Prayer That Prevail (Part II)

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

(James 5:16)

IV – DAVID PRAYED WITH CONTRITION - “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.”(Psalm 51:1).
Contrition – complete sorrow for sin.
“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” (Psalm 34:18).
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” (Psalm 51:17).
“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy [place], with him also [that is] of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” (Isaiah 57:15).
LESSONS:
1. God wants a broken and contrite heart. You can never please God by outward actions – no matter how good – if your inward heart attitude is not right.
2. God sometimes has to “break our heart” in order to bring a person to true repentance. People wouldn’t change until God broke their hearts with humiliation, pain, suffering, and defeat.
3. Praying with contrition is asking God to forgive us and turning from our sinful ways.
4. When we confess our sins, we must also make a commitment to change our behaviour. A person planning to return to that sin is not sincere in his confession.
5. True repentance has a double aspect; it looks upon things past with a weeping eye, and upon the future with a watchful eye.

Illustration: “Give God Your Sins”
A hermit once, having renounce the world and lost all things, yet found no peace. It seemed to him in his lonely cell that the Lord was asking something more. “But I have given you EVERYTHING!” cried the hermit. “ALL but one thing” answered the Lord. “What is it, Lord? “YOUR SINS.”

V – ELIJAH PRAYED WITH CONFIDENCE - “Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.” (James 5:17-18). Confidence – trust in someone or something freedom from doubt.

LESSONS:
1. Self sufficiency is an enemy when it cause us to believe we can always do what needs to be done in our own strength. We must recognize the danger of fighting in our own strength. We can only be confident of victory if we put our confidence in God and not ourselves.
2. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.” (Psalm 46:1-3). Even in the face of destruction, God is our refuge. He is not merely a temporary retreat; He is our ETERNAL refuge and can provide strength even in the face of global destruction.
3. "For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (2 Timothy 1:12).
“I was persuaded in the past and remain so now.”

Poem: “AN EYE THAT NEVER SLEEPS”
There is an eye that never sleeps,
Beneath the wing of night,
There is an ear that never shuts,
When sink the beams of light;
There is an arm that never tires,
When human strength gives way;
There is a love that never fails,
When earthly loves decay.

An hour in prayer can give the believer enough power from God to overcome the second most powerful force in the universe.

VI – DANIEL PRAYED WITH COURAGE - “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.” (Daniel 6:1-11).
His windows being open...”“kneeled”“and prayed before his God.”
Daniel 6:10 should be read in conjunction with Matthew 6:6. “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” (Matthew 6:6). Daniel tells us about PRIVATE PRAYER:

A. Daniel “WENT HOME” to pray.- “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” (Daniel 6:10).
“He went into his house.”There were no temples in Babylon, except heathen temples, but Daniel had a “sacred place” within his own home where he frequently withdrew in order to have fellowship in prayer with God.

LESSONS:
1. Daniel had a disciplined prayer life.
2. Our prayers are usually interrupted not by threats, but simply by the pressure of our schedules.
3. We should pray regularly no matter what.

B. Daniel kept his windows OPEN – “TOWARD JERUSALEM”.
“ Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” (Daniel 6:10). “His windows being open his chamber toward Jerusalem”.
Note the words: “Toward Jerusalem.” “Toward Jerusalem” means “GODWARD.”

LESSONS:
1. It is said that the sweetest side of any fruit or vegetable is the side which grows toward the sun.
2. “The household shall be preserved and never shall decay, where the Almighty God is worshipped day by day.
3. So often our souls are open only MAN-WARD, and in consequence we get bogged down with the problems and the perplexities of life, and we tend to forget the great God whom we love, whom we worship, and who is on the throne.

C. Daniel “GOT DOWN ON HIS KNEES” to pray.
“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” (Daniel 6:10). “he kneeled upon his knees”
Kneeling indicates humility, reverence, and submission. When we pray the bodily posture is not the important thing. We can pray walking or standing while we are working or while we are resting in bed, but the attitude of our hearts when we pray should be that of kneeling.
“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.” (Luke 18:13).

