JRAM Declaration Theme for 2013

The Scriptures are filled with many declarations. Jesus shouted, "It is finished" before He died signifying the completion of His sacrifice as the Lamb of God. Then He declared that He will come back again in John 14:3, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” Here are declarations that we believe and lived by. Thus the Jesus Rock of Ages Ministries also have a declaration theme for 2013, “Greater Things Have Yet To Come.”

It is coupled with a Scriptural declaration taken from Joshua 3:5 (ESV) exhorting the nation of Israel to, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you." One key to attaining this to fruition is to consecrate our lives to see God’s greater things. The person in the image that represents each one of us is shouting from the mountaintop this declaration. Thus, we are but echoing what Jesus told His people would do, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12 ESV).

We believe therefore we speak that 2013 would be a year for “Greater Things Yet to Come.” Get ready JRAM congregations…..

What will you do on December 25th?

Christmas is celebrated and enjoyed not just by adherents of Christianity but even those that are outside of it. There is something unique about it that many are enthralled by its significance. While for us, Christian believers, it is about the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. Let us set aside for a moment the many controversies about celebrating it during wintertime but focus instead of its value to us: the coming of the Immanuel, “God with us” our Savior, in human form.

What are expected of us as Christian believers in relation to Christmas? How should we celebrate it? I believe that there are many great things about it that we need to emphasize: the miracle of the Virgin birth; the promise fulfilled in sending the Savior of the world; God’s love for humanity; and many others worthy of note. While other religions celebrate their faith through their own holidays with such gusto, unfortunately, it is not the same with Christians on some levels. I do not intend to offend but to awaken many of us to the fact that Christmas is a Christian celebration. Sadly, it is being hijacked by secular observance of materialism; other symbols used, whether intentionally or unintentionally, draw away from Jesus as the Reason for the Christmas celebration.

I believe that we as Christians must begin to place great value on celebrating Christmas whenever it comes. Remember that there is a war against it and we are not exempt from the attacks of relegating it as an ordinary celebration. In addition, there are Christians who cannot celebrate it openly due to religious persecution. Even the “Merry Christmas” greeting is being labeled offensive by many sectors.

I would like to appeal to many Christians to set aside Christmas day, December 25^th, as high priority for a witness to the world of its importance to us by simply attending a Christmas Day service wherever you are during this time with other Christian believers whenever possible and not to miss it for any other reason. Although many will argue that it can be celebrated on our own in the privacy of our homes with our families, however, in my opinion, it is very important for all Christians to make a public profession of our faith and to acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior especially on Christmas Day.

Just observe how many celebrates their birthdays as important milestones. How much more that Christmas affects not just Christians but many people all over the world. Isn’t this something to look forward to and to share why Jesus came to this world? He did not bring any gifts but He became the greatest gift as the Savior of the world.

C’mon Christians of the world, December 25^th is one of the two major significant day of our calendar, the other, Easter. Come out and show the world that we are proud of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The angelic host announced His coming and it is now our turn to announce that He came. Let’s celebrate it while we can do so openly. Would there be a time that we can’t? I hope not.

Christmas day comes only once a year; therefore, let’s not miss the opportunity of celebrating it with other believers in our community. Go to your local church or find a church to attend a Christmas service on December 25^th whether you’re at home or on vacation. There’s no other reason worthy enough to miss attending a Christmas Day service to commemorate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.

As for my family, and myself, we will be counted present among other believers who will choose to attend a Christmas day service to honor Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world. How about you and your family, where will you be on Christmas Day?

Merry Christmas to all!

Why the World WILL NOT End on December 21, 2012…

Please click here: Why the World WILL NOT End on December 21, 2012…

Christmas Blessings

Time flies and Christmas is here again. Although there is a huge contrast in celebrating Christmas here in Canada and the Philippines, nonetheless, the reason is the same: Jesus coming to the world 2,000 years ago. This is the main reason that we should celebrate it in the first place: He came. And to fully understand its significance to humanity, we should go back to the beginning of its origin. Why do we celebrate Christmas? Is it a time to indulge in shopping extravaganza?  Is it just to buy and exchange gifts? Another holiday excuse to rest and take the time off? Unfortunately, this is what transpires in celebrating Christmas every year. However, we should aim to consider the main focus of it all, i.e., Christianity has Christmas in order to celebrate the coming of Jesus the Savior in this world.

