12- 08- 10 MI DAILY DEVOTION (John 3:3)
CHANGE FROM THE INSIDE OUT
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
“Christ and sin are rivals for the soul of man, and here we are told how they both make their court to it, to have the innermost and uppermost place in it. The design of this representation is to set before us life and death, good and evil; and there needs no more than a fair stating of the case to determine us which of those to choose, and surrender our hearts to.
They are both brought in making entertainment for the soul, and inviting it to accept of the entertainment; concerning both we are told what the issue will be; and, the matter being thus laid before us, let us consider, take advice, and speak our minds. And we are therefore concerned to put a value upon our own souls, because we see there is such striving for them.”
(From the software- The Bible Collection, Proverbs chapter 9)
If you choose Christ, it means you are really choosing CHANGE. You change your position/spiritual standing from death to life, from being the son of the Devil, to be the Son of God. (John 8:44) “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”
We need to remember that people resists CHANGE. People are comfortable of their worldly pleasures and worldly life. They resist CHANGE, because they don’t want to be in a new Spiritual standing or condition.
Mr. Lee Iacocca once said, “Now I don’t know about you, but every time in my life I got secure and complacent, God threw me a curve. Looking back, I now see that it wasn’t a curve, it was a challenge. A challenge I needed. I had to shake off my complacency and change. Whenever you hear anyone saying, “Let’s keep doing things exactly the way we’ve been doing them for twenty years,” watch out, A shake-up is coming.”
The seasons change. Summer follows spring, and night follows day. Life is full of ups and downs. Business cycles go round and round. Events happen that rock your world: People in the family die. You get a divorce. You get fired. Your business goes under. I’ve been through all of these changes, and each time I’ve had to wake up and try something different.
Before you can deal with change, however, you have to see it. Then you have to accept it. Sometimes that’s the hardest part-acknowledging and then accepting that the way you’ve always done business or lived your life just won’t work anymore.” (Where Have All The Leaders Gone?) Lee Iacocca (page 112-113)
It make sense to me, I hope you would be open to CHANGE. Watch out for CURVE, your Path, Your way to CHANGE. (II Corinthians 5:17) “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
THE SPIRITUAL DANGER IN CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY
12- 06- 10 MI DAILY DEVOTION (II Timothy 3:3-5)
THE SPIRITUAL DANGER IN CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY
3- “Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4- Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures; 5- Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
According to Dictionary.com “fierce”- adjective, fierc·er, fierc·est. - menacingly wild, savage, or hostile: fierce animals; a fierce look 2- violent in force, intensity, etc.: fierce winds. 3- furiously eager or intense: fierce competition. 4- Informal . extremely bad or severe: a fierce cold.
The world around us is not getting any better. Because of hopelessness, many people from different parts of the world are becoming furious, violent or wild. It’s so sad that many of our children and our children’s children will reap the worst that is to come. We are facing a world and a future where so many people don’t have any regard for life at all. We are living in a hostile world and in a hostile generation. We are living in a generation that is opposed to that which is right. A generation where wrong is made right and right is made wrong. Righteousness and justice is not a common word to many homes, work place and even Countries.
“…despisers of those that are good,” If you will just imagine those words… The question is; how could a person in his/her right mind despised those that are good? But the truth is, it’s happening and some of the people all over the world were like that. No wonder people hate religion, the Word of God, the truth and God Himself. People knows that they are rejecting, hating, turned their back and look down on that which is good including the works of the Lord and the church of the living God. As the Lord’s disciples, we should be burdened, convicted and cry from the inside- out. The people’s heart and attitudes during the time of Habakkuk were all the same compared to our generation. Actually it’s the even from the time of Adam and Eve. (Habakkuk 1:1- 5) 1- “The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. 2- O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! 3- Why dost thou show me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention. 4- Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth. 5- Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.”
Sunday, December 5, 2010
“THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS”
12- 05- 10 MI DAILY DEVOTION (MATHEW 1: 18)
18- “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.”
she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.” (Luke 1:30- 31) 30- “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31- And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.”
Saturday, December 4, 2010
COMPARISON ON JESUS OF THE MANGER WITH KING SOLOMON
12- 04- 10 MI DAILY DEVOTION (Proverbs 8:13- 16)
COMPARISON ON JESUS OF THE MANGER WITH KING SOLOMON
13- “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. 14- Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. 15- By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. 16- By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
We have here the book of Proverbs as we believe that was penned by Solomon. His name signifies peaceable which says and can be seen and it shows in his character both of his spirit and of his life. David’s life was full of troubles while Solomon lived quietly and peaceably with his fellow men. Life is like a see- saw, but we must maintain a peaceful and quiet life. Solomon was called the son of David; it was his honour to be identified with King David and be in the line of the promised Messiah. He had been blessed with a good life, good education, was born in a good family circle, being a son of a prayerful father and was born in a kingdom and being one of the son of a king. Christ is often called the Son of David and Solomon was a type of Christ. Solomon was the king of Israel —The Lord Jesus Christ is the King of kings. Solomon was a good teacher and it shows in the Book of Proverbs; he said in many occasion, “hear my instructions” “listen to my instruction…” King Solomon was a man of wisdom and knowledge, but Jesus is the source of all wisdom and knowledge, including Solomon’s wisdom and knowledge; God gave it to him. Solomon feed the children of Israel, but Jesus feed the whole world from generations after generations… (I Kings 4:30; 10:24) 30- “And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. 31- For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.” Solomon was known and great among his people, but Jesus is the greatest to all people of every color, of every race, in every tongue and Nations and in every generations. Solomon can be compared to a man from age to age, but we cannot compare Jesus for He is God- the second person of the Holy Trinity. This Christmas, let us remember Jesus who was born in Bethlehem, but He died at the Cross of Calvary, because of His love for you and for me. (Proverbs 8:17) “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.”
