Do Not Misuse God's Name

“Thou shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain”

Exodus 20:7

We must not misuse God’s name.  Here are three ways we misuse God’s name.

I – FALSE WITNESS OF GOD- Swearing God’s name falsely  is a sin (Leviticus 19:12).  A lie told in God’s name is worse because we degrade God into the mud with us.  God forbids the misuse of His name.  Example is when we take the oath of office.  In the last sentence it says …”so help me God”. But we do not obey this.  Like politicians after winning election, we break this promise!  The lesson is we must be “truth tellers”.

II- FALSE WORSHIP – Psalm 29:2 tells us to “give to the Lord the glory due unto His name”. Lip service means saying “yes” with our mouth but saying “no”  in our heart by action.  It is called hypocrisy.  We call God master but we obey Him not. We always disobey Him even in worshiping Him.

III- FALSE WORDS ABOUT GOD -  To misuse God’s name means literally  “to lift up to attach it to emptiness”.  Example is the use of expressing “Oh My God”!   We use the name of God  in vain. Without reverence and respect like a simple expression. 

To address misuse of God’s name, we must recognize and exalt His name (Philippians 2:11).  Confess that  Jesus Christ is Lord because there is power in His name. We must use God’s name correctly. We must revere His name.  “Reverence” means to set apart His name in ordinary names.  We put God in the throne of our hearts.  We desire our life to reveal to others the character of God every day.  God’s name is at stake when we commit sin.  We should live in a way that “others see Jesus  in us”.  Those who know Jesus rely and trust on Him (John 20:21).  Through His name we were saved. As the song goes “Take the Name of Jesus With You, Precious Name Oh How Sweet, Hope of Earth and Joy of Heaven.”

(From the Messages of Rev. Teofilito A. Rufon on Sunday Worship)

How To Live In Difficult Times

“Life with God is not immunity  from difficulties, but peace in difficulties.”

C. S. Lewis

Here are four points to follow on how to live in difficult times.

I – STAY FIRM IN GOD’S WORD -  We must hear and be firm in following Jesus so that we can be likened to a house built upon the rock which can withstand difficulties (Matthew 7:24-25).  We must read the Bible because it is like an “Instruction Manual” that  must be read and followed otherwise we will get lost. We must read, live and share the Bible. God promises provision, protection, and presence to those who are firm to follow Him.  We are safe not because of absence of danger but because of  presence of God.

II- STAY PERSISTENT IN PRAYERS – God said “let your requests be made known unto Him” (Philippians 4:6). Prayer is a response to a crisis.  Allow our helplessness to move us to a deeper  and more fervent prayer. Prayer is our weapon to attain peace to live in difficult times.  Life with God is not immunity from difficulties, but peace in difficulties.

III- STAY IN STEP WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT- Galatians 5:6 tells us to walk in the spirit.  Walk in the spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  What makes us strong, move, live, and walk is the work of the Holy Spirit.  Christian living is a spiritual walk.  Those who walk with God reaches the destination 100%. The Holy Spirit is like a Global Positioning System (GPS) used in cars not to be lost. It will lead you where you are going.  Success is always the result of the leading of the Holy Spirit.

IV- FIX YOUR EYES ON JESUS- We must always look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Fixed means “glued” at all times. Fixing our eyes in Jesus will not fall us into failure.  We fail if we are not lookingto Him.  We must not look at the ability of other people or rely on our ability but rely to Jesus.  Everything we need is in Jesus. Let us fix our eyes and all will be well.

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

State of the Harvest Field Address (SOHFA)

                        “Look on the fields for they are ready for harvest.” 

                                                                                                           John 4:35

         When our very own Pastor Abet Falcunit gave a sermon about SOHFA or  “state of the harvest field address”  in  our church, he strongly urged the congregation to “look on the fields to labor for the fruits are ready for harvest” (John 4:35). God is seeking for laborers. Meaning,  God’s purpose for all of us is to serve Him. To serve God to save the souls of those who have not yet accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and savior.  So many works to be done  in the field but the laborers are few to do the harvesting. Pastor Abet also stressed in his sermon that God is compassionate to all of us. If God is compassionate, we must also be compassionate with others. God sees us all precious in His eyes.

          There are more loiterers than laborers. The ADDRESSOR is the Lord while the ADDRESSEE are the disciples or the saved ones in the church.  God did not allow us to die because He has the purpose for all of us…to send us to work in His vineyard…to evangelize and to win souls. 

