Destined to Be King

by: Pastor Jose V. Velasco, Jr. 

Read: Luke 1:32-33

     Long before the birth of Jesus Christ Isaiah prophesied, “O the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom,”... (Isa. 9:7). Christians believe this prophecy referred to Jesus Christ the Messiah. Our text says, “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.” These were the words of the angel telling Mary that God will give her a son destined to be a king. In the Triumphal Entry to the city of Jerusalem Jesus deliberately acted out in a dramatic way Zechariah’s prophecy about the coming Messiah (Zec. 9:9). By this act He was proclaiming that he was that king riding on a donkey (Mt. 21:5). In His trial Jesus admitted to Pilate that He was a king (Mt. 27:11; Jn. 18:37). Thus prophecy and Jesus Himself declared that He was a king. So down through the ages His followers have been singing about Him, “King of kings, and Lord of lords; And He shall reign forever and ever.”

     What kind of a King is Jesus? Of course, if you know the Jesus we read in the New Testament then you have some answers to that question. Relating to His kingship we may mention some characteristics of Him. When Pilate was questioning him Jesus said that His kingdom is not of this world (Jn. 18:36). The kind of kingdom He rules reflect the kind of king He is. Jesus is not a political ruler, but a spiritual ruler. He does not rule in a throne or office. He rules in the minds and hearts of people (Lk. 17:21). He rules by love because love is the royal law in His kingdom (James 2:8). He does not rule with an iron hand. He shall uphold His kingdom “with justice and righteousness” because He is just and righteous (Isa.9:7). He shall not use physical violence in enforcing His will because it is contrary to love (Jn. 18:36).

     How will Christ become king in the life of an individual person as well as in society? In other words, how is His kingdom established? In biblical times kings usually assimilated other nations into their kingdoms by military conquest. This is not the way of Jesus. He respects our freedom and will not force us. Jesus knocks at the door of our hearts that we may voluntarily accept Him as our King (Rev. 3:20). We have to freely surrender our will to Him, and resolve to obey completely His will. If we don’t there is nothing He can do. So, are you willing to accept Christ as your king in your life? If you have not yet done that right now you may open your heart and invite Him to come in by prayer.  

Prayer: 

     May you come into my heart, Lord Jesus, and be my King. I am completely giving up my will, that your will may be done in me. For your glory and in your name I pray. Amen.

They Bowed Down and Worshiped Him

by: Pastor Jose V. Velasco, Jr. 

Read Matthew 2:9-11

    Upon seeing the new-born Messiah, the immediate impulse of the magi was to worship Him (11). What does it mean to worship? Any common dictionary would tell us that it is the act of offering respect, reverence, love and devotion to a god or deity. Matthew, the writer of this gospel book, mentioned the worship of the magi to imply that they believed Jesus was God. Otherwise they would have been idolaters. There are instances in the Bible stories when some attempted to worship people and angels but they were forbidden to do so (Acts 10:25-26; 14:11-15; Rev. 19:10; 22:8-9). But the magi were allowed to worship Jesus, an acknowledgement of His deity. Jesus is not just a good person, a teacher and a prophet of God. He is God Himself.  

      As a tangible expression of their worship they offered their gifts to Jesus: gold, incense and myrrh (11). From the Old Testament times worship always included offerings and sacrifices. This was God’s mandate. The Psalmist says, “Then there will be righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight you; then bulls will be offered on your altar” (Ps. 51:19). In the New Testament Paul says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship” (Rom. 12:1). When we come to worship we are also given the opportunity to give our offerings. We do not give these to buy God’s favor. He already loves us unconditionally. Rather we give these to express our love and gratitude for the blessings God has already bestowed on us. Some ask, what if I do not have money or offering to give? Could I not come to worship? Of course, you come. God knows what you have because all come from Him. You may give your time, talent, witness by example, loving service to others in need, etc. if these are what you have. These are living sacrifices of worship, according to Paul as cited above.

      But worship is deeper than our gifts and offerings. It is the giving of our total selves to God in love, devotion, trust and obedience. This is the secret of the spontaneous generous giving and service of the Macedonian Christians. As Paul says, “- - they gave themselves first to the Lord - -“ (2 Cor. 8:5). After one has truly surrendered his entire life to God, giving and service in any way will no longer be a hard issue. It will just spontaneously follow.