D. Daniel prayed “THREE TIMES A DAY” - “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” (Daniel 6:10).
“ Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” (Psalm 55:17).
Daniel’s life must have been filled with the affairs of the state from morning till night, with official matters as well as with social and domestic duties. No man had a more valid excuse for not giving much time to prayer, and yet Daniel prayed regularly three times a day. For Daniel “PRAYER” was not SUPPLEMENTAL something added on after everything else had been seen to. Daniel’s prayer was FUNDAMENTAL, a priority in his life.

(From Rev. Pastor Teofilito A. Rufon's Sunday Worship Messages).

Prayer That Prevail (Part I)

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

(James 5:16)

Prayer is a MIGHTY FORCE. The Christian’s most POWERFUL resource is communion with God though prayer. Note: The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much . Biblical examples of Prayers that prevail:

I – ABRAHAM PRAYED WITH COMMITMENT – “And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.”(Genesis 22:11).
“The angel of the Lord called..Abraham, Abraham; and he said, HERE AM I.” Abraham’s faith had been severely tested. When he prayed with commitment to the will of God, God intervened.
“And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.” (Genesis 22:12). “Now I know that thou fearest God.”

LESSON:
1. The purpose of testing is to strengthen our character and deepen our commitment to God. Through this difficult experience, Abraham learned this commitment to obey God. He also learned about God’s ability to provide.
2. “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring [it] to pass.” (Psalm 37:4-5). “Delight” – To delight in God means to experience great pleasure and joy in His presence. This happen only when we know God well. To “commit” means entrusting everything – our lives, families, jobs, possessions – to His control and guidance. “Prayer” gives you courage to make the decisions you must make in crisis and then the confidence to leave the result to a higher power.

II – JACOB PRAYED WITHOUT CONSTRAINT - “And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” (Genesis 32:26-28). Jacob prayed with persistence and God answered him. Jacob – the man who persistently CLINGS to GOD.

LESSONS:
1. God encourages persistence in all areas of our lives, including the spiritual. Strong character results from struggling under tough conditions.
2. Persistence in prayer overcomes our insensitiveness, not God’s. It does more to change our hearts and minds than God’s.
3. Faith shouldn’t die if the answers don’t come immediately, for the delay may be God’s way of working His will in your life. When you feel weary in your prayers, know that God is present, always listening, always acting – maybe not in ways you had hoped, but in ways He knows are best.

III – MOSES PRAYED WITH CONCERN - “ Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.”(Exodus 32:32). Moses intervened by putting his life for them.

LESSONS:
1. The intervening prayer of concern for unconverted friends and loved ones ,God will hear and answer.
2. “Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way.” (1 Samuel 12:23). This is intercessory prayer on the behalf of others. Such prayer is unselfish in its motive. Too often we pray for our own needs and desires, when we should be interceding for others.
3.”Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.” (Luke 10:2).
We have to ask God for more workers. In Christian service, there is no unemployment. God has work enough for everyone. Don’t just sit back and watch the others work – look for ways to get in on the harvest.
4.”I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Church’s prayer aids competent government in maintaining law and order.
5.”Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.” (Hebrews 13:18-19).
Pastors and workers are vulnerable to criticism from others. Pride if they succeed. Depression if they fail. They desperately need our prayers!

Illustration:
After his return from church one Sunday a small boy said: “You know what mommy? “I’m going to be a minister when I grow up.” “That’s fine,” said his mother. “But what made you decide you want to be a preacher?” “Well”, said the boy pensively, “I’ll have to go to church on Sunday anyway and I think it would be more fun to stand up and yell than to sit and listen”.

(From Rev. Pastor Teofilito A. Rufon's Sunday worship Messages)

She Hath Done What She Could (Part II)

“And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.”

(Mark 14:3 )

In this Part II sermon, God is calling us to accept Him without delay because “tomorrow” may be too late.

II – SHE DID WHAT SHE COULD WHILE SHE COULD DO - “ She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.” (Mark 14:8). “She hath done what she could.” “She acted immediately.”

1. Act NOW: Tomorrow may be too late. Do what you can for Jesus NOW. Now is the only time we own to do His precious will, Do not wait until tomorrow; For the clock may then be still.

Illustration: “To Pass This World Once”
Stephen Grellet was a French – born Quaker (religious society of Friends) who died in New Jersey in 1855. Grellet would be unknown to the world today except for a few lines which made him immortal.
The familiar lines, which have served as an inspiration to so many people, are these: “I shall pass through this world but ONCE. Any good that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it NOW and not defer it. For I shall not pass this way again.”

