STRAIGHT FROM MY HEART
BY: Rev. Arnel C. Tan
Let me express my thanks to all of you prayed for our trip to Singapore last July 17-22. The Lord has touched the hearts of many of our Singaporean brethren at Queenstown Baptist Church. I have also the chance to pray and meet with the staff and leaders of the Singapore Baptist Convention, and a special time of prayer with the local Pastors. We also have the privilege of meeting and praying with the pastors and deacons of Queenstown Baptist Church. It was also a joyful chance to meet our young couples is now in Singapore. Bren and Dianne Chua truly blessed our hearts. Let us also be reminded to always wait upon the Lord in prayer, and not be in a hurry to do things our way.
Last week our church mission started under the leadership of Pastor Bobby Narcisso, along with joyful volunteers. They fed the school kids of Bolton Elementary School, the fed 62 students. My heart is overwhelmed because this is not just an activity of the church, it is a ministry birthed in prayer. Remember that our challenge is not about giving money or being a volunteer our challenge is to bring this matter to prayer and from there listen to the Lord. We are committed to feed the kids for the next 6 months. I ask you to be prayerful about this and connect with Pastor Bob for more details.
Our next batch of baptism is coming soon. Pray about this and look for Pastor Felix Ambingan for details. Let us prayerfully ask God to touch hearts of those who want to be baptized into the membership of Davao Chinese Baptist Church. The Lord is doing something only He can do during our prayer meetings. It here that we as God’s people call upon the Lord, together we pray and listen and spend time to know God more. Hope to see you on Wednesdays and Fridays 6-7pm. Everyday the church is open from 5am to 6pm for those who want to spend time in prayer. Just register your name to the guard on duty.
Finally we said goodbye to Lalai and his son as they are now bound for the USA. We are thankful for her unselfish ministry in music and with the young professionals. It was a special time for fellowship as I officiated the wedding of John and Juvy last July 29, at Sea Urchin Restaurant. Let us remember John and Juvy Dafielmoto in prayer as they start their journey in marriage. As we end the month July and enter the month of August let us find our reminders as have our communion today. Let us also remember the wisdom of living in godly contentment.
May we truly worship and honor the Lord today.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Pulpit To Pew
PULPIT TO PEW
I sincerely ask your prayers for me at this moment as I preach in Queenstown Baptist Church for two services today. I am doing the same for you as you listen to God’s word through Deacon Jerry Francisco and Pastor Cezil Perales. My week ahead especially in the evenings will be spend on speaking to our Singaporean and Filipino friends, please ask God for grace and wisdom as I do the ministry here.
I am grateful to the Lord for our co workers there in church our Pastors who actively pray and touch lives on the daily basis as they minister to many of you. This past week was a time for hospital visits and comforting others especially those who lost a love one. Please be very prayerful as we do our feeding ministry this week at the Bolton Elementary School, about 30 to 45 kids needs help. As you bring this to prayer see Pastor Bobby Narcisso for details. I think the feeding will start this week July 22-23.
I look forward in seeing you again next week. Lord willing I will be back on Friday for prayer meeting surely I will not miss this event in our church calendar. I am prayerful that the Lord will bring more people who will call upon the Lord during our prayer meetings. Everyday our church is open from 5am to 6pm for those who want to have some quiet moments with the Lord in prayer (just register your name to the guard)). Every morning a pastor is assigned to lead a prayer time 6:30-7:30am and on Wednesday nights we also have our bible study and prayer meeting 6pm.
My heart is with you as you worship today. Again as the Lord reminds you please pray for me here in Singapore. Remember to pray for my family too I will surely miss them this time of temporary good bye. Let us always remember that it always honors the Lord when we call upon His name and His promise remains the same He Himself is near to those who call upon Him in truth (Psalm 145:18).
HAVE A GOD CENTERED AND GRACE FILLED WORSHIP SERVICE TODAY!
Prayerfully,
REV. ARNEL C. TAN
I sincerely ask your prayers for me at this moment as I preach in Queenstown Baptist Church for two services today. I am doing the same for you as you listen to God’s word through Deacon Jerry Francisco and Pastor Cezil Perales. My week ahead especially in the evenings will be spend on speaking to our Singaporean and Filipino friends, please ask God for grace and wisdom as I do the ministry here.
