Reflections - A Christian Blog

Love For Enemies

2009-12-19T13:28:00.000-08:00

"But I tell you who hear Me: Love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you, bless those who
curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to
him the other also.
If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him
from taking your tunic.
Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone
takes what belongs to you, do not demand it
back.
Do to others as you would have them do to you.

If you love those who love you, what credit is
that to you?
Even 'sinners' love those who love them.
And if you do good to those who are good to
you, what credit is that to you?
Even 'sinners' do that.
And if you lend to those from whom you
expect repayment, what credit is that to you?
Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to
be repaid in full.

But love your enemies, do good to them, and
lend to them without expecting to get anything
back.
Then your reward will be great, and you will be
sons of the Most High, because He is kind to
the ungrateful and wicked.
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."

Luke 6: 27-36

This preaching of Jesus Christ admonishing us to a radical way of life is better than the golden rule. This is divine love expressed in human terms. To His beloved children, He expects better behavior than the ordinary unbelievers who also love those who love them and lend to those from whom they expect repayment. Jesus wants us to follow His way of doing good without expecting anything in return, even a word of gratitude or acknowledgment. We do our good deeds to honor and glorify our Lord and never to appear righteous before men. If our good deeds in the name of our Lord are noticed by unbelievers, then they will praise our heavenly Father for whom we do all our righteous acts. These might lead them to follow our ways and to learn the Gospel of salvation and truth. We should never do things to explicitly appear righteous before men. If we can do that, then our heavenly Father shall give us a crown of glory that He has prepared for those who follow His will and give glory to His name.

I Love You With The Love Of The Lord

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Love Your Enemies, Bless Those Who Curse You, Give To Everyone Who Asks You, Do Good To All, Will Of God, Sons Of Most High, Crown Of Glory, For His Glory Alone, Live To Please God

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Word of God/Gospel/Holy Bible

The Coming Of The Lord

2009-12-16T11:18:00.000-08:00

"Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about
those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men,
who have no hope.
We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we
believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have
fallen asleep in Him.
According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we
who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the
Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen
asleep.

For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven,
with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel
and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ
will rise first.
After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught
up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord
in the air.
And so we will be with the Lord forever."

1Thessalonians 4: 13-17

This is a most wonderful promise for those who are faithful in Christ till the end. The Lord will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God. This will be a most glorious day for the Lord, for He will be revealed with all glory, with pomp and pageantry for all the world to behold and marvel. He left the world in shame and ignominy, He will be coming back in full splendor and glory befitting that of the King of kings and Lord of lords. Those who were dead in Christ will rise first. Then those who are faithful to the Lord and are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and to be with Him forevermore. This is the grand rapture of the children of God.

You'll Come - Hillsong

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Coming of The Lord, Day of The Lord, Second Coming, Loud Command, Voice of The Archangel, Trumpet Call of God, Faithful in Christ, Most Glorious Day, Pomp and Pageantry, Behold and Marvel, Shame and Ignominy, Full Splendor and Glory, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Grand Rapture, Children of God, Word of God, Holy Bible

Posted byMel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Word of God/Gospel/Holy Bible

Trust Only In God

2009-12-11T12:26:00.000-08:00

"This is what the Lord says, 'Cursed is the one who
trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength
and whose heart turns away from the Lord.
He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not
see prosperity when it comes.
He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in
a salt land where no one lives.

But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose
confidence is in Him.
He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends
out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are
always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought and never
fails to bear fruit."

Jeremiah 17: 5-8

If we trust more on our own strength or on other men, then our efforts are doomed to failure because we did not place our trust in God. In so doing, we are rejecting God and are exalting ourselves or others. Our God is a jealous God. He will never tolerate those who reject Him and in the process, put their own selves or others in a pedestal. They will experience great failure and despair in the end. Not so with those who trust in the Lord. They shall be like a tree planted near the stream whose roots shoot out in the nearby water. They shall always bear fruit in season. They will always experience blessings and protection from the Lord. Whatever they do will surely prosper and succeed.

