BE BORN AGAIN

In John 3:3 Jesus said to Nicodemus, a Pharisee, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Jesus, the Son of God, is not a liar. He Himself said this in the Scripture. But why do most people don't get this straight? Since most people don't really get it, they don't get born again as a result. They stay where they are, facing the peril of NOT seeing and NOT being in heaven.

Born again means rebirth. It's a spiritual transformation. It is not group membership nor church transfer. To be born again is to have the mind, heart and life changed by God through genuine faith in His Son Jesus, who is God. The Holy Spirit takes up residence in the believer's heart. The Spirit, who is also God, will counsel, comfort and convict the born-again of sin.

When one becomes born again, he is saved, forgiven, justified and redeemed. To this new creation in Christ titles and denominations don't matter anymore.

SEX EDUCATION

I am not totally against the Department of Education's latest move to include sex education in the basic education curriculum for public elementary and high school students. My questions are: Are the educators truly equipped and qualified to educate the young on sex? Are these educators wise enough to know which questions to answer and to NOT answer? How will the DepEd gauge the success of this "experiment"?

Now, we keep claiming the Philippines is a Christian nation. But it is a shame that there is no push at all for the reading and application of the Bible. "What does God say about sex? About sexuality?" The Word of God has answers to them. Excluding God from this "experiment" would further saturate the children with "sex" in this already sexually saturated world of ours.

We always forget that God is far above our sciences, our education, our personal moralities. He has the best instructions for us. I strongly assert, "Let God and His Word take over now!"

Facebook and God

I've been Facebooking for about 16 months now. Just recently I was struck by the conviction that I should daily glorify Jesus Christ on this popular site. Facebook seems to have turned into a temple of the Self. Millions of people tell other millions of people about themselves. People stay on Facebook for hours everyday and Jesus Christ hardly gets a status mention on most FB walls. I admit I have more posts about my "Self" than about the Word of God. As a Christian I must respond to the prompting of the Spirit of God to obey His Word. Jesus said in Matthew 28:19-20, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

If one is indifferent towards the things of God, one can turn Facebook into a Babel Tower. The self is glorified. Man and his many doings are magnified. Facebook is the temple of the king named Self. It's a challenge to put Jesus first on Facebook. And I am faced with this challenge in the light of my recent divine prompting. Truly I accept such challenge like a brave Christian. I will do the things that please the Lord even if it requires my permanent leaving of the Facebook temple.

BLESSED (A Collection of Personal Quotes)

Below are personal quotes posted on my Facebook Wall on May 17, 2010.

"Blessed are they who have become born-again and new creations in Jesus Christ."

"Blessed are they who don't lead double lives."

"Blessed is he who does a good thing for someone and keeps quiet about the good deed."

"Blessed is he who has love and peace in the home."

"Blessed is he who has genuinely loving Christian friends."

"Blessed are they who don't keep up with the Joneses."

"Blessed is he whose basic needs are regularly met."

"Blessed is he who always gives thanks to the Lord God."

"Blessed is he who knows that godly wisdom is superior to human intelligence."

"Blessed is he who is not running away out of guilt from something or someone."

"Blessed is he who has no financial debts."

"Blessed is he who has contentment in the simplicity of his life."

"Blessed is he who has found the Lord God and is found by Him."

"Blessed are they who have the love and respect of their children."

"Blessed is she who has found a loving and faithful God-fearing husband."

"Blessed is he who has found a loving, faithful Christian wife."

"Blessed is he who is ready to face His Creator for the judgment."

"Blessed is he whose heart is filled with Truth and Light."

"Blessed is he who follows the Good Shepherd and not this evil world system."

"Blessed is he who fully gives up pronography for that is what the Holy God desires."

"Blessed are the prodigal sons and daughters who sincerely return in repentance to their loving and merciful Father."

"Blessed is he who walks in the Love of God."

"Blessed is he who reads and follows the Word of God."

MONEY

Money is not evil. The love of it is. I look around and I see people NOT seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. (Matthew 6:33) Instead, they chase money as if that is their Life. Grasping for the wind, they usually run in circles with disappointment on their heels. Money is visible to the eye. God is not. So, money is more an immediate attraction to the poor, the covetous and the greedy.