          In  Isaiah 6:8,  God commissioned Isaiah to labor in the fields. Isaiah heard the voice of the  Lord saying  “whom shall I send”?  Isaiah said, “here am I send me.”God commissioned us all to work in the field. 

The Sweetest, The Simplest And The Profoundest Verse In The Bible

“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”    

Romans 10:13

This verse is the sweetest, the simplest and the profoundest verse in the Bible.  This verse has the widest scope,  the grandest personality, and the greatest reality.

I – THE WIDEST SCOPE OF HUMANITY -   “Whosoever.” God covers all humanity to be saved as stated in the Bible verse thru the word “whosoever.” Whosoever means all, you  and any.  No matter what your background is, no matter what you have done, no matter where you came from, no matter what color you are, no matter what you did to yourself. It does’nt matter.  God will save you! Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, God loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass,  God’s love encompasses us completely!

II – THE SIMPLEST ACTIVITY -  “Call!”  This is very simple activity. Just “call” God.   “Call unto me and I will answer thee!”  Jeremiah 33:3. In calling God, we should have genuine humility,  unconditional surrendering,  personal helplessness,  and faith in God’s power and resources. Without calling God we can do nothing.

III -  THE GRANDEST PERSONALITY – “The name of the Lord!”   “That at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of  things in heaven, of things under the earth… and every tongue confess that  Jesus Christ is Lord!” Philippians 2:10.  In the name of Jesus means authority,  ability, and adequacy.  “A transformed life is the greatest of all miracles.  Every time a person is “born again” by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, the miracle of regeneration is performed.”  “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12.

IV -  THE GREATEST REALITY – “Shall be saved.”  “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man shall pluck them out of my hand,”  John 10:28. Our security is not in a place but in person, a person who did not, cannot and will not lie.”

(From the sermons of Rev. Teofilito A. Rufon of Odiongan Baptist Church Inc. odiongan, Romblon, Philippines)

God's Daily Prescription

“My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep thy commandments.”  Proverbs 3:1

God, being the supreme physician, has daily prescription to us:

I -  DAILY PRIORITY – Matthew 6:33 says  “seek ye first!”  Put God first and we will never be last and all things fall into proper place.  When couples love God first,  they love each other.  Put God first in finances, tithes, interest, hobbies, work, relationship, marriage, friendship, schedule and even in times of trouble.   When we have problems, prayer should be the first choice, not last resort.

II – DAILY POWER – In Christ we are strong.  Outside Christ we are weak. Philippian 4:13 says “We can do all things through Christ which strenghteneth us”.  Romans 8:37 positively reminds us that “Nay in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.”

III -  DAILY PRECEPTS -  We cannot live without God’s word. It is our bread of life.  Take this word at least once a day or more.  There is no overdose.   Regular Bible reading can cure many illnesses like anxiety, fear, worry and stress.   Reading Bible will make us happy and gain positive outlook in life.

IV – DAILY  PRAISE -  Rejoice always in the Lord.  We should rejoice because we are sons of God, God is sufficient, God has special place for us  in heaven. Jesus said in John 14:1-2 “Let not your heart be troubled….in my fathers house are many mansions…..I go to prepare a place for you.” 

V – DAILY PRAYER – 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to pray without ceasing.  God doesn’t move in your life when you stop praying.  He moves when you pray. James 5:16 says “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

(From the sermons of Pastor Teofilito A. Rufon of Odiongan Baptist Church)

Faith Under Attack

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”

1 Timothy 6:12

Satan will attack our faith through our  faith, funds, family and flesh. Consider how Job resisted devil’s attack to his faith. 

I – Faith – Job’s faith was real. Job is classic example of a man whom faith was tested by the devil. But Job’s faith was not shaken even under attack. His adversity strengthens his life because his faith is real.  Not real faith or artificial faith can be destroyed by  adversity.  Adversity destroys the superficial faith, but adversity strengthens real faith. Don't let your trials blow you down. Let them lift you up. " that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?” – Job 1:8

II – Funds – Our funds can be an instrument of devil too. Job knew that everything he has were gifts from God therefore it should be returned and used for the glory of God. "Most people fail to realize that money is both a TEST and a TRUST from God. We can either use our money to serve God or our God will be our money."   “And said, Naked came I out if 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. In all this Job sinned not, nor changed God foolishly.” Job 1:21-22

III – Family – When Job’s family died due to disaster, he did not blame God.  Some people blame God for the natural disasters that killed their family and they turned down their faith away from God.  But Job even under the shadow of death did not gave up his faith, instead he loved more our God.   .” And behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.  Job 1:18-19.