2. Faith and actions are INSEPARABLE. Faith without works is a lifeless faith. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1). Note the words: “Now, FAITH is the substance.” FAITH is NOW! Not tomorrow! Some are great “tomorrow” people. “I don’t have time” we often say. That is the WORST KIND OF BLASPHEMY. For God in His goodness has given to each one of us the time of our lives. Let’s take our time, before time take us. Let us take our time TODAY for God’s sake. “Never put off ‘till tomorrow the things you can do today.”

Illustration: "In a Minute”
A little girl had gotten into the habit of replying, “IN A MINUTE” to anything her mother asked her to do. When her mother asked her to run an errand or bring something, the little girl would say, “I’ll do it in a minute”. - One day the little girl’s pet bird had been let out of its cage and was playing on the floor. The mother said to her daughter, “Shut the door, or the cat will go after your bird.” “Yes, mother, in a minute,” replied the little girl, “I just want to finish my drawing.” But the cat didn’t wait, he saw the bird on the floor and with one dart had the bird in his mouth. The little girl screamed and gave chase to the cat. “In a minute”, the little girl returned, crying, with her dead bird in her hand. The little girl learned a lesson: MANY THINGS CAN HAPPEN “IN A MINUTE”.

3. “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”
(Proverbs 27:1). Satan has many lies that he whispers in our ears: “YOU HAVE PLENTY OF TIME.” But what does God say? “ For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. TODAY if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness.” (Psalm 95:7-8). “Today if ye will hear His voice.”“Harden not your heart!” Time does not tarry, death does not tarry. Satan, and all the powers of darkness are busy. When God says, “DO IT!” we should DO IT NOW! Tomorrow might be too late! Let us each ask ourselves – “IS THIS MY LAST?” then, “MY LAST SHALL BE MY BEST”.- The best time for CHANGE. The best time to examine the DIRECTION of our lives. The best time to CONFESS our sins and find forgiveness from God. God is giving us time to QUIT living our way and begin living His way. You can’t see the stopwatch of God’s patience and there is no bargaining for additional time.

4. St. Francis of Assisi, hoeing his garden, was asked what he would do if he were suddenly to learn that he was to die at sunset that day. He said; “I would finish hoeing my garden.”
Application:
a. Even though we believe in the imminent return of Jesus, we should go right on preparing for the work God has called us into.b. There is only ONE LIFE that it will soon past; only what’s done for Christ will last.
Invest your life well. Invest it for the services of the Lord.
c. Millions are investing in temporal possessions – they pursue things that wear out, rust and decay.
Earthly treasures do not last, but spiritual treasures are of eternal value.
“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:20-21).

(From Rev. Pastor Teofilito A. Rufon's Sunday Worship Messages)

She Hath Done What She Could (Part I)

“After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death. But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people. And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.”

(Mark 14:1-9)

This sermon tells us to serve God to the fullest... by giving God the first place in your heart, giving God the best that you have and by giving God the strength of your youth.

“She hath done what she could.” The woman who anointed Jesus’ feet was Mary, Lazarus and Martha’s sister.

“Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.” (John 12:1-3).

Jesus praised Mary for her unselfish act of worship.The essence of worshipping Christ is to regard Him with utmost love, respect, and devotion and to be willing to sacrifice to Him what is most precious.

I – SHE DID WHAT SHE COULD WITH WHAT SHE HAD - “And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.” (Mark 14:3 )
“Alabaster box” – onyx marble. Popular for making perfume vases and boxes for precious ointments.
“Spikenard” – aromatic ointment. Highly perfumed ointment, prepared from a plant in India. “Very precious” – prized by the ancients – favourite perfume at their baths and banquets.

Application:
1. Is it costing you anything to serve God, or do you serve comfortably from the excess of what you have? Giving to God what cost you nothing does not demonstrate commitment. The word “SACRIFICE” implies giving something that costs the giver in terms of SELF, TIME or TREASURE.
2. Giving is a NATURAL RESPONSE of LOVE, when you love someone, you want to give him your time and attention and to provide for his needs. If you refuse to give, your love may not be as genuine as you say.
- “You cannot LOVE without GIVING – you cannot GIVE without LOVING.”
3. God wants you to give what you have, not what you haven’t.- The attitude with which we give is more important than the amount we give.
4. Giving to the Lord is but transporting our goods to a higher floor.
5. When we give God the leftovers, He is obviously not at the centre of our lives. Give God the honour of having first claim on your money, your time, and your talents.