      If we follow the definition of worship given above worship is not just our act when we go to church on Sundays. It should be a moment by moment attitude of giving God glory and honor in everything we think, say and do. It is a day-by-day life.

Prayer: 

     Lord, you are our awesome and great God. We want to worship and adore you unceasingly, not only with our mouth, but with our entire being. For the sake of your Son and for your glory we pray. Amen.

Created Anew In Christ

by: Pastor Jose V. Velasco  

   

     We have just celebrated New Year. A common theme during this celebration is renewal. But renewal has many categories: political, technological, cultural, religious, etc. Change could be for the better or for the worse. Here, we are not talking merely about a change for the better but for the best. This is so because we are dealing with a renewal towards a right relationship with our God.

        Originally God created the first humans good (Gen. 1:31) and in perfect harmony with Him. He created them in His image to be His beloved children enjoying His peace, joy, love, security, protection and provision of all their needs. Above all Adam and Eve enjoyed the continuing company of their Almighty and loving God who looked after their utmost wellbeing. He put them in the beautiful Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:8,15). This was the original paradise where there was the tree of life (Rev. 2:7). Then Adam and Eve sinned and all of that changed (Gen. 3). Out of guilt they fled and avoided God (Gen. 3:8).They were driven out of Eden, and got separated from God (Gen. 3:23). They were corrupted with sin and God’s image in them was defaced. But the fact of the matter is that this is the story of us all. All of us are sinners and lost God’s glory (Rom. 3:23). Much of our values, ideas, attitudes and life-styles are ungodly. Hence, evil is rampant all around us. But God does not want us to stay that way forever. He wants all to be saved and learn God’s truth (1 Tim. 2:4). He does not want anyone to perish but must repent (2 Pet. 3:9b). So, that sinful condition must be changed and fixed. Jesus called that process “born again” (Jn. 3:3). It includes the restoration of the lost divine image. Since Christ is “the image of the invisible God” (Col. 1:15), we must become like Him spiritually and morally. This is God’s goal for us (Rom. 8:29; 1 Jn. 3:2b). Unless we are born again we will not see the kingdom of God (Jn. 3:3).  How will that renewal happen?

     It is mainly the work of God. Sin has paralyzed us so severely that in our own power and strength we cannot change our sinful nature. Hence, Paul cried miserably, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death” (Rom. 7:24)? God comes to us in Jesus Christ to offer us His love and forgiveness. This is God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). If we believe in Jesus Christ and accept that offer He sends His Holy Spirit to do the renewal in us. “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit” (Jn. 3:6). “And we, - - are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:18).

     What then must we do? We must confess that we are lost sinners and receive His forgiveness (1 Jn. 1:9). In this act of faith we are reunited to God in Christ. Paul said, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Cor.5:17). Are you sure you now have that renewed life in Christ, and live with Him in eternity after this earthly life? If not you may pray the following:

Prayer: 

     Lord God, I humbly acknowledge that I am a lost sinner. I ask you to forgive and cleanse me of all my sins. May you come into my life and be my Lord and King. Renew me and make me your child forever. In Jesus’ wonderful name I pray. Amen.

On Going Renewal

 by: Pastor Jose V. Velasco

      St. Paul characterizes the Christian life with continuing renewal. He says, “Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day” (2 Cor. 4:16). Another word the Bible uses for this process is sanctify, which means make holy. “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified” (1 Thess. 4:3). The common word the Methodists use for this is perfection.  “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt. 5:48). It is the slow process of being perfected in godliness. And it takes a lifetime.

      As Christians why must we undergo continuing renewal? 

      

      First, because we have not yet reached 100 % Christ-likeness. Christ-likeness is God’s ultimate plan for His children, “to be conformed to the likeness of his son” (Rom. 8:29). In the new world to come we shall “bear the likeness of the man from heaven” (1 Cor. 15:49).  This man from heaven is Jesus. So we all have to continue in this renewal as Paul said, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (Phil. 3:12). Like a newly born infant growing unto maturity, we must continue to grow spiritually, even as Jesus grew up to maturity (Lk. 2:52). 