I am grateful to the Lord for our co workers there in church our Pastors who actively pray and touch lives on the daily basis as they minister to many of you. This past week was a time for hospital visits and comforting others especially those who lost a love one. Please be very prayerful as we do our feeding ministry this week at the Bolton Elementary School, about 30 to 45 kids needs help. As you bring this to prayer see Pastor Bobby Narcisso for details. I think the feeding will start this week July 22-23.
I look forward in seeing you again next week. Lord willing I will be back on Friday for prayer meeting surely I will not miss this event in our church calendar. I am prayerful that the Lord will bring more people who will call upon the Lord during our prayer meetings. Everyday our church is open from 5am to 6pm for those who want to have some quiet moments with the Lord in prayer (just register your name to the guard)). Every morning a pastor is assigned to lead a prayer time 6:30-7:30am and on Wednesday nights we also have our bible study and prayer meeting 6pm.
My heart is with you as you worship today. Again as the Lord reminds you please pray for me here in Singapore. Remember to pray for my family too I will surely miss them this time of temporary good bye. Let us always remember that it always honors the Lord when we call upon His name and His promise remains the same He Himself is near to those who call upon Him in truth (Psalm 145:18).
HAVE A GOD CENTERED AND GRACE FILLED WORSHIP SERVICE TODAY!
Prayerfully,
REV. ARNEL C. TAN
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Pulpit To Pew
CONTENTMENT MOMENT
BY: Rev. Arnel Tan
“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether, I have much or little.” Philippians 4:11 NLT
The source of Paul’s joy despite the circumstances around him was the fact that he is able to learn contentment. Contentment is not applicable to one’s relationship with God or to one’s spiritual walk; it is best applied to the material world rather than the spiritual journey. It is when we are walking in brokenness that a growing discontent in our lives becomes so strong while a loss of appetite for the temporary is also growing. To learn material contentment we must first learn to be spiritually not content with where we are. As we find such holy dissatisfaction in our spiritual lives we enjoy learning to live above our situations.
Moments or moment of contentment has always been a regular visitor. But we seldom take time to stop and have a chat with contentment. Perhaps too busy, too complicated and too proud to stoop and talk a while. But in some rare occasion contentment moments are enjoyed and there we finally enjoy a deep kind of rest out of an ordinary moment. Sometimes routinely, most often spontaneously we find ourselves not in hurry to finish something. It happens when we can drink a cup of coffee minus the presence of pressure. A time to read a chapter from a book that we have long planned to read, a smile due to a recollection of something pleasant. These are precious moments of contentment that we all need to humbly admit we need to learn and re learn as we go through this journey.
It is actually seeing every moment in the eyes of grace and living each moment under the control of God. Not every moment will be serene and nostalgic and romantic, yet a person who has learned the art of contentment have clearly fixed the boundary of wants and needs. And with the eyes of simple faith he enjoys the mixture of brokenness and blessedness, being full and being empty. Without pretending those who learn contentment admits that life is hard and difficult but in grace they stopped controlling what is not under their control. An authentic Christ like attitude is a result of being under the influence of Christ. Take peek on these lists of the process of leaning contentment:
• We learn contentment by not demanding our way instead we become understanding of others
• We learn contentment by not pretending that we don’t have a need but by becoming willing to adjust to situations God allow
• We learn contentment by not trusting our strength instead availing of Christ’s strength
• We learn contentment by not neglecting other instead affirming their partnership in fulfilling God’s purpose.
• We learn contentment by not forgetting that God is the ultimate supplier of our needs, remembering that others are His instruments.
• We learn contentment by not abusing the kindness of others instead we show gratitude and integrity in grace.
Enjoy the learning moments and enjoy more moments of contentment.
BY: Rev. Arnel Tan
“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether, I have much or little.” Philippians 4:11 NLT
The source of Paul’s joy despite the circumstances around him was the fact that he is able to learn contentment. Contentment is not applicable to one’s relationship with God or to one’s spiritual walk; it is best applied to the material world rather than the spiritual journey. It is when we are walking in brokenness that a growing discontent in our lives becomes so strong while a loss of appetite for the temporary is also growing. To learn material contentment we must first learn to be spiritually not content with where we are. As we find such holy dissatisfaction in our spiritual lives we enjoy learning to live above our situations.
