Apostolic Blogs

Think about this for a second. Jesus knew. John 13:1-5 He goes into that room with His disciples. He knows He is going to be betrayed. He knows it is Judas who will turn against him. He knows that He has been sold out for a handful of silver. Stabbed in the back by one He has poured His life into. Yet, in that room, hours before the death of Jesus, Judas ate too. Jesus fed Judas too. Jesus prayed for Judas too. Jesus washed Judas’ feet too. I struggle to fathom that kind of love. A love that would feed the mouth that deceived you. A love that would wash the treasonous feet of the traitor. A love that could forgive even the vilest of betrayals. Abraham, our father of faith, lied. Noah was a drunk. Moses murdered his Egyptian Oppressor. Miriam was a gossiper. Elijah, one of the greatest prophets, was a suicidal. Sarah was impatient. Samson broke his covenant with God for some girl. Gideon was consistency fearful. David had an affair. Jacob lied, over and over again. Rahab was a prostitut...

Early on in this Covid-19 crisis, when I sensed fear creeping into my thoughts, God blessed me with a verse; Isaiah 59:19, which says, “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.” Looking at the Covid-19 map every day, it appeared the virus was spreading like a worldwide flood of biblical proportion. I couldn’t help but think this virus was a tool of our enemy Satan. However, after meditating on this verse, God revealed that the enemy’s tool was not the virus, it was fear. While the virus was spreading across the world, it was equally evident that fear was spreading as well. One of the dangers of fear is that, left unchecked, it has the power to negatively change our perspective. Let me illustrate it this way. Years ago, I read a survey that listed the top ten fears of people. I don’t remember the whole list, but I do remember the number one fear was public speaking and number five was the fear of death. Just think about it for a...

I'm not perfect. I have all kinds of problems. I have no ability. I have no gifts. I'm just not worthy. Why would God want me? Well, did you know that Hosea's wife was a prostitute. Jacob was a liar. David had an affair. Abraham was too old. David was too young. Peter was afraid of death. Lazarus was dead. John was self-righteous. Naomi was a widow. Paul was a persecutor of the church. Moses was a murderer. Jonah ran from God's will. Miriam was a gossip. Gideon and Thomas both doubted. Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal. Elijah was burned out. Martha was a worry-wart. Noah got drunk. Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse? So did Peter, Paul - well, lots of folks did. But God doesn't require a job interview for salvation. He's our Heavenly Father. He doesn't look at financial gain or loss. He's not prejudiced or partial, not judging, grudging, sassy, orbrassy, not deaf to our cry, not blind to our need. He know who we are and what we are and loves us...

(The Harsh Reality: Half Christian, Half Sinner, Totally Lost!) Rev. 3:14 And unto the angel of the church [a] of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;’ Rev. 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.’ Rev. 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.’ Rev. 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:’ Rev. 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.’ Rev. 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.’ Rev. 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock...

Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things  which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Paul has used the analogy of a runner who focuses on the goal ahead of him. This prevents distractions and stumbling. Paul's spiritual goal is stated directly here: "the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." As verse 13 notes, Paul's focus is on forward momentum, not prior mistakes. A person cannot move ahead if their thoughts and vision are focused on the past. Paul has a clear goal: being in heaven with the Lord. He looks forward to the ultimate reward for his faithful service. This prize is to be with Christ, though there is some uncertainty about what he specifically meant, in the context of this remark. Although Christians are called to be like Christ, we continue ...

The pursuit of holiness is essential to the Christian life. “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). God commands us to be holy in all our conduct because He is holy (I Peter 1:15-16). Being holy is a process of growth as we conform to the character and will of God. Although we are imperfect, we are growing into maturity. Throughout this process, we are holy in the sense of (1) separation from sin and (2) dedication to God. (See Romans 12:1-2; II Corinthians 6:17-7:1.) Holiness is both inward and outward. (See I Corinthians 6:19-20; II Corinthians 7:1; I Thessalonians 5:23.) Thus, it encompasses thoughts and attitudes as well as conduct, speech, amusements, and dress. The practices of holiness separate us from the world’s value system, namely, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (I John 2:15-17). Holiness is not a means of earning salvation but a result of salvation. We do not manufacture our own ...

I close my eyes, turn toward the back of the couch and curl my knees up to my chest. “Don’t hang up,” I cry softly into the phone. “I’m afraid to be alone.” My Brother’s coming home early. Today’s one of the bad days. If I admit my thoughts to someone, they’ll think I’m crazy. Am I going crazy? No, you’re not. For me, depression came with the winter, though warning signs could be felt and seen much sooner. I was tired. Really tired. I was edgy and emotional and anxious. I began noticing that I felt exactly like it looked outside — gray and miserable. Numb. I sank further and further until finally breaking down one day at a work conference. I just couldn’t go through the motions anymore. I felt like I was dying inside. If you’re in the thick of the dark and lonely hell that is depression, I wish I could wrap my arms around you and cry with you because I know how badly you hurt. Come take my virtual hand and know you’re not alone. I am a...