Trust Video - Proverbs 3:5-6 - Sharefaith
(Please see this video and be inspired)

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust Only In God, Man Is Unreliable, Confidence In God, Like A Tree Planted By The Water, Bear Fruit, Sustenance, Divine Providence, Love, Joy, Peace, Protection, Guidance, Eternal Life, Salvation, Word of God, Holy Bible

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Gospel/Word of God/Holy Bible

Doing Good To All

2009-12-08T20:57:00.000-08:00

"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.
A man reaps what he sows.
The one who sows to please his sinful nature,
from that nature will reap destruction;
the one who sows to please the Spirit, from
the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Let us not become weary in doing good,
for at the proper time we will reap a harvest
if we do not give up.
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do
good to all people, especially to those who
belong to the family of believers."

Galatians 6: 7-10

We are not saved by righteous deeds alone but by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. But after we have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit when we were born again, we must do our righteous acts in the name of Jesus to honor the Lord. We cannot go on doing evil deeds or sins and still expect the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. Sin or any other unrighteous acts grieve the Holy Spirit and He convicts us immediately so that we can confess our sins and be cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. Even if our good deeds remain unnoticed, we must persist in doing them for they give glory to the Lord and they become the most effective method of attracting unbelievers to our faith.

Joy To The World

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Joy To The World, Doing Good To All, Reaping and Sowing, Sinful Nature, Eternal Life, Harvest, Galatians 6: 7-10, Righteous Deeds, Grace, Faith, Born Again, Baptism of The Holy Spirit, Confess, Blood of Jesus Christ, Unappreciated, Unbelievers, Salvation, Love, Peace, Joy, Word of God, Holy Bible

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Word of God/Holy Bible/Gospel

Sons of God

2009-11-30T11:40:00.000-08:00

"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,
for all of you who were baptized into Christ have
clothed yourselves with Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male
nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed
and heirs according to the promise."

Galatians 3: 26-29

Those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and savior and who have put their faith in Him are called sons of God. Those who were baptized into Christ and who have clothed themselves with Christ's righteousness and holiness are co-heirs with Him of the kingdom of God. This reinforces the promise in John 1:12 which says, "Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." Thus, when we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and savior and have surrendered our lives to Him, we became new creations in Christ and our former selves, steeped in weakness and sinfulness, have already passed away and have already been crucified with Christ at Calvary. We now assume our new identities as children and sons of God able to do righteous deeds through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, who has made the inner chamber of our hearts His very own sacred temple.

Faith - Hillsong

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Sons of God, Children of God, Faith, Baptism, Baptized Into Christ, Abraham's Seed, Lord and Savior, Born Again, Co-Heirs With Jesus Christ, Heavenly Kingdom, New Creations, Weaknesses, Sinfulness, Crucified, Calvary, Ministry of The Holy Spirit, Word of God, Love, Joy, Peace, Eternal Life, Holy Bible

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Gospel/Word of God

Treasures In Jars Of Clay

2009-11-20T11:03:00.000-08:00

"The god of this age has blinded the minds
of unbelievers, so that they cannot see
the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ,
who is the image of God.

For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of
darkness,' made His light shine in our
hearts to give us the light of the knowledge
of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to
show that this all-surpassing power is from
God and not from us."

2Corinthians 4:4; 4: 6-7

People, who have not accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and savior and who have not been born again, are blinded and cannot see the glory of the word of God. For they are steeped in sins and are still in the state of depravity. They laugh and make fun of those who follow the way of the Lord as presented in the Bible. But the Holy Spirit, who dwells in our hearts as His very temple, made His light shine in our hearts to give us the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. And to show that His light and His power came from God and not from men, He placed this light and His power in jars of clay (our puny mortal bodies) to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from men. As we continue to follow the way of Christ in living in this transient and decadent world, we reflect the glory of Christ in our lives transformed by the Holy Spirit from glory to glory until we reach the whole measure of the fullness of Jesus Christ where we shine like shining stars in the firmament of heaven.