Friday, December 3, 2010
HE IS THE SERVANT OF THE LORD (II)
12- 03- 10 MI DAILY DEVOTION (Proverbs 27:2)
HE IS THE SERVANT OF THE LORD (II)
“Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.”
I never heard him preached about “himself” except for some funny things about his life and other funny stories. He sometimes would share his life changing testimony, his life’s personal experiences that he used for illustrations which are in a sense acceptable in the Christian community. He was a Bible centered, Christ centered and God glorifying preacher who never missed to extend an invitation, especially to the lost world. A preacher who was theologically sound, family loving and focused, as well as a man with a servant’s heart whose desire was to be faithful to God and the ministry that the Lord had entrusted to him. To love him, to be faithful to him, pray for him and to follow his leadership is just fair enough and a great reward for him here on earth, especially to someone like him who loves the Lord you love. The way I looked at it, I did just pray for any differences I have with him and just slept over it ‘til I got up the next day and start all over again…, at least feeling refreshed the next day with the vision of working with him again.
He did not hear me say all these, but I believe that he will be able to read this and I know that he knows, that as one of his students, I stood with him, I supported his ministries and we know that Heaven is a place of fulfillment whereas, if the Lord will permit; God can let him read this portion of MI DAILY DEVOTION dedicated only for him in the Name of Jesus and for His Glory. Yes, I know he can’t hear all the good things that I was talking about him, but he knows that I was with him and for him during those days… I stood beside him and touched his soft skin and tapped him softly on his back while talking to him when I was in the Philippines and my family sang for him by his bed side when we were in the Philippines last 2007. I remember my children sang “Ten Thousand Years” and I can see in his face, in his eyes and eyebrows that he was responding as I was told and informed by Pastor James Lee Tica his youngest son.
We can’t change the “yesterdays” and the “failures of yesterdays”, but we can always do something for today and the future. If we really appreciate him, if we are really grateful to him for what he has done for us, for the Lord and for the ministry, will it not be fair to say; “sorry” to him even in our prayer…? Will it not be fair to help his ministry in some ways, pray for the ministry and the legacy he left us and if we are able to support financially, even just once a year, twice a year or if you can afford, you can do more.
Here was a man who gave up the leisure and the pleasures, the wealth, the opportunities in America and everything this great Nation can offer, but for the sake of the call, for God’s kingdom, for the Nationals and the Filipino people. A Pastor, who has a PHD, a Psychologist and was married to a nurse here in the United States of America, could live a life like a millionaire. And he could drive a sports car, have a 6 bedrooms house with 3 car garage and acquire all the good things this world can offer, a big lawn, but he trade all those good and worldly stuff for Jesus and the ministry in the Philippines. He gave up everything for Jesus and for His Glory.
(Hebrews 11:23- ) 23- “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. 24- By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25- Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26- Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. 27- By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.”
HE IS THE SERVANT OF THE LORD (II)
“Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.”
I never heard him preached about “himself” except for some funny things about his life and other funny stories. He sometimes would share his life changing testimony, his life’s personal experiences that he used for illustrations which are in a sense acceptable in the Christian community. He was a Bible centered, Christ centered and God glorifying preacher who never missed to extend an invitation, especially to the lost world. A preacher who was theologically sound, family loving and focused, as well as a man with a servant’s heart whose desire was to be faithful to God and the ministry that the Lord had entrusted to him. To love him, to be faithful to him, pray for him and to follow his leadership is just fair enough and a great reward for him here on earth, especially to someone like him who loves the Lord you love. The way I looked at it, I did just pray for any differences I have with him and just slept over it ‘til I got up the next day and start all over again…, at least feeling refreshed the next day with the vision of working with him again.
He did not hear me say all these, but I believe that he will be able to read this and I know that he knows, that as one of his students, I stood with him, I supported his ministries and we know that Heaven is a place of fulfillment whereas, if the Lord will permit; God can let him read this portion of MI DAILY DEVOTION dedicated only for him in the Name of Jesus and for His Glory. Yes, I know he can’t hear all the good things that I was talking about him, but he knows that I was with him and for him during those days… I stood beside him and touched his soft skin and tapped him softly on his back while talking to him when I was in the Philippines and my family sang for him by his bed side when we were in the Philippines last 2007. I remember my children sang “Ten Thousand Years” and I can see in his face, in his eyes and eyebrows that he was responding as I was told and informed by Pastor James Lee Tica his youngest son.