     

      Second, we have to renew our spiritual walk because on the way we frequently fall and stumble. Much of these fallings are unintended. We are all weak human beings and we have our shortcomings. When we fall let us not get stuck there. Let us repent and continue our spiritual journey (1 Jn. 1:9). Through the Holy Spirit’s help let us rise and walk with Him again.

      What are involved in this continuing renewal? 

      First is the renewal of the mind. Paul said, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom. 12:2). Ordinarily, we are what we think. If we are to be Christ-like we must think His thoughts which are embodied in His words and life. Hence, Paul advised, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly..” (Col. 3:16). That will happen only when we diligently take the time to study Jesus’ words and life. 

     Second, we must practice the Christian life as taught and lived by Jesus. Paul said, “- - train yourself to be godly” (1 Tim. 4:7). We must apply what we learn. “For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous” (Rom. 2:13). James says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22). That means that Jesus’ words are instilled into your mind and heart by learning and you live by them. 

     Third, do not forget the role of the Holy Spirit. As you diligently learn Jesus’ words and practice them, the Holy Spirit works in your life reshaping you to become like Christ. “And we - - are being transformed into his likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:18). This necessitates fervent prayers to the Holy Spirit to come into us and transform us unto Christ-likeness. Are you sure, this continuing renewal is taking place in your life? You may join in this prayer:

Prayer: 

     Lord, there is still much to change in my life. I am not yet perfect. I must continue to grow unto Christ-likeness because this is your will for me. May your Holy Spirit work in my life to change me and become like the Lord Jesus Christ. In His holy name I pray. Amen.

Pray Continually

by: Pastor Jose V. Velasco, Jr.

      Our topic is an advice from Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV). He uses the word continually, not continuously. Continuously would mean ongoing praying without any break. Continually would be a regular practice done from time to time.  Most Christians believe in prayer. What is prayer? It is an act of communicating with God. It is His gift to us because God devised and gave it to us as our means of talking and relating with Him. Jesus taught and practiced it. And so did Paul.

      Jesus said that before we pray God already knows our requests and needs (Mt. 6:8). If so, why then do we still need to pray? We pray for at least three reasons. One is we pray to express  our faith in Him. We pray because we believe that God is the source of all our needs. We work only as a means of procuring these blessings He gives us. Prayer is a humble acknowledgement of our dependence on God. And we believe that God is a loving Father who delights in granting our prayers. Two is we pray to express our thanksgiving for His generosity to us. This is what one of the ten healed lepers did and Jesus was pleased (Lk. 17:15-19). We pray, not only to ask for our needs, but to thank God for providing them to us. Three, we just want to be close to the Lord with nothing particular to request. When I was a young boy I would often overhear my grandmother sigh, “Lord, be with us. We commit our everything to you” in a casual way. And this would give her a sense of the peace-giving closeness of God.

      To pray continually as Paul advises improves praying. In a church I worked in the Philippines several years ago, we scheduled a prayer meeting for adults and young people every 5 AM on Saturdays. We separated the youths from the adults so they would not feel overwhelmed by the presence of the adults. I joined the youths as a support and guide. We sat in a circle and each one had to pray even just a brief prayer. I noticed that generally each one would just practically repeat the prayer of the preceding person. The reason was because they could not think much to pray for in their minds. But over time their prayers expanded. They prayed for their parents, their studies, their teachers in school, world peace, the sick, etc. They were growing in the scope of their prayers. Practice makes perfect even in praying.

      As the telephone connects us to people far from us, prayer connects us to God. We are happy when we can talk with our far loved ones on the phone. Prayer also brings us peace, strength, guidance, and a sense of security. Make prayer an important and regular part of your life.

Prayer: 

Lord, we want to be close to you in prayer. Forgive us that often we are too busy to pray. May you teach us to pray. Thank you for your answering our prayers. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. 

Why Did Jesus Die?