We Will See Him - Hillsong

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Treasures, Jars of Clay, Blinded The Minds, Unbelievers, Light of The Gospel, Glory of Christ, Image of God, Darkness, All-Surpassing Power, Lord and Savior, Born Again, Word of God, Steeped in Sins, State of Depravity, Way of The Lord, Temple of The Holy Spirit, Knowledge, Transient, Decadent World, Fullness of Christ, Holy Bible

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Gospel/Word of God/Holy Bible

The Day Of The Lord

2009-11-16T11:55:00.000-08:00

"Now brothers, about times and dates we do not
need to write to you, for you know very well that
the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
While people are saying, 'Peace and safety,'
destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor
pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

But you, brothers, are not in darkness that this day
should surprise you like a thief.
You are all sons of the light and sons of the day.
We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep,
but let us be alert and self-controlled."
1Thessalonians 5: 1-6

The Lord will come like a thief in the night while majority of the people least expect of it. People who are living in sin and worldly pleasures have already developed a hardened heart. Since they refused to listen to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit warning them of an impending doom if they continue to disregard His voice in their conscience and still continue to wallow in sinful living, their hearts became hardened and their conscience became immune to the voice of God. Most of these people turn to hollow philosophies and other deceptive teachings to justify their evil ways. When the Lord comes, their evil ways will be exposed and they will receive their due punishment. Not so with the children of light who keeps their spiritual fire burning in their hearts. They live in total obedience to the will of the Lord and live righteous lives. They are ever expectant of the eventual coming of the Lord and are praying hard and trusting God to overcome their trials in life.

Find Us Faithful - Steve Green

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Brothers, Times And Dates, Day Of The Lord, Thief In The Night, Peace and Safety, Destruction, Labor Pains, Pregnant Woman, Darkness, Sons of The Light, Alert, Self Controlled, Hardened Heart , Still Small Voice, Conscience, Sinful Living, Voice of God, Hollow Philosophies, Deceptive Teachings, Total Obedience, Spiritual Fire, Prayers, Find Us Faithful

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Word of God/Gospel

Imitating Christ's Humility

2009-11-11T11:33:00.000-08:00

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit,
but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Each of you should look not only to your own interests,
but also to the interests of others.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the 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.
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled
Himself and became obedient to death- even death on
a cross!

Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave
Him the name that is above every name, that at the name
of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth
and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus
Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Philippians 2: 3-11

We must imitate Christ by being obedient to God's will and by exercising humility. We must not only think of our own interests but also the interests of others. We must follow Christ's examples of perfect obedience to His Father's will and extreme humility. Jesus Christ, being the only begotten Son of God, adored by countless angels in heaven and saints on earth, became obedient to the will of the Father to redeem lost humanity. He was born in the most humble way imaginable- among lowly animals in a manger on a stable. He became obedient to the will of the Father even up to His own death on the cross. He never thought of His own welfare and safety but sacrificed His very Self to reopen the doors of heaven to men. How many of us can imitate Christ's ways of becoming obedient and humble? We can cooperate with the Holy Spirit for the complete transformation of our selfish selves to the selfless attitude reflective of Jesus Christ.

He Knows My Name - Tommy Walker

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Humility, Selfish Ambition, Vain Conceit, Attitude, Servant, Obedient, Exalted, Name, Knee, Bow, Tongue, Confess, Imitation of Christ, Interest, Salvation, Welfare of Others, Selfless, He Knows Our Names

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Gospel/Holy Bible

The Fruit Of The Spirit

2009-11-01T12:34:00.000-08:00

"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify
the desires of the sinful nature.
For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to
the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the
sinful nature.
They are in conflict with each other, so that you
do not do what you want.
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under
law.

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual
immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry
and witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of
rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and
envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like.
I warn you, as I did before, that those who live
like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self control.
Against such things there is no law.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have
crucified the sinful nature with its passions
and desires.
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in
step with the Spirit."

Galatians 5: 16-25

When we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and savior and became born again, we have already discarded our old self of sinfulness and evil desires. Then we became new creations in Christ nurtured by the Holy Spirit to do good deeds as fruits of righteousness. We must never live again as we did before, satisfying the desires of our evil nature. If we still keep on doing our old evil ways, we will be alienated from God and will grieve the Holy Spirit. Backsliding and prolonged separation from the Holy Spirit will result in the hardening of our heart and the suppression of our conscience. There will come a time when we will no longer hear the voice of the Holy Spirit nor be convicted of our sinful acts. The safe way is to live by the Spirit, by surrendering our will and life to God. That way, we will be cooperating in the work of the Holy Spirit to transform us from the lowly humans that we were to become the children of God, doing righteous acts for the glory of God alone.