We can’t change the “yesterdays” and the “failures of yesterdays”, but we can always do something for today and the future. If we really appreciate him, if we are really grateful to him for what he has done for us, for the Lord and for the ministry, will it not be fair to say; “sorry” to him even in our prayer…? Will it not be fair to help his ministry in some ways, pray for the ministry and the legacy he left us and if we are able to support financially, even just once a year, twice a year or if you can afford, you can do more.
Here was a man who gave up the leisure and the pleasures, the wealth, the opportunities in America and everything this great Nation can offer, but for the sake of the call, for God’s kingdom, for the Nationals and the Filipino people. A Pastor, who has a PHD, a Psychologist and was married to a nurse here in the United States of America, could live a life like a millionaire. And he could drive a sports car, have a 6 bedrooms house with 3 car garage and acquire all the good things this world can offer, a big lawn, but he trade all those good and worldly stuff for Jesus and the ministry in the Philippines. He gave up everything for Jesus and for His Glory.
(Hebrews 11:23- ) 23- “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. 24- By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25- Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26- Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. 27- By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.”
Thursday, December 2, 2010
HE IS THE SERVANT OF THE LORD
12- 02- 10 MI DAILY DEVOTION
HE IS THE SERVANT OF THE LORD
(Philippians 1:21- 21) “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. 21- For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
The first time I met him was in a church anniversary, it was my first time to hear a very dynamic, funny and powerful message and preacher. The next time I met him was in his office when we were talking about me enrolling in a Bible College. I discussed to him about my financial situation and my academic problems when I was in high school in which I never get to finished. He talked to me about what kind of life I would have if I’d be enrolled. He talked to me about the ministry and the Pastorate that day. When we talked in his office, I can see in his eyes the strong personality in him and I can see love in his eyes every time I talked to him about my personal problems and needs, as well as the needs of others. He helped me be enrolled in a Bible College without any financial expectations. One day, I came to him about the problems of my families and friends with the government and the business sectors regarding our dwellings. People who wanted to demolished our homes for their own interests. He took time right away, writing a letter for the Government and a certain individual to stop their plan of demolishing the whole area. He used Alliance for Democracy And Morality (ADAM) to help me with my problems.
One day he approached me about going to Subic which was for me was not really a good idea, but I went anyways. After a few years of my stay in Subic, I did not regret I obeyed him. He was right and I know it was God’s leading through him. After my 7 years of stay in Subic; late of 1992, I talked to him again in his office about going to the States and telling him that the Lord was leading me to a Mission field in the United States of America. He paused and looked at me in my eyes and said, “Ely, that’s the joke of the Century. Do you know what some of our Pastors and churches are going through in the States right now?” I did not say anything, but just looked at him in his eyes in spite of the fact that I felt like I was going to melt with that strong personality and power in his face and eyes. In my heart, I know he do not have any idea what God is putting in my heart. With his discernment, he changed the conversation and said, “I’ll send you to the States to represent our Mission Board to raise money for the ship ministry. And he made it happen.
I watched this man work like a construction workers when he was working the dirty and hard labor jobs. I’ve watched him when we were working at the Antipolo Camp site. He worked as hard as he can when he was in a farm and he worked like a farmer. I’ve watched him mixed the cement, painted the church and work like there’s no more tomorrow to come. I saw him talked to the less fortunate and the needy as he extends his hand and heart to them. He cried when someone’s hurt and he visited the sick in the hospital and in their homes. He stood with me and with the Pastors who were going through tough times at church, in their marriages and family problems and he remembers the street children on Christmas times like this. He was not ashamed to ask for help in behalf of the needy and for the Pastors’ support especially those who are from the Provinces who do not have enough. He was the first one who would be there if there was a natural calamity. He loves the Lord, his wife and children. He loves his Pastors and his staff, as well as his students in his Bible College; International Baptist Theological College in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila. He is a leader who did not use his subordinates for his own interest and benefits, but he used all his resources to be of help to others. He was not thinking of himself or become selfish but self-less. He was hurt by many and was criticized, but he kept on serving the Lord faithfully until he got sick. He is the Pastor of Pastors of IBMF Philippines. He is the author of the best seller book in the Philippines- “Ngayon Ikaw ay Kristiano Na…” – “Now That You Are a Christian…” He was the founder of International Baptist Church of Mandaluyong. He was the founder of Gideon 300 Radio and Television Ministry. And so much more… time and space will restrict us to do so... I’m so proud to know this man and I’m so proud he knows me and my whole family. He is my friend, my mentor, my leader, my co laborer, fellow soldier; His name is Dr. Gavino S. Tica who went to be with our Lord in heaven today (last night in the Philippines). “Doc” as many called you, we love you and we appreciate what had done for us, for the churches and the work of the Lord and to the whole Country- the Philippines. Enjoy your time with Jesus, Ate Grace and those who went before you…
(Revelation 21:4) “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
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