6. Hymn: “GIVE OF YOUR BEST TO THE MASTER”

I
Give of your best to the Master; Give of the strength of your youth;
Throw your soul’s fresh, glowing ardour Into the battle for truth.
Jesus has set the example; Dauntless was He, young and brave;
Give Him your loyal devotion, Give Him the best that you have...

Chorus:
Give of your best to the Master; Give of the strength of your youth;
Clad in salvation’s full armour, Join in the battle for truth.

II
Give of your best to the Master; Give Him first place in your heart;
Give Him first place in your service, Consecrate every part.
Give, and to you shall be given; God His beloved Son gave;
Gratefully seeking to serve Him, Give Him the best that you have...

III
Give of your best to the Master; Naught else is worthy His love;
He gave Himself for your ransom, Gave up His glory above:
Laid down His life without murmur, You from sin’s ruin to save;
Give Him your heart’s adoration, Give Him the best that you have...
“Give of your best to the Master; Give of the strength of your youth”

7.When a Christian comes to the end of his life, the regrets that he may have are probably that he has not served Christ better, love him more, spoken of him oftener, and given more of his life to the enhancement of God’s Kingdom.Live today to the fullest. Remember it’s the first day of rest of your life.

8. Give of your best to the Master; Give Him FIRST PLACE in your heart.”To put God first:
a. Recognize what is taking His place in your life.
b. Renounce this “substitute god” as unworthy of such devotion.
c. Ask God for forgiveness.
d. Restructure your priorities so that love for God is the motive for everything you do.
e. Examine yourself daily to be sure you are giving God FIRST PLACE.

9. Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
10. “Give Him your hearts adoration; Give Him the best that you have”. In the Old Testament, animals with defects were not acceptable as sacrifices, because they did not match God’s Holy nature.
When we give our BEST TIME, BEST TALENT and TREASURE to God, rather than what is tarnished or common, we show the true meaning of worship and testify to God’s supreme worth.
God deserved the very best. To give second best to God implies that He is second rate in our lives.

(From Rev. Pastor Teofilito A. Rufon's Sunday Worship messages)

Choir Ministry

"Teach and admonish one another in Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs." (Colossians 3:16)

Music is like the Great Mystery in the book of Ephesians that husbands should love their wives as Christ loved the Church that sometimes we cannot understand the feelings it brought to our hearts and minds. It's so mysterious and hard to explain. It is the missing link that bridges the gap between joy and pain, between sadness and laughter, between war and peace between life and death, between love and hatred, between question and answer. Music soothes the soul of mankind. It is the expression of showing empathy and comfort and peace. It communicates to the very deepest part of human feelings. Someone has said: "a day without music, is like a day without sunshine." It's true. Imagine a world without music. It would be a world without love, a world without color, a world without art and beauty, a world so dry like a desert. But thanks be to God, he made our lives complete through music.

Here in Odiongan Baptist Church, almost all members loved music. Worship and Spiritual music is so dearly loved by all especially those written in the Hymnals. It becomes part of life of every member wherever they are in work, in homes, in travel. Our Choir has been existing all through out by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, a spirit-filled ministry of diverse members of young, middle-aged and old alike ready to offer their talents of singing. The common principle lies on the fact that every choir member just simply returns their voice to God who just temporarily lend the voice to them. This is the very reason why our Choir has lasted for so long because God gave to them the best voice God has ever gifted to man. This is perhaps one of the reasons why The Choir Ministry has survived as old as the Church and shall live as old as the universe to come.

So enthusiastic and interesting to note that every one longs to sing whatever kind of piece that our Choir Master taught us. Our ever loved Mrs. Xenia S. Foja has promised to herself to give her full life and support to the Choir Ministry. This is her life...a very loved life. Maybe if you ask her why she doesn't stop teaching songs maybe perhaps it is because God gave her a gift too that she has learned and nurtured in order to share and serve others. Our Church is so thankful for Madam Xen for her untiring service to the Choir.