Holy Spirit Come Fill This Place - Cece Winans

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Fruit of The Holy Spirit, Live By The Spirit, Desires. Sinful Nature, Conflict, Sexual Immorality, Impurity, Debauchery, Idolatry, Witchcraft, Hatred, Discord, Jealousy, Fits of Rage, Selfish Ambition, Dissensions, Factions, Envy, Drunkenness, Orgies, Kingdom of God, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self Control, Crucified, Passions, Word of God, Holy Bible

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Word of God/Gospel/Holy Bible

Live By The Spirit As Children Of God

2009-10-22T13:38:00.000-07:00

"For if you live according to the sinful nature,

you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to

death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,

because those who are led by the Spirit of God

are sons of God.

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you

a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit

of sonship.

And by Him we cry, Abba, Father.

The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that

we are God's children.

Now if we are children, then we are heirs- heirs

of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we

share in His sufferings in order that we may also

share in His glory."

Romans 8: 13-17

When we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and savior and became born again, we became children of God and co-heirs with Jesus Christ in the Kingdom of God. Now as children of God, we must put off our former way of life when we were yet slave to sin. We must live by the Spirit, sustained by the infinite grace of God. We must cooperate with the Holy Spirit for the full transformation of our lowly selves until we reach the whole measure of the fullness of Jesus Christ. Then we truly become the light of the world and the salt of the earth, doing our righteous fruits for the glory of our living God who has given us all spiritual gifts according to His infinite grace.

Amazing Grace - Hayley Westenra

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Live By The Spirit, Children of Light, Amazing Grace, Sons of God, Children of God, Co-Heirs With Jesus Christ, Transformation, Light of The World, Salt of The Earth, Spiritual Gifts

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla

Philippines

Spiritual/Word of God/Gospel

Jesus Is The Gate And The Good Shepherd

2009-10-14T16:54:00.000-07:00

"I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.

All who ever came before Me were thieves and

robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.

I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will

be saved.

He will come in and go out, and find pasture.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;

I have come that they may have life, and have it

to the full.

I am the good shepherd; I know My sheep and

My sheep know Me- just as the Father knows

Me and I know the Father- and I lay down My

life for the sheep.

I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen.

I must bring them also.

They too will listen to My voice, and there shall

be one flock and one shepherd."

John 10:7-10 , 10:14-16

Jesus Christ is the gate and also the good shepherd. All the others who came before Him were all thieves and robbers. He is the only way to salvation and nobody can enter heaven except through Him. He is a good shepherd who knows the name of each and every sheep He has. He calls them by their name and they listen to His voice. Jesus is the good shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep so that they may enjoy eternal life. He knows that there are other sheep not belonging to His sheep pen. He longs to bring them to His sheep pen too so that the day will come when there will be but one sheep pen and one shepherd. We are all called upon to gather the lost sheep of God and bring them to the sheep pen of the Lord so that they may also enjoy abundant and eternal life.

All Things Are Possible - Hillsong

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Gate, Good Shepherd, Thieves, Robbers, Sheep, Pasture, Kill, Steal, Destroy, Abundant Life, Sheep Pen, Voice, Call Them By Name

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla

Philippines

Spiritual/Gospel/Word of God

Wisdom And Humility- The Keys To A Life Pleasing To God

2009-09-24T11:30:00.000-07:00

"Pride goes before destruction,

a haughty spirit before a fall.

Better to be lonely in spirit and

among the oppressed than to

share plunder with the proud.

Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,

and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.

The wise in heart are called discerning,

and pleasant words promote instructions.

Understanding is a fountain of life

to those who have it,

but folly brings punishment to fools.

A wise man's heart guides his mouth,

and his lips promote instructions.

Pleasant words are a honeycomb,

sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

There is a way that seems right to a man,

but in the end it leads to death."