Moments or moment of contentment has always been a regular visitor. But we seldom take time to stop and have a chat with contentment. Perhaps too busy, too complicated and too proud to stoop and talk a while. But in some rare occasion contentment moments are enjoyed and there we finally enjoy a deep kind of rest out of an ordinary moment. Sometimes routinely, most often spontaneously we find ourselves not in hurry to finish something. It happens when we can drink a cup of coffee minus the presence of pressure. A time to read a chapter from a book that we have long planned to read, a smile due to a recollection of something pleasant. These are precious moments of contentment that we all need to humbly admit we need to learn and re learn as we go through this journey.
It is actually seeing every moment in the eyes of grace and living each moment under the control of God. Not every moment will be serene and nostalgic and romantic, yet a person who has learned the art of contentment have clearly fixed the boundary of wants and needs. And with the eyes of simple faith he enjoys the mixture of brokenness and blessedness, being full and being empty. Without pretending those who learn contentment admits that life is hard and difficult but in grace they stopped controlling what is not under their control. An authentic Christ like attitude is a result of being under the influence of Christ. Take peek on these lists of the process of leaning contentment:
• We learn contentment by not demanding our way instead we become understanding of others
• We learn contentment by not pretending that we don’t have a need but by becoming willing to adjust to situations God allow
• We learn contentment by not trusting our strength instead availing of Christ’s strength
• We learn contentment by not neglecting other instead affirming their partnership in fulfilling God’s purpose.
• We learn contentment by not forgetting that God is the ultimate supplier of our needs, remembering that others are His instruments.
• We learn contentment by not abusing the kindness of others instead we show gratitude and integrity in grace.
Enjoy the learning moments and enjoy more moments of contentment.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Pulpit To Pew
BROKENNESS IN WAITING
By : Rev. Arnel Tan
“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14 NLT
What’s the difference between waiting for the LORD and waiting patiently for the LORD? I think the first waiting is our response to the circumstances that demands our compliance to wait, while the second waiting is a result of God’s dealing with us in brokenness that now opens a willingness to wait for the Lord. Somehow life is designed by God with many deliberate stops or pauses. We see God’s appointed waiting sheds and from there we gain better perspective and live simple lives of faith.
On the outset to wait upon the Lord leaves us no choice. Like we wait for flights, for the weather to calm down, for our numbers to be called while falling in line at the government office or movie house waiting is a part of existing. Waiting patiently for the Lord is the result of God’s dealing with us in brokenness. Waiting for the Lord is compliance while waiting patiently for the Lord is friendship. It takes brokenness to see this point and more brokenness to appreciate and desire this state of waiting patiently for the Lord.
How long is our waiting time? Honestly, it is difficult to tell or to predict. One is certain the Lord will meet us in this appointed time. It is here that we are confronted with the humbling truth that we are not in control of everything. It is here that we see our helplessness. It is also here that we hear the invitation of the Almighty to cease striving and to slowdown and know God. This is not easy to appreciate but when we learn to wait patiently for the Lord it becomes hunger hard to deny.
The delays and denials are actually preparations for the blessings that God is more than willing to give. Why is it so necessary to be broken before enjoying whatever God wants us to have? Because it is in being broken that we actually learn to savor and truly enjoy God’s blessings. Here God is honored and we are humbled. In waiting patiently our need for grace is so clear, in waiting patiently our dark side is expose and our prayers are intense. It is also in waiting patiently that our appetite for the glory of God and for Him to be glorified grows strong and deep. Waiting, praying, worshipping patiently is now the delight of our souls.
By : Rev. Arnel Tan
“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14 NLT
What’s the difference between waiting for the LORD and waiting patiently for the LORD? I think the first waiting is our response to the circumstances that demands our compliance to wait, while the second waiting is a result of God’s dealing with us in brokenness that now opens a willingness to wait for the Lord. Somehow life is designed by God with many deliberate stops or pauses. We see God’s appointed waiting sheds and from there we gain better perspective and live simple lives of faith.
On the outset to wait upon the Lord leaves us no choice. Like we wait for flights, for the weather to calm down, for our numbers to be called while falling in line at the government office or movie house waiting is a part of existing. Waiting patiently for the Lord is the result of God’s dealing with us in brokenness. Waiting for the Lord is compliance while waiting patiently for the Lord is friendship. It takes brokenness to see this point and more brokenness to appreciate and desire this state of waiting patiently for the Lord.
How long is our waiting time? Honestly, it is difficult to tell or to predict. One is certain the Lord will meet us in this appointed time. It is here that we are confronted with the humbling truth that we are not in control of everything. It is here that we see our helplessness. It is also here that we hear the invitation of the Almighty to cease striving and to slowdown and know God. This is not easy to appreciate but when we learn to wait patiently for the Lord it becomes hunger hard to deny.