Most songs prepared by Mam Xen were so inspiring that one's heart will be touched by the message and the melody it brings to every listener. Full of wonderful message of God's grace, love and promise of salvation. In return though thick and thin, the Sopranos, Altos, Tenors and Basses made also their promises to render songs well, that's why the Pastor gave the Choir the title which deserves them most...The Best Choir in the World! Oh songs and pieces were really nice. Choir members doesn't look at the tune but the message it brings. Choir members performs diligently and internalizes every lyrics and message it brings. From Christmas songs to easter songs to thanksgiving songs to elegies (songs for necrological services). With this ministry, we ask God's blessings and guidance to give more strength to every member in order to make our Church Worship Services more alive and meaningful.

The Odiongan Baptist Church Kindergarten Center (OBCKC)

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

(Proverbs 22:6)

Founded in the year 1968, OBCKC is already 43 years old. OBCKC is one of the pioneers and perhaps one of the oldest Private Kindergarten School recognized by the Department of Education in the entire province of Romblon. She has produced many successful leaders locally and abroad.


OBCKC offers Nursery, Kindergarten I and Kindergarten II (Preparatory) with a very cheap tuition and miscellaneous fees.

Our Church prays that God will sustain its enrollment so that many more children will be molded through responsible and God-fearing christian education.

Radio Ministry

“and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all ye nations.”

(Luke 24:46)

The Radio Ministry of Odiongan Baptist Church Inc. started in the year 1998. It has been operating for 13 years. The program dubbed as “Ang Mabuting Balita” (The Good News), tackles the current events that affects every Christian life: politics, education, health, environment, science, law, among others using the Bible as the only hope for mankind’s search for eternal peace and security.

Anchored by Rev. Pastor Teofilito A. Rufon, the program uses the FM Radio Band (GMFM 101.5) based in the Capital Town of Romblon, Romblon reaching its signal to its listeners as far as Tablas, Sibuyan, Panay , Mindoro, Masbate, Marinduque, Corcuera, Banton, Sibale and San Jose Islands.

Many people are blessed by this program and our church prays that more listeners will be touched by this evangelistic radio ministry.

Spiritual Birth Versus Physical Birth (The Prenatal, Natal, and Postnatal Life Of A Christian)

“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

(John 3:3-7)

SPIRITUAL BIRTH - is the time when man “received God and became son of God” (John 1:12)and was “born not of blood, nor the will of the flesh, nor the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:13). It is the beginning of man’s heavenly life.

PHYSICAL BIRTH – is the time when man was born from woman’s womb as a result of conception and reproduction. It is the beginning of man’s worldly life. It has a fixed age of gestation of 9 months. It has an estimated date of delivery or confinement. (EDD/EDC).

Being “physically born” makes us “physically alive” and places us in our parent’s family while being “spiritually reborn” makes us “spiritually alive” and places us in God’s family. This is the reason why some Christians celebrate two birthdays. The physical birthday and the spiritual birthday.

It is interesting to note about Nicodemus’ ignorance on being “born again” when he asked God “how can a man be born again when he is old?” “Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?”It is really impossible. But God’s answer is so simple: “except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5). God simply answered a complicated question. But being born again is not as simple as that. We need to prepare.

I – PRENATAL PERIOD – In the field of obstetrics and gynecology, health workers sees to it that every expectant mother should have a good preparation in order to have a safe delivery of the baby. The aim is zero Maternal and Infant Mortality Rate and prevent premature babies or miscarriage. Prior to birth pregnant women undergoes a physical exam or pre-natal check up.

In the same way that every expectant born again Christian should prepare and undergo spiritual examination before receiving the gift of salvation. There should be repentance followed by regeneration like the transformation from cocoon to butterfly. We should ask ourselves” “are we worthy of receiving the blood of the lamb?” Are there some diseases that should be treated like an expectant high risk pregnant mother who has diabetes or anemia or other abnormal condition during pregnancy? Does she needs iron and vitamin supplement in preparation for loss of blood during delivery?? How much have we prepared prior to birth??? Prior to be being born again. Or we just received Christ because somebody told us that we should receive and accept Jesus. Or no consultation at all! This will result to a stillbirth, premature or even miscarriaged “born again” Christians. Premature babies seldom survived. We can learn the value of preparation from the ant. “The ants are a people not strong yet they prepare their meat in the summer.” (Proverbs 30:25). “Prepare to meet thy God.” (Amos 4:12).