   Eph 1:4 KJV According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:   Minsan mga kapatid makakaranas tayo na hindi tayo pipiliin , sa school man sa mga awards , sa trabaho yung promotion o sa iba pang mga bagay .   There will always come a time na makakaramdam tayo ng lungkot dahil hindi tayo pinili , kahit pa minsan ginagawa mo na ang lahat pero parang di pa rin sapat . But sabi sa verse nato mga kapatid na , PINILI KA NI LORD , BEFORE PA NG FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD . Kaya wag tayong masyadong malungkot , if sometimes hindi tayo mapili sa isang bagay , wag natin kakalimutan na pinili tayo at sa sobrang halaga natin , bago pa itinatag ang sanlibutan ay pinili na tayo mga kapatid .  Kaya mga kapatid , hindi mo tlga pedeng sabihin din na hindi ka mahalaga eh dahil kaya ka nga andito sa mundo kasi mahalaga ka , kasi pinili ka ni LORD before pa ng fou...

Psalm 34:1-3 “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.” Several times, people ask this very question which implies that God has either abandoned them or that, He no longer cares. In challenging situations they ask, ‘God why me’? In depressing times they ask’ God why me’? Hardly do these persons ask ‘God, Why me‘? when they swim in successes and abounds in His goodness. Indisputably, challenges and trials confront us in life. It is only of the mercies of God that we are not consumed in them, for God’s love for us is new each passing day. Bearing this in mind, during overwhelming times, God expects us to understand that; “it is not of him that wills, nor of Him that runs, but of God that shows mercy” – Romans 9:16 Have you ever asked ‘God why me’? – For making you see a new day. Have you asked...

We may forget at times but one thing is true - this world is a battlefield. Day by day, hour by hour, we face a spiritual war and an enemy who’s real. He wants nothing more than to bring defeat, for his main aim is to steal, kill, and destroy. The forces of darkness don't wait for us to be ready for their attack. They're ruthless, determined, and cunning. The devil could care less if we "feel" prepared, or prayed up for our day. In fact, he prefers we're not. God has given us his Word and Spirit, powerful and true, so we'll have the wisdom and protection to stand against the enemy. As I read these verses this morning, the reality struck me again that Paul wrote them while in chains, in prison. But Truth says - this enemy we face, no matter how cruel and vicious his schemes, can never chain our spirits that have been set free by Christ. Paul was not silenced by the attacks from dark forces. Neither should we be. What is the Full Armor of God? Ephesians...

Luke 22:56-62 - A servant girl saw him [Peter] seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him [Jesus]." But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said. A little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them." "Man, I am not!" Peter replied. About an hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean. " Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly. Acts 15:36-40 - Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing." Barn...

We all want good things to happen in our lives, but too often we want it now...not later. When it doesn't happen that way, we are tempted to ask, "When, God, when?" Most of us need to grow in the area of trusting God instead of focusing on the "when" question. If you're missing joy and peace, you're not trusting God. If your mind feels worn out all the time, you're not trusting God.The tendency to want to know about everything that's going on can be detrimental to your Christian walk. Sometimes knowing everything can be uncomfortable and can even hurt you. I spent a large part of my life being impatient, frustrated and disappointed because there were things I didn't know. God had to teach me to leave things alone and quit feeling that I needed to know everything. I finally learned to trust the One who knows all things and accept that some questions may never be answered. We prove that we trust God when we refuse to worry.God wants us to live ...

Hebrews. 1:1   God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Colossians 1:15   Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 2Corinthians 4:4   In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. Jesus Christ is the express image of God. God manifested Himself in the flesh, and when He did, the world for the first time could look upon the image of God. God is a Spirit and as such does not have flesh and blood. A s...

1. Sitting – I Chronicles 17: 16-27, Acts 2 - Denotes rest 2. Kneeling – I Kings 8:54, Ezra 9:5, Luke 22:41, Acts 9:40 - Denotes surrender 3. Bowing – Exodus 34:8, Psalm 72:11, Nehemiah 8:6 - Displays honor and humility 4. Standing – Nehemiah 9:5, Mark 11:25, Luke 18:13 In a position of respect and honor – ready to receive instructions 5. Uplifted hands – 2 Chronicles 6:12, 13, I Timothy 2:8 Acknowledges a place of surrender, no weapons, no hidden agenda, a position of praise 6. Walking – 2 Kings 4:35 A warring position. It is hard to sit and pray when you are at war. Walking begins to stir up your prayer intensity. 7. Prostrate – Joshua 7:6, Ezra 10:1, Matthew 26:39, Mark 14:35 Shows awe of the holiness of God – a position of crying out to God – a position of repentance THERE IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG WAY, THE MAIN THING IS TO PRAY ! Having trouble focusing? Switch positions .

"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." (Revelation 22:13) This is just a reminder that Jesus can do anything! JESUS is the name above all names (Acts 4:12) . He has all power in Heaven and in Earth (Matthew 28:18) . What is your particular need(s) today? You must go to Him in prayer. Matthew 7:7 says, "Ask, and it shall be given, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you." Pray and demonstrate in the name of Jesus (Colossians 3:17) . Jesus is all that we need. He can reveal Himself to you in any way. Using a relating/linking occupational perception, I want to share this inspired writing, including titles that are scripturally who Jesus is. It is entitled JESUS : From " A " to " Z !" To the A RCHITECT, He is the "Chief Cornerstone" To the B AKER, He is the "Living Bread" To the C ARPENTER, He is the "Door" To the D OCTOR, He is the "Great ...