Archive for July, 2008.

Character vs Image

Posted on July 29th, 2008 by Pastor Jeff in Daily Living, Uncategorized

It’s not wrong to be obsessed with knowing how to get rid of acne. In fact, it’s something that is a big deal to a lot of teenagers. But if so much attention is given to physical appearance, more should be given to one’s inner self – the character. It is important to have a good image, but the primary focus should be on one’s character

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30


Requesting Prayer For Continued Partnership

Posted on July 26th, 2008 by Pastor Jeff in Ministry, Prayer, Uncategorized

On August 1, 2008, Sold Out Live will be at Manggahan High School. For the past several weeks they have been overseeing the practices for different parts of the program for the high school’s foundation day. It is a blessing that the church has its own van that they could use to transport equipment that they will need for that day, so truck rental won’t be necessary. Please pray that the partnership with the high schools of SBC’s youth ministry would continue to be strengthened.


Justice Not Revenge

Posted on July 25th, 2008 by Pastor Jeff in Daily Living, Uncategorized

Matthew 5:39 “But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”

When we hear this passage and encounter someone who makes an offense against us, especially if it’s a crime, does this passage imply that we shouldn’t get help from people like Chicago personal injury lawyers or anyone of their sort to get justice? This passage doesn’t imply that. God is just and will not tolerate injustice. It simply implies that we don’t necessarily have to take matters into our own hands especially if our motivation is revenge. Jesus focuses here on the heart of the law, “eye for eye, and tooth for tooth,” which is justice and not revenge. A passage that supports and explains this further is Romans 12:19-21 which says, “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”


Listening To the Youth

Posted on July 23rd, 2008 by Pastor Jeff in Ministry, Uncategorized

The age of adolescence, not just for girls, is usually the time when young people become more conscious of themselves. They are especially conscious when they have pimplepimples_0.jpgs or acne. This is something that adults sometimes take for granted and take lightly. But if adults would look back during their teenage years, they would see that they used to be that way, too. So it is important to listen to young people even during these times when what they are concerned about seem futile. Acne.com is the leading source with regards to all things acne. They have articles on treatment, prevention, and much more. We can connect to the youth by engaging them in their concerns and giving proper counsel and helpful tips even in this area.


The Four Spiritual Laws

Posted on July 23rd, 2008 by Pastor Jeff in Missions, Prayer

Just as there are physical laws that govern the physical universe, so are there spiritual laws which govern your relationship with God.


 


1) God LOVES you and offers a wonderful PLAN for your life.

God’s Love
“God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV).

God’s Plan
[Christ speaking] “I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly” [that it might be full and meaningful] (John 10:10).

Why is it that most people are not experiencing the abundant life?
Because…



2) Man is SINFUL and SEPARATED from God. Therefore, he cannot know and experience God’s love and plan for his life.

Man Is Sinful
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
Man was created to have fellowship with God; but, because of his stubborn self-will, he chose to go his own independent way, and fellowship with God was broken. This self-will, characterized by an attitude of active rebellion or passive indifference, is an evidence of what the Bible calls sin.

Man Is Separated
“The wages of sin is death” [spiritual separation from God] (Romans 6:23).

The third law explains the only way to bridge the gulf between God and man…


 


3) Jesus Christ is God’s ONLY provision for man’s sin. Through Him you can know and experience God’s love and plan for your life.

He Died in Our Place
“God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

He Rose From the Dead
“Christ died for our sins…He was buried…He was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures…He appeared to Peter, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred…” (1 Corinthians 15:3-6).

He Is the Only Way to God
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me’” (John 14:6).

It is not enough just to know these three laws…


 


4) We must individually RECEIVE Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know and experience God’s love and plan for our lives.

We Must Receive Christ
“As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12)

We Receive Christ Through Faith
“By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast” (Ephesians 2:8,9).

When We Receive Christ, We Experience a New Birth
(Read John 3:1-8.)

We Receive Christ by Personal Invitation
[Christ speaking] “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him” (Revelation 3:20).

Receiving Christ involves turning to God from self (repentance) and trusting Christ to come into our lives to forgive our sins and to make us what He wants us to be. Just to agree intellectually that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for our sins is not enough. Nor is it enough to have an emotional experience. We receive Jesus Christ by faith, as an act of the will.

The following explains how you can receive Christ:


You Can Receive Christ Right Now by Faith Through Prayer
(Prayer is talking to God)

God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. The following is a suggested prayer:

“Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.”

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart?

If it does, I invite you to pray this prayer right now, and Christ will come into your life, as He promised.

 


Training Is Essential

Posted on July 23rd, 2008 by Pastor Jeff in COmputers & Internet, Ministry, Uncategorized

Receiving the proper training is essential for the success of any endeavor. People who go into ministry receive Bible College or seminary training. Professionals prepare through on-the-job training or what is also known as OJT. In whatever profession or field, training is important to prepare one for situations that will need to be handled on the job.

The (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) MCSE training course from QuickCert can definitely prepare IT professionals to analyze business requirements and design and implement the infrastructure for business solutions. When students complete this MCSE Server 2003 certification training course, they will acquire the skills and knowledge that are required to hurdle the certification exam. This will give them opportunities to lead using their learned skill and knowledge of the most advanced OS (operating system) which is the Microsoft Windows 2003 server.


You Are Not Your Own

Posted on July 23rd, 2008 by Pastor Jeff in Daily Living

 

“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 bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

 

Many skeptics, sometimes even Christians themselves, say many things about drinking alcohol and taking cigarettes or substances that are harmful to any human body.  They argue that there are no explicit commands in the Bible against drinking alcohol or taking cigars.  But the passage above generally covers all these and other habits that we can indulge in that are harmful to our bodies.  Believers in Christ were bought by the blood of Christ and because of that, our bodies should then be used for His glory and that includes not getting involved in harmful substances.