The delays and denials are actually preparations for the blessings that God is more than willing to give. Why is it so necessary to be broken before enjoying whatever God wants us to have? Because it is in being broken that we actually learn to savor and truly enjoy God’s blessings. Here God is honored and we are humbled. In waiting patiently our need for grace is so clear, in waiting patiently our dark side is expose and our prayers are intense. It is also in waiting patiently that our appetite for the glory of God and for Him to be glorified grows strong and deep. Waiting, praying, worshipping patiently is now the delight of our souls.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
PROGRESS WITHOUT PRAYER IS PRESSURE
PROGRESS WITHOUT PRAYER IS PRESSURE
Rev. Arnel Tan
“Then we can spend our time in prayer and preaching and teaching the word of God” Acts 6:4 NLT
The progress of the early church is now heating the pressure for problems. One thing hard with success is it can be fatal to the spiritual life of an individual or church. Progress is something wonderful to experience and admittedly this has been the driving goal of our hard works. While progress is a positive thing it has also its own side effects. The truth the person or any organization that is experiencing progress or success without spiritual reserves will soon wake up facing unbelievable pressure.
The Apostle and the membership of the early church showed a remarkable sign of deep spiritual maturity when they adamantly stood for prayer as the priority over projects. The prayer lives of the apostles and the prayer life of the church resulted to spiritual sensitivity that they detect the trap of progress without prayer. This dilemma of many of us today, aside from our depleted prayer lives; we are also depleted in our ability to discern what God desires. I want to clarify that to be progressive is not bad. The issue here is the forgetfulness of many to put prayer over progress.
When prayer is priority over progress the pressure of progress is controlled. In prayer we see the difference between our good intention and God’s approval. The desire to know God is intensified compared to just being busy doing Christian activities. In prayer pressure is off because we have the focus over the one thing that God wants us to do. In prayer we learn to rest and not join the rat race for further success. In prayer the Lord develops within us the spiritual sensitivity to detect when something is wrong even when the outside signs say nothing is wrong.
Progress becomes an unbelievable and unending pressure because prayer takes the back seat. Less prayer leads to prayerlessness. Here the work that God has started is now perfected by human effort. No wonder why Paul used the word “foolish” to rebuke the Galatians of their human effort in doing the work of God. The progress we see the more prayers we say. How impossible to handle the blessings of abundance when we are not intoned with the Giver of these gifts. Warnings have been issued all through out the bible from the books of Deuteronomy to the Epistles we have been warned not to fall to the trap of progress. As the Lord allows His favor to flow let us be on our knees to pray! If problems brought us to prayer the more we should be on our knees when things are progressing for it is here that we are most vulnerable to forget God.
Rev. Arnel Tan
“Then we can spend our time in prayer and preaching and teaching the word of God” Acts 6:4 NLT
The progress of the early church is now heating the pressure for problems. One thing hard with success is it can be fatal to the spiritual life of an individual or church. Progress is something wonderful to experience and admittedly this has been the driving goal of our hard works. While progress is a positive thing it has also its own side effects. The truth the person or any organization that is experiencing progress or success without spiritual reserves will soon wake up facing unbelievable pressure.
The Apostle and the membership of the early church showed a remarkable sign of deep spiritual maturity when they adamantly stood for prayer as the priority over projects. The prayer lives of the apostles and the prayer life of the church resulted to spiritual sensitivity that they detect the trap of progress without prayer. This dilemma of many of us today, aside from our depleted prayer lives; we are also depleted in our ability to discern what God desires. I want to clarify that to be progressive is not bad. The issue here is the forgetfulness of many to put prayer over progress.
When prayer is priority over progress the pressure of progress is controlled. In prayer we see the difference between our good intention and God’s approval. The desire to know God is intensified compared to just being busy doing Christian activities. In prayer pressure is off because we have the focus over the one thing that God wants us to do. In prayer we learn to rest and not join the rat race for further success. In prayer the Lord develops within us the spiritual sensitivity to detect when something is wrong even when the outside signs say nothing is wrong.