The lesson here is: to reach the full term 9 month pregnancy not just 8 or 7 or 6 months pregnancy. OUR CHURCH NEEDS FULL TERM OR FULLY MATURED CHRISTIANS NOT PRE-TERM OR PREMATURE CHRISTIANS.

Accepting and believing Jesus as a personal God and saviour is a serious matter. We must not deceive God. Otherwise a Christian will be born prematurely. They are termed also as “Spiritual Babies” who remains “Babes In Christ” who are called the “carnal man”. They are knowledgeable in Bible yet they have little or no prayer life. “they walk after the flesh, not after the spirit.” (Romans 8:1). “Be not deceived God is not mocked!.” (Galatians 6:7) Some submitted for baptism for the sake of Church membership, not God’s kingdom membership.

“We must not return to Herod.” (Matthew 2:12). We must not return to old ways. Our heart and eyes must practice“the ways of God”(Proverbs 23:26) prior to being born again. If a person feels he’s not ready to leave sinful and old ways...he must not be born again. He will be categorically termed only as a “professing Christian.”

It is also worthy to note the very much foundation of salvation which is “ for by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9) is often abused by Christians. The “grace” which is the redemptive blood of the lamb is turned to “disgrace” by backsliding and returning to old ways.

II- NATAL PERIOD (SPIRITUAL BIRTH DAY).- This is the time when man received God as his personal savior and accepted God’s grace and mercy and gift of eternal salvation. . “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17). “ This is the day that the Lord hath made. We will rejoice and be glad in Him. “

This is the happiest and the most meaningful day of our lives. To become sons of God. The day when Jesus washed our sins away. We must not forget this day because this is more important than our Physical BirthDay. The Spiritual birthday is more important because it speaks of eternal security while physical birthday speaks of temporal security. It is the beginning of man’s heavenly life. Spiritual birth happens any time. Born again can also be termed synonymously as “The Father’s Son/Child” “The Called One” “The Justified” “The Sanctified” “Sinner Saved By Grace” “The Regenerated One” “The Convert.”

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the
love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17-19).


III- POSTNATAL PERIOD- This is the time after a man is born again up to the time of his death.

Shortly after delivery of a baby in a mother’s womb, again health workers determine or evaluates whether the baby is healthy or not. They evaluate it through an APGAR SCORE. A stands for appearance, P stands for pulse of the heart, G stands for grimace, A stands for activity, and R for respiration. Each has a numerical value. If the APGAR SCORE is 10, this means the baby is healthy.

In the same way that after being born again, we should also be spiritually alive by being: always visible and APPEARS and not disappear in Worship Services, has a PULSATING HEART of kindness to the poor and the needy, a BEAUTIFUL and HANDSOME FACIAL GRIMACE not just always feeling painful, ACTIVE in church activities, and RESPIRES by breathing and shouting and singing Praise God and Amen! Hallelujah! The Score should be perfect 10. This means our Spiritual Life is healthy. As the score lowers below 10..our spiritual life is not healthy.

A very loud crying baby after being born in a few seconds of life indicates a very healthy baby. An indication that the baby is pink, active, has a good pulse and breathes . Likewise, a very loud, radiant, active, evangelizing, soul winning and shouting and crying out loud Born Again..... is a very healthy Christian. But a silent Christian may be a diseased born again Christian. He might even die like premature babies.

If babies don’t cry immediately after delivery, doctors will spank the feet of a newborn in order to cry and soon baby breathes in air. In the same manner God will also spank us if we don’t follow his commands. “My son despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth, even as a father the son whom he delighteth.” (Proverbs 3:11-12).

In Galatians 5:22-26 it says there that “the fruit of spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. If we live in the spirit, let us also walk in the spirit. Great blessings come to those who obey God’s commands, but severe judgement come to those who disobey Him. Along with God’s blessings come the responsibility to live up His demands for honesty and faithfulness. “And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”( Job 1:21).