Yes it is true to take good care of our family to give food, clothing and shelter but too much of it  and putting God as a second option  to the point of ignoring God’s commandment to serve Him is a big mistake.  Sometimes if the one we loved more will cause us to ignore God, he will send instruments or  ways or even  punishment  or  taking our loved ones away from us for us to return . Matthew 10:37  is very clear and warns us that “he that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.

IV – Flesh  - Did God allow men to suffer?  According to Helen Keller a blind and deaf woman, "there is a purpose to suffering and if faced rightly, it can drive us like a nail deep into more stability and spiritual power than you can imagine." "Trials and sufferings are intended to make us think, to wean us from the world, to send us to the Bible and to drive us to our knees."

Like Job when satan smote him with boils, Job remained steadfast and faithful to God even his wife told him to curse God. “So went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips. Job 2:7-10

According to Joni Earekson Tada a mouth painter, writer who wrote a book entitled “When God Weeps: Why Our Sufferings Matter to the  Almighty” and quadriphlegic Christian,  "God has chosen not to heal me, but to hold me. The more intense the pain, the closer His embrace.”

(From the sermons of Pastor Teofilito A. Rufon of Odiongan Baptist Church, Inc. Odiongan, Romblon).

Blessed Are The Meek: For They Shall Inherit The Earth

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”  (Matthew  5:5)

The meaning of meek in Hebrew is “to be molded” and “to be controlled.”  Being meek is to submit to God’s will.  Not man’s will. His hand is our molder because he is our potter and we are the clay.  “Nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done.”  (Luke 22:42). Man has his will.  God also has his will. But it’s God’s will that prevail.  When we desire, we must first seek God.  “Delight thyself in the Lord;  and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”  (Psalm 37:4).  “In all thy ways acknowledge him,  and he shall direct thy paths.”  (Proverbs 3:6).   In God’s will we  have peace.  In his will is our peace.   We must accept  all things  that work within us to have inner peace.  It is all God’s plan .  There is always a reason and good things that will happen to us if we always submit to God’s purpose.  There is  no such  thing  as chance or luck. “All things work together for good to them that love God.  To them who are called according to his purpose.”  ( Romans 8:28).  

Even  in pain and suffering.  God did not promise us a trouble-free life.  He said that “in this world we shall have tribulation.” Meekness is not so much of questioning and asking or cursing or challenging or blaming  God.  Meekness is more of loving, suffering, acceptance, and contentment.  There is a saying that “God will not bear us a problem we cannot bear.”  A turtle once said:  “no matter how heavy my bearings are, it’s God’s choice to make me carry my shell for it’s the only way I will be protected.”    After we have surpassed the sickness and problems  in our lives, we become an inspiration, to others by telling them not  to fear and not to loss  faith and hope  because we have been through that kind of illness.  Job said “I know that thou canst do everything.” ( Job 42:2). So there is always a reason for every thing that God did for us.  “ Many are the plans in the mind of a man,  but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established.”  (Proverbs 19:21).  “In every thing give thanks:  for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”  (I Thessalonians  5:18). 

According to Millard Erickson: “ If we have fully understood who and what God is, we will see him as the supreme being.   We will see him the Lord, the one who is to be pleased and whose will is to be done.   This reminder is needed in our day,  for we have a tendency to slip from a “theocentric” to an “anthropocentric”  ordering of our religious lives.   This leads to what be called “inverted theology.”  Instead of regarding God as our Lord, whose glory is the supreme value and whose will is to be done, we regard him as our servant.  He is expected to meet all of our perceived needs and to answer to our standards of what is right and wrong.   We need to learn from Samuel,  whose response when the Lord called him was,  “Speak, Lord, your servant hears.”   He did not see this as an opportunity to pour  out his concerns to the Lord,  saying “Listen, Lord, your servant speaks.”  When we adopt the latter stance,  we in effect make ourselves God.  We presume to know what is right and what is best.   In so doing,  we take upon ourselves a great responsibility:  to guide our own  lives.   But it is God who knows what is best in the long run.   He is the Almighty and loving Lord.   He has created us, not we him,  and we exist for his Glory,  not he for ours.   We will stand for him in the last judgment,  not he before us.   If we have truly understood God’s nature,  then with Jesus our first concern in prayer will not be for the granting of our desires.  It will rather be “Hallowed be thy name,  Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,  on earth as it is in heaven.”

(From Andrew M. Famero’s Exhortation at the Harry Fetalsana’s residence during the Joint Fellowship of Men, Women and Youth)