Proverbs 16: 18-25

The Bible says, "that fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." A reverential fear of the Lord, whereby we avoid everything that will cause any displeasure to Him and alienate us with our Creator, is the right path to a righteous living. And humility is a virtue highly esteemed by the Lord. He brings down those who are proud and conceited and promote the cause of the lowly and humble of heart. Without wisdom and discernment, we may be living a life that seems pleasing to our eyes but without God's discerning wisdom in our heart, that same lifestyle might lead us to eternal death. Blind are those who follow their heart's desires for pleasure and fame. They are treading a wide path to destruction. Better to be humble and have a discerning heart that will teach us to follow the narrow path to eternal life with the Lord.

Majesty

Open Our Eyes

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Wisdom, Humility, Pride, Destruction, Blessings, Discernment, Understanding, Fountain of Life, Folly, Punishment, Pleasant Words, Word of God, Eternal Life, Grace, Love, Peace, Joy, Born Again, Holy Bible, Kingdom of God

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla

Philippines

Spiritual/Gospel/Word of God

Be Imitators Of God

2009-09-19T13:08:00.000-07:00

"Do not let unwholesome talk come out of

your mouths, but only what is helpful for

building others up according to their needs,

that it may benefit those who listen.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,

with whom you were sealed for the day of

redemption.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger,

brawling and slander, along with every form

of malice.

Be kind and compassionate to one another,

forgiving each other, just as in Christ God

forgave you.

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly

loved children and live a life of love, just as

Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us

as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

Ephesians 4:29- 5:2

We must be imitators of God as children of light. God became man in Jesus Christ to show us the way to righteousness and truth. The sign that we are really the children of God is, if we have love in our hearts. We must not only love God but also our neighbors as ourselves. We can do this if we are always in filled with the Holy Spirit. We must avoid all kinds of negative emotions and feelings as well as useless arguments. They only lead to pride and self righteousness. The way to heaven is the way of the cross, if we can truly humble ourselves and follow the way of the Lord.

Here I Am To Worship - Hillsong

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Imitators of God, Worship, Name of The Lord, Salvation, Grace, Born Again, Lord and Savior, Love, Joy, Peace, Blessings, Eternal Life, Kingdom of God, Hillsong, Here I Am To Worship

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla

Spiritual/Word of God/Gospel

A Prayer Of Paul For All Christians

2009-09-11T13:56:00.000-07:00

"And we pray this in order that you may live a life

worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every

way: bearing fruit in in every good work, growing

in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with

all power according to His glorious might so that

you may have great endurance and patience, and

joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has

qualified you to share in the inheritance of the

saints in the kingdom of the light.

For He has rescued us from the dominion of

darkness and brought us into the kingdom of

the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption,

the forgiveness of sins."

Colossians 1: 10-14

This is the prayer of Paul to the Colossians which might as well be his prayer also for all Christians. He admonished Christians to become aware of their glorious light and their responsibility while living in the world. He admonished Christians to live a life worthy of the Lord, doing everything in order to please Him and give glory to His name and bearing fruits in all their actions. He reminded them that Christ rescued them from the dominion of darkness and brought them to the kingdom of light through Christ's atoning death on the cross. He also reminded them that they were being strengthened with all power from on high so that they can live a life of patience and endurance.

Still - Hillsong

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Prayer, Paul, Christians, Colossians, Word of God, Bible, Fruits, Gifts, Glory of God, Kingdom of Light, Salvation, Eternal Life, Amazing Grace, Love, Joy, Peace, Crown of Righteousness, Finishing The Race, Victor's Prize

Posted by Mel Avila Alarilla

Philippines

Word of God/Gospel/Inspirational/Spiritual

Spiritual Blessings In Christ

2009-08-16T19:50:00.000-07:00

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the
heavenly realms, with every spiritual blessing
in Christ.
For He chose us in Him before the creation
of the world to be holy and blameless in His
sight.

In love He predestined us to be adopted as
His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance
with the riches of God's grace that He lavished
on us with all wisdom and understanding.

And He made known to us the mystery of
His will according to His good pleasure, which
He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect
when the times will have reached their fulfillment-
to bring all things in heaven and on earth together
under one head, even Christ.