The Altar, Tent and Well (Part I)

“And he builded an altar there, and called upon the name of the LORD, and pitched his tent there: and there Isaac's servants digged a well.”

(Genesis 26:24-25)

In this verse you will notice the words: “he builded an ALTAR there,” “pitched his TENT there,” and “servants digged a WELL.” Altar, tent and well form a trinity which ought to be regarded as indivisible.

I – THE ALTAR - In the Old Testament, altars were constructed by the Hebrews for the purpose of offering of sacrifices and the burning of incense.

Under the old system, everything was cleansed by animal sacrifices, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”(Hebrews 9:22).
This has an important lesson for us today. Gifts and sacrifices were offered but these failed to cleanse the hearts of the people who brought them. “Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience.”(Hebrews 9:9).

In the New Testament, the Altar is the Lord Jesus Christ. The Altar looked to the great sacrifice that the Son of God was to make on the cross. For the people of God (believers in Christ), altars were more than places of sacrifice. Altar reminds us of the VERTICAL DIMENSION of our lines. Altar symbolized communion with God and personal encounter with God. “And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place.”(Deuteronomy 12:2-3).
We too should be ruthless in finding and removing any “heather altars” we have in our lives. They maybe activities, attitudes, possessions, relationship, places, or habits – anything that reminds us and tempt us to do wrong. When we want God’s help, when we undertake large tasks, we must first check to see that our relationship with God is firmly established.

Hymn: “Is Your All On The Altar”
Is your all on the ALTAR of sacrifice laid?
Your heart does the Spirit control?
You can only be BLEST,
And have PEACE and SWEET REST,
As you yield Him your body and soul.

Altar speaks of SACRIFICE. The word “sacrifice” implies giving something that costs the giver in terms of self, time or talent. Giving God what costs you nothing does not demonstrate commitment.
ALTAR speaks of OBEDIENCE. Obeying God is often a struggle because it may mean giving up something we truly want.

“And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.” (Genesis 22:2). Note the words: “Thine only son,”“whom thou lovest,” and “offer him.”

“Surrender” isn’t giving up something you don’t WANT. It is GIVING UP WHAT YOU WANT. Christ is not valued at all unless He is valued ABOVE ALL. In other words: Christ must be No.1.

Number one in our prayers
Number one in reading our Bible.
Number one in witnessing to people.
Number one in our giving.

Difficulties should never be excuses for missing services for God. Rather as difficulties arise, we should make an even greater effort to be faithful in serving the Lord.

The Altar, Tent and Well (Part II)

“And he builded an altar there, and called upon the name of the LORD, and pitched his tent there: and there Isaac's servants digged a well.”

(Genesis 26:24-25)

II – TENT - A temporary dwelling. Portable shelter. And he builded an altar there, and called upon the name of the LORD, and pitched his tent there: and there Isaac's servants digged a well.(Genesis 26:25 ).

Note the words: “and pitched his tent there.” Peter reminds the believers that everything in this life – possessions, accomplishments, people – will eventually fade away and disappear. Only God’s will, God’s Word, and God’s Work are permanent. We are all just merely passing temporarily like pilgrims in this world. “For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”(1 Peter 1:24-25).
We must stop grasping the temporary, and focus our time, treasure and energy on the permanent – our eternal life in Christ. "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:18 ).
The Christian’s permanent home is where Christ lives. “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." (John 14:2-3).
This verse gives us a different perspective on our lives here on earth. To let heaven fill your thought means to look at life from God’s perspective. The more we see the life around us as God sees it, the more we live in harmony with Him. We must not too attached to what is only TEMPORARY.

Illustration: “The Only Importance”
Over the triple doorways of the Cathedral of Milan, there are three inscriptions spanning the splendid arches. Over one is carved a beautiful wreath of roses, and underneath is the legend: “ALL THAT WHICH PLEASES IS BUT FOR A MOMENT”.
Over the other is sculptured a cross, and the words: “ALL THAT WHICH TROUBLES US IS BUT FOR A MOMENT”.
But underneath the great central entrance to the main aisles is the inscription: THAT ONLY IS IMPORTANT WHICH IS ETERNAL.”
The more we see the life around us as God sees it, the more we live in harmony with Him. We must not too attached to what is only TEMPORARY.