The promise of God to those who put Him and His Righteousness first will be divine additions. Things will fall into their proper places. What is empty will be filled. Lack turns to overflowing. This is not easily fathomed by people who stubbornly believe that money is their peace, their happiness, their life. They are very wrong and very deceived.

MY GOD (An Original Poem)

MY GOD

My God has a Lamb
and I have never had
any sheep
except that One
so pure and meek.

My God has a Dove
and I have never caged
any pigeon
except that One
so holy and sweet.

My God has given them
to me, a sinner.
Of His love, mercy
and power
I shall always speak.

To the Atheist

define love
and tell me where
the definition comes from.

the meaning of love
is from somewhere,
something or even someone.

you deny God
and yet you know love.
now, you define contradiction.

THE NIGHT ON GOOD FRIDAY (An Original Poem)

*The Night on Good Friday*

Few stars I see
this Good Friday night.
So few they are.
The moon is nowhere
to be seen.
But a spill of silver light
I discern from afar.

Maybe there is drama
in the heavens now.
Angels and God,
reenacting a tragic scene.

Die
die must the Superstar.


WILLIAM SIENES III

REPENTANCE

Repentance is one true sacrifice we can offer God. Repentance is superior to tears. It is not mere lamentation. It is not a public display of self-flagellation nor crucifixion. Repentance is private. Repentance is quiet. It is the 180-degree turning away from sin. And the turning to God for good.

The repentant heart is cleansed by the shed blood of Jesus, the perfect sacrifice for the remission of sins of those who truly believe in Him as Savior and Lord. To repent is to glorify God. And to glorify God is to end the glorification of the Self.

Repentance brings about a delight to please God and a disgust toward sin and sinning. Repentance is an evidence of a person's new life. Anyone who repents is free, joyful, and at peace with himself and God. He is saved.

Stop the Howling

I don't completely believe in violent protests and mass actions. But I totally believe in the power of fervent prayer.

God is a just God. He has solutions to problems of injustice and evil. At His feet we must lay down our grievances and indignations.

Protests turn violent when protesters themselves are propelled by their own volatile tempers. Disgust and discontent go through a slow burn until rage explodes. Eventually both the protester and his cause get hurt. And other people as well are not spared from the wounding.

Peaceful channels like prayer and diplomacy are never dispensable. I would strongly tell protesters to stop their howling and be quiet, instead. This is not to curtail their freedom of expression, but to allow God to direct their steps.

To all protesters and rallyists given to anger, pray and wait on the Lord. Before you take to the streets, make sure you have God on your side.

CORRUPT POLITICS

Corrupt politicians make politics corrupt. Now, if I were asked to try politics, I would right away say No! As a born-again Christian, I must seek first the approval of God and not that of men. A born-again Christian will never be popular and will never succeed in politics in a nation like the Philippines in these current corrupt times. This nation is suffering from a spiritual gangrene which only God can heal. No man and no well-meaning politician can heal this land.

So I would just leave politics to those who can afford to lie, to conceal, to deceive, to flatter, to hoard or even to steal. Others may claim that they are not into dirty politics. Well, I congratulate them. But unfortunately, they are a minority. And speaking of corruption, the Church is not spared from the contagion. And here lies the challenge for all truly God-fearing and God-honoring Christians-- the preaching of the Gospel of Christ and walking the talk.

Apollo Quiboloy

This morning I and a friend rode a taxi. We were on our way to a Christian Sunday morning service. The taxi driver was listening to a religious sermon. When the name Pastor Apollo Quiboloy was mentioned I could not resist the urge to ask the driver questions. He is a member of The Kingdom of Jesus Christ. I boldly, yet respectfully asked him the following:

“Is Quiboloy really the Appointed Son of God? Does he not sin anymore? Is he perfect now?” The answer: “Yes, he is the appointed son of God. He does not sin anymore in thoughts, speech and actions. Therefore, perfect.” To them Jesus is the Father God. He also revealed that Quiboloy has no spouse. But his wife is the New Jerusalem. And his children are the people of the New Jerusalem

“What will happen to the group if Quiboloy dies?” The response: “He will die but God will give him glorified body which will be taken to heaven. Quiboloy’s body will not decompose. The group will survive because God will have someone else to take Quiboloy’s place.”