Ephesians 1: 3- 10

This is a sublime mystery of God's great love and plan for those He has chosen even before the creation of the world. God, in His all encompassing wisdom and knowledge, foreknew those who will accept Jesus Christ whom He has sent to save the world from eternal damnation. All graces and blessings in the heavenly realms were bestowed on those who will heed the call of Jesus Christ for salvation. We have been forgiven and redeemed by the most precious blood of Jesus Christ and we await the fulfillment of God's grand plan: TO BRING ALL THINGS IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH TOGETHER UNDER ONE HEAD- JESUS CHRIST.

Amazing Love

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Salvation, Spiritual Blessings, Amazing Love, Eternal Life, Grace, Wisdom, Power, Love, Joy, Peace, Transformation, Man, World, Struggle, Trials, Deliverance

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Inspirational/Gospel

The Prayer Of Habakkuk

2009-07-10T14:43:00.000-07:00

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no
grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food, though there are
no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in
God my savior.

The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my
feet like the feet of a deer
He enables me to go on the heights."

Habakkuk 3: 17-19

We must praise and worship God not only in times of plenty and abundance of blessings but even in times of extreme sorrows and trials. We must trust God that the momentary troubles we are encountering will easily vanish as soon as the lesson to be learned from it is absorbed. God never delights in causing unnecessary pains and misfortunes to His faithful children, but He sometimes test the sincerity and faithfulness of all His chosen ones. To those who will overcome all the temptations and trials that come in their way, a righteous crown of glory awaits them. So we praise and worship God even in the midst of the most burdensome trial. We will always see that glorious light at the end of the tunnel.

Open Our Eyes Lord

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Praise, Worship, Testing, Trials, Overcome, Patience, Faith, Hope, Love, Joy, Peace, Eternal Life, Bliss, Kingdom of God, Heaven, Earth, Temporal, Eternal

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Inspirational/

God's Sovereignty And The Power Of His Words

2009-06-08T18:11:00.000-07:00

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither
are your ways My ways, declares the Lord.
As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are
My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts
than your thoughts.

As the rain and snow come down from heaven,
and do not return to it without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields
seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is
My word that goes out from My mouth:
It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish
what I desire and achieve the purpose for which
I sent it."

Isaiah 55: 8-11

We will never fully understand God's ways and thoughts for they are beyond our understanding. We just have to focus on His divine love and mercy and trust Him with all our hearts that He will do to us what is best for us. As a loving father that gives all that he has to his beloved child, will not our heavenly Father give us what is best for us? If He did not withhold His beloved Son for our salvation, will He not give the very best for us if we ask in the name of Jesus? God always gives us what we need and not what we want.

You Are Holy (Prince of Peace) - Michael Smith

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Sovereignty, Power, Word of God, Prince of Peace, Holy, Eternal Life, Salvation, Joy, Love, Peace, Bible

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Gospel/Word of God

Prayer For The Filling Of The Holy Spirit

2009-05-21T14:29:00.000-07:00

"I Pray that out of His glorious riches
He may strengthen you with power
through His Spirit in your inner being,
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts
through faith.
And I pray that you, being rooted and
established in love, may have power,
together with all the saints, to grasp
how wide and long and high and deep
is the love of Christ, and to know this
love that surpasses knowledge- that
you my be filled to the measure of all
the fullness of God."

Ephesians 3: 16-19

This is a powerful prayer uttered by Paul originally to the church of Ephesus. This prayer summarizes the vast and limitless power of God that is open to all believers and serves as a formula to tap the vast powers of God in the entire universe that is centered in Jesus Christ. Being adopted sons of God and co-heirs with Jesus Christ in the kingdom of God, we have the same access to this unlimited power through faith in Jesus Christ.

Open The Eyes Of My Heart Lord

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Prayer, Glory, Power, Faith, Ephesians, Word of God, Bible, Paul, Saints, Believers, Universe, Adopted Sons, Co-Heirs, Kingdom of God, Rapture

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Inspirational

The Resurrection Body

2009-05-05T14:15:00.000-07:00

"So will it be with the resurrection of the dead.
The body that is sown is perishable,
it is raised imperishable;
it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory;
it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power;
it is sown a natural body,
it is raised a spiritual body.

