New Birth

Meditation:

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3

Explanation:

Nicodemus was so impressed with the miracles Jesus had done that he wanted to find out more. He asked Jesus about miracles, and Jesus began to talk to him about births. It's as if Jesus was saying, "Nicodemus, if you want to understand miracles, you're going to have to become a miracle." Now Nicodemus was an intelligent man. He was a ruler of the Jews and a Sanhedrin, and yet, with all of his learning, Jesus said to him, "Except you are born again, you cannot see the kingdom of God." People simply can't understand spiritual things until the Holy Spirit of God turns the light on in their souls.

Ipanganak na muli ito ang isang bagay na mahirap maunawaan agad ng isang tao, kung paano ipanganganak na muli ang isang matanda na. Tulad ni Nicodemus na nakatingin sa natural na katawan at sa kaanyuan ng ipanganganak na muli. Paano nga ba natin ito ipauunawa sa isang tao na nagtatanong ng ganito. Meron ba tayong bahagi dito, meron sabi ni Apostol Pablo ipahayag mo lang ang pag-ibig at salita ng Diyos sa tao, ang salita o ang Diyos ang Siyang kikilos para sa sunod na pangyayari. Bakit kamo? Sapagkat sabi sa Juan 6:44 - na maliban na dalhin ng ama sa aking paanan ang isang kaluluwa wala akong o tayong magagawa. Ibig sabihin ang Diyos pa rin ang may kontrol ng lahat ng bagay, tayoy mga instrumento lamang.

Do you know someone who has a lot of education, but no salvation? I challenge you to share this same Good News with him or her today.

No Other

Meditation:
"Thou shalt have no other gods before Me." Exodus 20:3

Explanation:

What is an idol and how does it come to be? An idol is created when a man takes his own ideas and puts them into the work of his hands and begins to worship that. What he is really worshiping is himself. You may say, "Well, I'm not guilty of idolatry." Let's just see. Is there anything you love more than God? Is there anything you fear more than God? Is there anything you serve more than God? Is there anything you trust more than God? Am I getting hot? You say, "Well, I give God a place in my life." God doesn't want a place in your life. Then, you say, "Well, I give God prominence in my life." God despises prominence in your life. God demands preeminence in your life. He will take nothing less.

Sa ating sarili sinasabi natin lagi na ang Diyos lamang ang Siyang nangunguna sa buhay natin, subalit yun ay sa salita lamang, wala sa gawa sapagkat taliwas ito sa nakikita sa atin. Sabi nga anumang bagay, o sitwasyon na mas higit sa Diyos matatawag nating pagsamba sa diyos-diyusan yun. Sapagkat sinasabi sa kasulatan na hindi ka makakapag-silbi sa dalawang master, iibigin ang isa at itatakwil ang isa. Yan ang ibig na wag mangyari ng Diyos sa atin sapagkat alam Niya ang kahinaan ng tao. Pero ano ang dapat gawin patungkol dito, ang tanging masasabi ko, pagsikapan natin na laging una ang Diyos sa ating buhay bilang panginoon, master, at kalakasan.

Is there anyone or anything in your life that takes precedence over God? Confess it and repent of it. Now, put on the throne the rightful Master -- the Lord Jesus!

Set Apart

Meditation:
“But now since you have been set free from sin…you have your present reward in holiness and its end is eternal life” (Romans 6:22).

Explanation:
Holiness is a powerful force in our lives. It leads us to eternal life. Holiness simply means being “set apart.” You are set apart when you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. He makes His home in you, and His holiness lives on the inside of you, too. The Bible tells us that without holiness, no one can see God. God sets us apart and calls us His own, but it’s up to us to continue living a life that is set apart from sin and destructive influences. We have to set ourselves apart from our old ways, old behaviors, and old mindsets. Remember, God chose to set you apart for Himself because He loves you. He doesn’t want anything to keep you from His promises and blessings. Make the decision to let go of anything that would hold you back today. Remember, you are set apart for God’s purposes. Let that sink down into your heart today and fill you with hope. As you embrace holiness and live a life that is set apart, you will see God, and you will live the abundant life He has in store for you!

Dapat ganito ang mangyari sa bawat isa sa atin pagkatapos na tanggapin natin ang ating Panginoong Hesus bilang tagapaglitas. Subalit iilan sa atin ang nakaka-sumpong ng tamang daan ayon sa hinihingi ng kasulatan na tayo'y magpaka-banal sapagkat ang Diyos ay banal. Sa ating pagsusumikap na masunod ang layunin ng Diyos sa atin, tatanggap tayo ng buhay na walang hanggan. Dapat ito ang ating laging isa-isip sapagkat tayo'y inihiwalay na ni Hesus mula sa kadiliman patungo sa kaliwanagan, kaya dapat tayo'y magsikap na masunod ito. Marami ang hindi naniniwala sa ganitong pamamaraan, ang alam nila ay gumawa sa sariling kapamaraanan, sa kanilang kakayanan, nakalimutan na tanging Diyos lamang ang makagagawa noon sa ating mga buhay.

Father in heaven, thank You for setting me apart and making me holy in Your sight. I choose to live a life that is set apart and pleasing to You. Fill me with Your peace and power today so I can honor You always. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.