III – WELL – a pit or hole dug in the earth down to the water table. The level at which the ground us saturated with water.
Notice the words: “Isaac’s servants digged a well.” (Genesis 26:25).
In Old Testament times, water was as precious as gold. If someone dug a well, he was staking a claim to the land. Some wells had locks to keep thieves from stealing the water.Jacob’s well was probably more than 200 ft. deep (John 4:5-7). Wells were almost always located outside the city along the main road. Twice each day, morning and evening, women came to draw water. People had to walk a mile or more for their water.

“Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:6-14).

Many functions of one’s spiritual life parallel the functions of the physical life. As our bodies hunger and thirst, so do our SOULS. Our souls need spiritual food and water. We should not think of depriving our bodies of food and water when they hunger and thirst. Why then should we deprive our souls? Only Jesus Christ can satisfy our hungry and thirsty souls.

“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?”(Psalm 42:1-2). As the life of a deer depends upon water, our lives depend upon God. As the Song says:

Like a woman at well I was seeking
The things that could not satisfy,
And when I heard the Saviour speaking,
Draw from my well that never shall run dry.

Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up Lord,
Come and quench the thirsting of my soul,
Bread of heaven, feed me till I want no more,
Fill my cup, fill it up and make we whole.

Do you need to experience God’s love, peace and forgiveness? Drink from His WELL that never shall run dry. “WELL that never shall run dry” means:

Love that can never be fathomed.
Life that can never die.
Peace that can never be understood.
Rest that can never be disturbed.
Happiness that can never be interrupted.
Strength that can never be enfeebled.
Beauty that can never be marred.
Resources that can never be exhausted.

A Text For Tough Times

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

(John 14:1-6)

John 14:1-6 is the Bible text for tough times. It is a text for drying tears and finding strength. Tough times come to all. Losing a loved one, a friend, facing a family tragedy or a neighbor can be tough. What makes this text so helpful?

I – THERE IS COMFORT IN THIS TEXT - "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me." ( John 14:1). “Let not your heart be troubled.”
The world is full of trouble. Sickness and pain eventually come to all. Death visits our families and neighbourhoods. Trouble is inevitable and inescapable. “Man is born to trouble.” “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” (Job 14:1). We are trained for success, but not for failure. No wonder not many of us can handle suffering. We usually end up troubled, confused and bitter. He who can suffer well, will also live well. It requires more courage to suffer than to die.

But our Lord longs to comfort us. “Let not your heart be troubled.” ”Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.”(Isaiah 40:1). “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”
(2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Jesus is “The God of all comforts.” “Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” Trials are not the enemies of faith but are opportunities to prove God’s faithfulness. For daily need there is daily grace; for sudden need, sudden grace; for overwhelming need, overwhelming grace. To be miserable, look within. To be distracted, look around. To be happy, look up! At times, we may not know where God is, but we can be confident that HE KNOWS WHERE WE ARE!

II – THERE IS A CALL TO FAITH IN THIS TEXT – “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” (John 14:1). “Ye believe in God.” To “believe” is to exercise faith. We trust God to handle the smaller things but doubt. His ability to take care of the tough decisions, the frightening situations, and the big problems. “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7). “Casting ALL your CARE upon HIM, for HE CARETH for you.” He who abandons himself to God will never be abandoned by God. How fast we learn in a day of sorrow. “In studying, we know the Word of God. In suffering, we know the God of the Word.”

III – THERE IS A QUESTION IN THIS TEXT – “Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?” (John 14:5). “How can we know the way?” Because suffering is universal, we can always hear the voices of people asking: how, why,what? What kind of a God allows these thing to happen? “Is there a supreme being in control?” We have a human tendency to wonder why the person who love God and tries to live a holy life has to suffer physically, psychology, or in any other way, during his time on earth.

IV – THERE IS AN ANSWER IN THIS TEXT - “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6). “I am the way, the truth and the life.” JESUS is the answer. What big things are you facing? A big problem? Jesus is active in solving your big problems. What do you think is so small that it’s too small for God to notice? A small tears? A small worry that is robbing you of your joy? Jesus is active in big ways and small ways and unseen ways. The words: “I am the way, the truth and the life – settle three important concerns about heaven.” Jesus is not just one who shows the way. Jesus is the way. There is no other way.