Progress becomes an unbelievable and unending pressure because prayer takes the back seat. Less prayer leads to prayerlessness. Here the work that God has started is now perfected by human effort. No wonder why Paul used the word “foolish” to rebuke the Galatians of their human effort in doing the work of God. The progress we see the more prayers we say. How impossible to handle the blessings of abundance when we are not intoned with the Giver of these gifts. Warnings have been issued all through out the bible from the books of Deuteronomy to the Epistles we have been warned not to fall to the trap of progress. As the Lord allows His favor to flow let us be on our knees to pray! If problems brought us to prayer the more we should be on our knees when things are progressing for it is here that we are most vulnerable to forget God.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Fear And Worship
FEAR AND WORSHIP
BY: Rev. Arnel Tan
“Great fear gripped the entire church and all others who heard what had happened.” Acts 5:11 NLT
There’s a big difference between intimacy and familiarity. Unknowingly we have treated these two things as if they were the same. As the news spread about God’s judgment on Ananias and Saphira fear gripped the entire church. It is when the fear of the Lord is restored in the lives of his children and in life of the church that worship is authentic again. The term “praise and worship” is a familiar among the circles of evangelicals while fear and worship is the foundation of it. As the church enjoyed a remarkable growth and a wonderful prayer life the temptation to be just familiar with God instead of being close to Him is the nearest trap.
If worship is an expression of our deep and holy admiration of God, the love of money is the enemy of true worship. It is here under the cloak of good intention that Anaias and Saphira fell flat and died! When fear of God and trembling is no longer a part of our communion with God we are settling for something less in fact something bogus. Holy fear is a result of being reminded that God has not abandoned His being Holy to give way to grace. God’s grace is a vehicle in which we enjoy and tremble at the holiness of God. When was the last time you and I felt that holy fear in our hearts and in the context of our congregational life?
Usually the fear of the Lord is a result of God’s intervention in the midst of the assumption of the majority that all is well. Surely it will be a shock when God steps in and expose our shallowness and pretensions. Here the church learns to tremble again and listens to the Lord again. Brokenness once more leads to spiritual sensitivity and a fresh opportunity to corporately cultivate a heart that discerns the will of God from willfulness of man. It took death and destruction of the pretenders for the church to be awakened. It is also hear that we see fear leads to worship, considering that occurrences like this is in a minimal rather than a weekly norm!
Indeed it is by the mercy of the Lord that we are not consumed. It is also an act of grace that the Lord allows restoration of trembling in the assembly that we can see God as Holy! Sermons, songs and other methods are used by God to edify His people but nothing is so successful in leading us to tremble than God’s judgment. Here we see God interested with personal purity and also with congregational purity. When there is no holy fear of God most likely there is no authentic worship of God
BY: Rev. Arnel Tan
“Great fear gripped the entire church and all others who heard what had happened.” Acts 5:11 NLT
There’s a big difference between intimacy and familiarity. Unknowingly we have treated these two things as if they were the same. As the news spread about God’s judgment on Ananias and Saphira fear gripped the entire church. It is when the fear of the Lord is restored in the lives of his children and in life of the church that worship is authentic again. The term “praise and worship” is a familiar among the circles of evangelicals while fear and worship is the foundation of it. As the church enjoyed a remarkable growth and a wonderful prayer life the temptation to be just familiar with God instead of being close to Him is the nearest trap.
If worship is an expression of our deep and holy admiration of God, the love of money is the enemy of true worship. It is here under the cloak of good intention that Anaias and Saphira fell flat and died! When fear of God and trembling is no longer a part of our communion with God we are settling for something less in fact something bogus. Holy fear is a result of being reminded that God has not abandoned His being Holy to give way to grace. God’s grace is a vehicle in which we enjoy and tremble at the holiness of God. When was the last time you and I felt that holy fear in our hearts and in the context of our congregational life?
Usually the fear of the Lord is a result of God’s intervention in the midst of the assumption of the majority that all is well. Surely it will be a shock when God steps in and expose our shallowness and pretensions. Here the church learns to tremble again and listens to the Lord again. Brokenness once more leads to spiritual sensitivity and a fresh opportunity to corporately cultivate a heart that discerns the will of God from willfulness of man. It took death and destruction of the pretenders for the church to be awakened. It is also hear that we see fear leads to worship, considering that occurrences like this is in a minimal rather than a weekly norm!
Indeed it is by the mercy of the Lord that we are not consumed. It is also an act of grace that the Lord allows restoration of trembling in the assembly that we can see God as Holy! Sermons, songs and other methods are used by God to edify His people but nothing is so successful in leading us to tremble than God’s judgment. Here we see God interested with personal purity and also with congregational purity. When there is no holy fear of God most likely there is no authentic worship of God
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