There is always hope

“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” Romans‬ ‭8:24-25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It's easy to despair when all you see around you is pain and suffering, injustice and evil, hatred and division, etc. The list can go on and on. There is ample reason why many today feel hopeless. When you're hopeless, you're willing to settle for anything that can give you a glimmer of hope, even if that option is not the best option. Something is better than nothing, you reason. In fact, if you really think about it, the problem in our country, the Philippines, is nothing less than hopelessness. Majority have lost hope. Many have given up. There's nothing to look forward to as far as the future is concerned. Is this how you feel?

As a follower of Jesus Christ, I cannot but have hope because God has made certain promises about the present and also the future. I know it may be hard to believe, but God promises a new and better world someday. But He also promises a better life today. This is what the word of God says. Therefore, I cannot live my life without hope. I cannot make choices based on desperation. I will choose based on hope. I will conduct my present life based on God's present and future promises. Despair, for me, is not a option. God is and will always be faithful.

If you're feeling hopeless today, stop focusing on the problems all around you. Focus on God's precious promises. They are true today and they will be true tomorrow. Look to Him who is faithful and true. Everything else may crumble all around you, but the word of the Lord stands forever! Expect better things from here on and unto eternity. Trust in Jesus! Shalom! (PB)

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Real Life Through Christ

17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! (Romans 5:17)

Because of one man’s disobedience, the whole world suffers today. Pain and misery is now the lot of all men and women, young or old. No one escapes the consequences of sin. It produces death in many different ways.

This happens even today, when we choose to disregard His will. It may not appear immediately, but our souls will surely die. We may appear happy and fulfilled on the outside, but soon sin will require its payment. We will inevitably feel the emptiness of being separated from God, because that is the consequence of sin. Nothing in this world can fill this up, because only God can fully satisfy our souls.

But now, through faith in Jesus Christ, our souls can be healed. God’s abundant provision of grace and of the free gift of righteousness will bring life again into our weary souls. We will live again! Instead of misery and pain, righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit will fill our souls. Jesus Christ will enable us to experience a life that is so much better than the best life we can ever imagine! All we have to do is just to turn from a life of sin and surrender our hearts to Jesus. Let Him heal you from the consequences of sin. Let Him give you real life. Stop running your life; you will only ruin it. Instead choose the real life that only God can give you through faith in Jesus Christ. Shalom! (PB)

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Claim Your Forgiveness Daily

10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:10-11)

If you can read the Old Testament, and read all those passages about God’s attitude toward sin, you can appreciate how precious forgiveness is, especially if God is the One who initiates it. Sin separates us from God, and all the blessings that we can receive from Him, except for grace. Grace is constant, because it is in God’s nature to love and give to us, even though we do not deserve anything from Him. We should rejoice with all our hearts if God is offering us forgiveness, because it is pure grace, nothing more and nothing less.

At the same time, forgiveness is powerful. It empowers us to live differently. When the Lord forgives, He also sets us free to make new choices according to His will, to enable us to start all over again, so to speak. Such grace is indeed powerful, especially when what we have done deserves the worst kind of punishment, even death itself! God can transform us, giving us new desires, godly desires, and also the ability to fulfill them by His power. In other words, God can give us life again!

Last but not the least, God’s forgiveness is a promise, a promise that we can always claim everyday. It is not limited nor does it expire. It is a promise that God keeps because of His Son, Jesus Christ. We can always come to God through Jesus and seek forgiveness in His name, and He will forgive us every time and any time. Such is the grace of God upon our lives today, more grace on top of more grace each day, because of our Savior, Jesus Christ. So claim your forgiveness everyday, treating it as precious, powerful and a promise that you can always claim in Jesus’ name. Shalom! (PB)

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No Eye Has Seen

“What no eye has seen,
    what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”—
    the things God has prepared for those who love him—

1 Corinthians 2:9

It's easy to think that this verse might be referring to something that happens only when you die. But looking at this verse closely, and especially when you take into consideration the context, you will see that this verse is not just a promise for the future (and of course, there is that idea as well). Instead it's also a promise for the present time. There is a better life that is so much better than the best life you can ever imagine, and it can start right now! Eternal life begins today! This life is no other than the life that you can only receive and experience through faith in Jesus Christ. It's the only life worth having and living. The way to experience it is by remembering the acrostic LOVE. First, you need to learn from Jesus. Make sure that you are receiving inputs from God's word on a regular basis. Let Jesus teach you about what life is really all about. Second, obey His word. Let the word of God dwell richly in your heart, but make sure you obey it. His wisdom is useless unless you put it into practice. This will result not just in life transformation but in knowing God's will for your life -- His good, pleasing and perfect will. Third, value key relationships. You need to prioritize your love for the lost, for the found (i.e. for fellow believers), and for your family. Neglecting these key relationships will lead to an emptiness of your soul. Finally, embrace your calling. Where you are is where God called you to be. Serve Him there. You can experience the joy of serving God wherever you are, if you do all things for His glory. You are called to be a child of God, a member of God's family, and an ambassador of God's kingdom -- wherever you are! Embrace it and fulfill this calling! When you follow these simple disciplines, which I would refer to as "living a life of LOVE," you will experience a life that is so much better than the best life you can ever imagine. Shalom! (PB)

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21 New Followers of Christ Water Baptized

We thank God for the results of Freedom Day yesterday (June 12, 2015). Twenty one new followers of Christ were water baptized. All in all twenty nine people attended the event. About thirty RLCCnians worked together to make the event a success. I want to affirm all of them for a job well done. Thank you, Lord, for this wonderful day! Please watch this short video of the candidates going down the staircase from the worship hall and into the portable swimming pool outside in order to be water baptized one by one. To God be the glory!

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