If there is a natural body, there is also a
spiritual body.
So it is written: 'The first man Adam became
a living being;
the last Adam, a life giving spirit.
The spiritual did not come first, but the natural,
and after that the spiritual.

The first man was of the dust of the earth,
the second man from heaven.
As was the earthly man, so are those who are
of the earth;
and as is the man from heaven, so also are
those who are of heaven.
And just as we have borne the likeness of the
earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of
the man from heaven."

1Corinthians 15: 42- 49

We must not think too much of our physical body because it is earthly and will be reduced to dust after we die. Giving it the right amount of food and care should be sufficient enough. Let us not over indulge and pamper our bodies as though they will last forever. We must focus our attention on our spiritual body which will remain even after our death. We must do everything to conform to the pattern given to us by our Lord Jesus Christ- to live a holy and righteous life pleasing and approved by God. We take on the holiness and righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ imputed upon us when we were born again and became a light of the world and the salt of the earth for the glory of our God.

Let Your Glory Fall - Don Moen

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Resurrection, Glorious Body, Heaven, Glory, Lamb, Eternal Life, Salvation, Grace, Faith, Born Again, Word of God, Bible, Joy, Love, Peace, Patience, Perseverance, Children of God

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Gospel/Word of God

We Are A New Creation In Christ

2009-04-21T02:49:00.000-07:00

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
the old has gone, the new has come!
All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself
through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ,
not counting men's sins against them.
And He committed to us the message of reconciliation.

We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though
God were making His appeal through us.
We implore you on Christ behalf: Be reconciled to God.
God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that
in Him we might become the righteousness of God."

2Corinthians 5: 17-21

We are now new creations in Christ. The old sinful, disobedient self is gone. The new child of God has come. We are tasked to bring to the world, God's message of reconciliation. God made Christ who was sinless to be a sin offering in behalf of the world, so that we might gain Christ's righteousness if we accept Him as our Lord and savior. Our very life, our actions and words must reflect the glory of God so that men will be attracted to what we believe in. We must become the light of the world and the salt of the earth for the glory of God and the emancipation of man from their slavery to Satan's curses of sin, disease and death.

I Am A New Creation - Sarah Sadler

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, New Creation, Ambassadors of Christ, Righteousness, 2Corinthians 5: 17-21, Bible, Word of God, Grace, Salvation, Hope, Joy, Love, Peace, Children of God

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Gospel Message

Love

2009-04-04T01:47:00.000-07:00

"Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast,
it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self- seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no
record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil,
but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.

And now these three remains:
faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love."

1Corinthians 13:4-8a, 13:13

Love is the very essence of the whole of creation. Out of pure, divine love, God created the universe. Out of His great love for mankind, He gave man the chance
to reestablish his fellowship with God through the sacrifice of His only only begotten Son- Jesus Christ. God is love. That is His very essence, His innate nature. His love and mercy never fails. They are new every morning. If we love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and if we love our fellowmen as we love ourselves, then we partake of that same divine essence that our God is made of. We partake of His divine nature.

More Precious Than Silver

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Grace, Salvation, Love, Hope, Eternal Life, Joy, Patience, Charity, Perseverance, Peace, Kindness, Goodness, Humility, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Self Control, Kingdom of God

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Gospel/Word of God/Bible

Flee From Sexual Immorality

2009-03-18T16:21:00.000-07:00

"The body is not meant for sexual immorality,
but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
By His power God raised the Lord from the
dead, and He will raise us also.

Do you know that your bodies are members
of Christ Himself?
Shall I then take the members of Christ and
unite them with a prostitute?
Never! Do you know that he who unites
himself with a prostitute is one with her in
body? For it is said, 'The two will become
one flesh.' But he who unites himself with
the Lord is one with Him in spirit.

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins
a man commits are outside his body, but he
who sins sexually sins against his own body.

Do you not know that your body is a temple
of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you
have received from God?
You are not your own; you were brought at
a price.
Therefore honor God with your body."