Historically, Christmas was done to become an alternative to a pagan holiday coinciding during winter season and it was an intention well thought of. Every aspect of this pagan holiday was altered to reflect the greater meaning of Christmas. On the other hand, the early church in the New Testament does not celebrate Christmas or the birthday of Jesus but instead his death, burial and resurrection. But no matter what the reason maybe, we have it, thus, Christmas must become an opportunity for hope and love to abound. Also, this is the time that families get together; generosity becomes the norm of the season; friends celebrate to enjoy each other’s company. Altogether, there is something about Christmas that anyone wants to be part of.  There is probably the negative side of being stressed on what to buy and what to give our loved ones and friends. But I think (and I maybe wrong!) this is one way of celebrating Christmas fun and enjoyable? How to avoid stress? Just go out there and give what you believe will be acceptable as the best gift in your own opinion. (A special note to those who will receive, don’t criticize what you will get. Just express your gratitude towards the giver and smile when you open the gift and enjoy it just the same as the giver hopes that you will do).

What makes Christmas such an important holiday for Christians? When you come to take a hard look at it’s meaning, you will find that humility is at the core that made it all happen. Humility was the key attitude of the first Christmas characters. When greeted by the angel Gabriel and told of the news of her pregnancy through the Holy Spirit, Mary’s immediate action was fear yet she was assured as recorded in Luke 1:30-33; 38, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." Her reply was, "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said…"(NIV) Even Joseph, Mary’s fiancé after hearing her pregnancy initially decided to break off their engagement but was visited by an angel in his dream explaining God’s plan and upon understanding it withdrew his plan. His next action and immediate response was definite and calculated as described in Matthew 1:24, “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.” (NIV)

But the most important action was done by Jesus above all as described in Phil 2:5-8, ‘Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself.” NIV

Humility is setting aside what you believe by allowing God to change your aspiration towards His desire for your life. Therefore, humility is at the core of Christmas. It was the foundational principle of this season and all Christmas blessings we enjoy today emanated from this attitude. In the 21^st century, how are we going to apply humility? The answer is clear; adopting a mind-set of humility will clarify our intentions in all our activities. It is the intention of being a blessing this Christmas.  It must become the hallmark of our actions. And to bless others must be the firm resolution of those who are able to do so. Mary, Joseph and Jesus became the Christmas blessings for humanity when they humbled themselves to obey God’s plan. 

What then will be your Christmas blessing to others this Christmas? You need to think for a while and come up with a list. It should be intentional not incidental blessings. If you are looking for an opportunity to genuinely bless and become a blessing to others, Christmas is an excellent occasion to begin. Merry Christmas to all!

Let’s talk again!

Life’s Disruptions

Life is filled with many disruptions that may seem to bother us a lot yet we should not become too carried away to describe all disruptions as mere annoyance. Moreover, there are life disruptions that can be blessings in disguise and may bring us what we are waiting for to come especially those that come from God. He has His own way of bringing disruptions in our lives that will bring alignment to where He desires us to be situated. “The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit. Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established”(Proverbs 16:1-3 ESV).

Let me share what I come across to illustrate what I mean: “As the golfer approached the first tee, a hazardous hole with a green surrounded by water, he debated if he should use his new golf ball. Deciding that the hole was too treacherous, he pulled out an old ball and placed it on the tee. Just then he heard a voice from above say loudly: “Use the new ball!” Frightened, he replaced the old ball with the new one and approached the tee. Now the voice from above shouted: “Take a practice swing!”  With this, the golfer stepped backward and took a swing.  Feeling more confident, he approached the tee when the voice again rang out:  “Use the old ball.”

It is very obvious that the golfer in the story needed the time to relax and gain a needed boost of confidence before hitting the ball. I think it was not about which ball to use but just to have a time to breathe and unwind before hitting the old ball. Usually, this is what little or big disruptions are all about, to have just a short pause for a much needed composure. They come our way to provide us ample time to pause and think before continuing onto the daily grind up until the next big move. Sometimes we consider them as momentum breakers but might have the opposite effect and instead become momentum boosters. Just always keep an open perspective about the disruptions that comes your way beginning today. You never know what will happen next.

Let me add another important reminder for us to think about every time a disruption comes: “When God bolts the door, don't try to get in through the window.  The will of God never will lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you.” It becomes especially true when we say, “Lord, let your will be done in my life.” God takes it seriously when we utter these words to Him and we must know for sure that we are ready for what He will bring our way as a result. Always remember that our view of disruptions maybe different from God’s view as prophet Isaiah described it powerfully, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV)

Allow me to provide you these things to ponder: a) Every plan can be followed through unless God disrupts it; b) Every plan can be complete unless God intervenes in the process, and, c) Every plan can be realized unless God takes over and gives you a better one. The bottom line is simply this: “The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man's salvation, faith and life is either expressly set down in Scripture or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture, unto which nothing at anytime is to be added whether by new revelations of the Spirit or traditions of man” (From the Westminster Confession of Faith). When God is fully in control of your life, every disruption that comes along your way are necessary to bring you closer in fulfilling your destiny that God has given you since you were born. Never lose sight of this fact and you’ll appreciate that the little pesky disruptions might be a way for God telling you, “Don’t worry, I’m just putting these things in order to make your journey of life much better and more exciting.”

Let’s talk again!