“How do I go to heaven? Should I be a member of your group?” The quick answer: The new heaven is already here on Earth. The new Jerusalem. One should receive the spirit of God to be part of the kingdom. You must be baptized in the group.”

My BIG QUESTION was, “Which verse in the Bible states that Quiboloy is the appointed son of God?” The answer was not given immediately. The driver stated, “I don’t know but please read Psalm 25:14….If you ask the father, he will reveal to you that Quiboloy is his appointed son.”

I did search for the verse while I was waiting for the service to start. The verse was not at all proof. I praised and worshiped God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit this morning.

The TRUTH! I have it. I have Him.

MY GOD (an original poem)

MY GOD

My God has a Lamb
and I have never had
any sheep
except that One
so pure and meek.

My God has a Dove
and I have never caged
any pigeon
except that One
so holy and sweet.

My God has given them
to me, a sinner.
Of His love, mercy
and power
I shall always speak.

CONDOMS

Condoms are said to protect people from getting the HIV/AIDS. But they are not actually bestsellers here in the country. Our men prefer to be unsheathed. Real sexual sensation is an aim, an intent.

Well, condoms work. So do information and campaigns. But not always. Why? Condoms are physical barriers. Knowledge and info are mental weapons. But we always miss the heart of man. His very spirit. That's the very place where change must begin. It's where the Word of God must touch and penetrate. If the heart of man/woman is circumcised through divine intervention, there will be hunger for holiness, something which condoms and campaigns can never cause to create in the heart of man.

POLITICS

They are running for president because they say they want to serve the country. God knows the real reason why they are running. Candidates speak of noble things like change, justice and peace. But God sees and knows their hearts. Politics nowadays is seldom about serving. It is self-serving in the guise of public service. Godly politics is an oxymoron. God is never given the political throne in this world.

The Solution

Any attempt to solve a problem, like the HIV epidemic, with the exclusion of God and His Word, is only bound to fail. How foolish to rely solely on man, his sciences and his devices. Information and knowledge are insufficient weapons in dealing with a health crisis. God should be seen as the Solver. His Word the solution.

Proverbs 4:20-22 says, My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life to those that find them, and health to all their flesh. (KJV)

The Promiscuous

The sexually promiscuous know the consequences of their risky behavior. Tell them to abstain and they will not because they cannot. Tell them to have protection and they will not be totally committed to self-protect. I don't think there is a lack of information on how one can prevent from being infected with HIV. The problem lies in the spirit of the individual. The spirit of our present times, which is morally base and ungodly, has caused so much destruction in the lives of many people. The spread of the HIV can only be checked if the spirit of man wholeheartedly returns to his Holy Maker. In God there is hope for the corrupt spirit of man.

Prayer

When the body is sick, the prayers come and they come strong. When one is in fine fettle, the prayers are feeble, if they are said at all. And that is very common among us. Prayers should never be seasonal. Prayers are meant to be constant and consistent. The more thankful we are, the more aware we become of the need to pray and praise God. In weakness and in good health we have to call unto the Almighty. How selfish and how poor we are if we're mere beggars in our praying.

Pimples and God

I remember having prayed quite a few times for a friend, whose pimply face was his occasional source of worry. He tried hard to rid himself of mild acne by applying soap infused with papaya ingredients. But the regular washing and the nightly application of Eskinol were not enough to eliminate the zits.

Prayer was my strong suggestion. What is a mere pimple to God? So without wavering we both humbled ourselves before the throne of the Almighty, the Maker of body and skin. I prayed in the Name of Jesus for the skin to be clear. After the prayer we both trusted God to touch my friend's face for cleansing.

My friend until now has a few pimples. But he was partly rid of something--- vanity! Glory to God!

Light

Our office restroom, unisex and not very clean, is in need of a new light. Dim and feeble, the noodle-looking bulb needs to be replaced with a new one. We were instructed not to switch off the light because this would cause the bulb to go dead for some time. Its light would only return after much manipulation of the switch. Imagine us performing the urination and defecation in total blackness. How fearfully black and private.

I as a Christian, a believer in the Lord Jesus, have to be always ON for Him who is the true Light. If I were to switch off the light of my faith, I render myself prone to be OFF and even DEAD for some time. How dark that would be of me.