 Pastor Jose V. Velasco

   Why is Jesus’ sufferings and death so important to Christians that they are the focus of their reflections during the period of Lent? Why did Jesus suffer and die? We will mention two reasons:

      First, He died because of our sins. In a Bible study a lady commented that she could not see how Jesus in His death could have borne the sins she is committing two thousand years after. This a very relevant question. Of course, Jesus died because of the sins of those who killed him. They are the sins of bigotry, jealousy, hatred, envy, selfishness, pride and fanaticism. But how about our sins in the 21^st century? Yes, the Bible says when we sin we crucify Him again (Heb. 6:4-6). Peter who had nothing to do with the crucifixion says, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree . .” (1 Pet. 2:24).   All sin inflicts sufferings on God (Gen. 6:5-6). Even our sins today cause God to suffer. But Jesus also bore the sins of people hundreds of years before Him. Long before Jesus Isaiah said, “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isa. 53:5).  Jesus’ sufferings and death covers the sins of all people in  human history.

      Second, Jesus died because of God’s unconditional and supreme love for us sinners. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). Jesus could have avoided death. When He was arrested Peter tried to defend Him by cutting the ear of Malchus, the priest’s servant. But Jesus stopped him saying, “Put your sword back in its place, - - . Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” (Mt. 26:52-53). A legion at the least is 3,000 army men. This is all Jesus could have done to defeat forever His enemies. But He did not do this out of love. Jesus said referring to His death, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (Jn. 15:13). Jesus’ dying for sinners is the greatest show of love in the world. 

       It is for us sinners that Christ suffered and died on the cross. He did not condemn us to eternal damnation where we fit. But “God our Savior, - - wants all men to be saved” (1 Tim 2:3). “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Pet.3:9). God in Christ did not hesitate to go to the cross to give us an opportunity to repent and receive forgiveness. But you can either reject or accept His offer. What are you going to do with that ever greatest offer in the world? To receive that offer of forgiveness and redemption you may pray thus:

Prayer: 

Thank you, O Lord Jesus, for your dying for my sins because you love me so much. I repent of all my sins and humbly, but gratefully, accept your offer of loving forgiveness. Come into my life and be my Lord and Savior.  In your holy name I pray. Amen.  

Assurances of the Resurrection

Pastor Jose V. Velasco

    Easter is one of the great celebrated days among Christians. It commemorates the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. In this reflection we want to consider few assurances that the resurrection promises.

   One is eternal life. We all ask with Job, “If a man dies, will he live again?” (Job 14:14). Most people believe that when one dies he continues to live in some ways. A few do not have any specific idea of what happens after death. Others think that after death a person just dissipates to nothingness. People get their ideas about life after death from dreams, superstitions and near death experiences (NDE). Christians base their ideas mainly on the Bible. Our ultimate guarantee for eternal life is Jesus’ resurrection. Before He left His disciples He assured and promised them, “Because I live, you also will live” (Jn. 14:19). Divinely inspired Paul said, “By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also” (1 Cor. 6:14). The living Lord is the guarantee of our resurrection and eternal life.

   Two is Christ’s abiding presence with us. These are Jesus’ promises to His followers: “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them’ (Mt. 18:20); “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Mt. 28:20); “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you” (Jn. 14:18). What do we expect from His abiding presence? We can trust that in our various struggles and trials in life He is there to strengthen and empower us. Paul said, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:13). That does not mean that all our problems will be solved as we expect. But in our stormy lives He supplies us with guidance, patience, endurance, and hope.  He is also our protector. To encourage Paul in his ministry in Corinth the Lord spoke to him in a vision one night saying, “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you . . .” (1 Cor. 18:9-10). Of course, there are times when God allows calamities,

pains, and even death to come to us. But nothing can separate us from His love. Even death will just bring us home to be with God in eternity. 

   Three is peace and joy. In two occasions Jesus said to His disciples, “Peace be with you!” (Jn. 20:19b, 26b). Peace here does not mean the absence of problems and troubles. It means an inner composure or tranquility in spite of problems and troubles. Peace comes when we have the certainty that the God who loves and cares is consistently with us. Joy is that feeling or mood of well-being and delight. It consequently accompanies peace.

   These are some of our great experiences when we have welcomed into our lives the risen and living Lord. So if you are not yet sure that Jesus Christ is in your life you may invite and welcome Him right now with this prayer:

Prayer: 

     Our Lord and Living Christ, I open my heart unto you. Forgive and cleanse me of all my sins. Thank you for all your rich promises. May these promises be real in my life. For your glory and in the Name of Christ, our Living Lord I pray. Amen.