1 Corinthians 6: 13b- 20

When we have accepted Christ as our Lord and savior and have surrendered our lives to Him, the Holy Spirit made our spirits alive and He dwells in us as His own temple. Our bodies will be raised at the second coming and will be transformed into glorified bodies by the same Holy Spirit to meet the bridegroom who is Christ. Therefore, we must honor God with our bodies, making sure that we do not dishonor and pollute it by sexual sins. We offer our bodies to God as living sacrifices holy and pleasing in His sight. We must be thoroughly clean- body, mind, heart and soul when we meet our God.

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Sexual Immorality, Temple of The Holy Spirit, Physical Body, Honor God, Lord and Savior, Born Again, Transformation, Glorified Body, Living Sacrifices, Word of God, Bible

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Inspirational

Christ- The Wisdom and Power of God

2009-03-01T07:30:00.000-08:00

"Brothers, think of what you were when you were called.
Not many of you were wise by human standards; not
many were influential; not many were of noble birth.

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame
the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to
shame the strong.
He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised
things and the things that are not- to nullify the things
that are, so that no one may boast before Him.

It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who
has become for us wisdom from God- that is our
righteousness, holiness and redemption."

1 Corinthians 1: 26- 30

When I was not yet a born again Christian, I used my intellect to craft the philosophy and belief system of my life. I chose the path of rational and intelligent thinking and synthesized the different religious and spiritual beliefs to mold my own belief system. But it brought me nowhere. I could not do the good things I wanted to do and the bad things I did not want to do, that I kept on doing. It made me miserable. Being born again in Christ by accepting Him as my Lord and savior and surrendering my entire life to Him enabled me to gain the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit. Now I know the things of God by His grace and wisdom that is by faith and never by intellect. Those who cling to their human intelligence will never have a real encounter with God, for God can be discerned only by pure faith.

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Wisdom, Power, Foolish Things, Weak Things, Righteousness, Bible, Corinthians, Born Again, Intellect, Philosophy, Belief System, Lord and Savior, Grace, Pure Faith, Joy, Peace, Eternal Life, Salvation

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Inspirational

Rules For Holy Living

2009-02-19T00:49:00.000-08:00

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly
loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness,
humility, gentleness and patience.
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances
you may have against one another.
Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
And over all these virtues put on love,
which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
since as members of one body you were
called to peace.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly
as you teach and admonish one another
with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms,
hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude
in your hearts to God.

And whatever you do, whether in word
or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord
Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father
through Him."

Colossians 3: 12-17

We must strengthen one another through the singing of psalms and in all kinds of work in the different ministries for the Lord. We gently rebuke those whose paths are swerving to the left. We should encourage one another especially in moments of weakness and trials. We must forgive one another as God has freely forgiven us and must never hold on to grudges and hurts for these will open the way for the spirit of bitterness to creep into our hearts. Above all these, we must love one another as Christ loved us and gave His own life so that we can be free and enjoy the benefit of joy, peace and eternal life.

I Just Want To Be Where You Are - Don Moen

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Holy Living, Grace, Fellowship, Psalms, Hymns, Humility, Compassion, Kindness, Gentleness, Patience, Colossians, Bible, Gospel

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Gospel/Spiritual

God's Righteous Judgment

2009-02-13T00:42:00.000-08:00

"God will give to each person according to what he has done.
To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor
and immortality, He will give eternal life.

But for those who are self seeking and who reject the truth
and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.
There will be trouble and distress for every human being
who does evil."

Romans 2:6-9

Those who persist in self seeking and pleasurable ways in this world, indulging in all kinds of sin and pleasures, will inherit wrath and judgment from the Lord. But for those who have been persistent in doing good and honoring God with their exemplary lives will inherit eternal life. This world is just a transient place before we go to our final destination- either eternal bliss with God in heaven or eternal damnation with the devil and other accursed in hell. Which destination would we choose?

Amazing Love - Chris Tomlin

Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Amazing Love, Chris Tomlin, Righteous Judgment, Doing Good, Immortality, Glory, Honor, Self Seeking, Heaven, Hell

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Gospel Message/Spiritual