By: Rev. Arnel Tan
You wives must submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord. And you husbands must love your wives and never treat them harshly. You children must always obey your parents, for this is what pleases the Lord. Fathers, don’t aggravate your children, if you do they will become discouraged……Col.3:18-21 NLT
While Christ is our real life and the source of our new life, the new life is not designed to be trapped in the personal stage. It is God’s desire and design that the new life be nourished as we expose ourselves to the church and community at large. It is in this context that the content of Paul’s instruction for the home is written. It is in relating with others that the new life finds its meaning and impact. After one’s conversion the individual is now a powerful instrument of God to bring chance and change.
It is in the home where our new life is much needed to take effect. Ideally the home is composed of a father, a mother and children. The ideal composition of the home is not a reason why a home who falls short of one member should be a happy home. Some homes no longer have dads or moms others have not been blessed with children. In grace and through the sovereignty of God homes that seems to be incomplete can still be recipient of joy and lots of laughter. On the other side by being complete in composition does not guarantee to end happy and vibrant.
Here we see the roles of each one to be in clear terms, yet it is not to be treated as rules per se. Rules and roles are offshoot of a deep relationship with Christ. Can a home be normal not dysfunctional without Christ? Honestly, yes it can still be a happy home but it’s a product of noble reasons not Christ. Living the new life in the home transcends ethics or culture, the new life lived in the home is about the life of Christ enabling a husband to love the wife and wife to respect the husband and kids to obey.
Who does not want a cool home? The difference here is that to have a happy home is not our main goal. While God desires for all of us to have a happy home the main goal remains to KNOW AND PLEASE CHRIST. The harsh reality of divorce and disfunctional home finds a fresh Chance and true Change in Christ. As members of the family become pleasers Christ they do the role not as a rule but outflow of Christ empowerment and unending yielding to Christ. The next time you think of a home think about Christ granting chance and change in His terms.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Modeling A Christlike Attitude
By: Rev. Arnel C. Tan
“Your attitude should be the same that Christ had.”
Phil. 2:5 NLT
It’s all in the attitude displayed more than the skills acquired. It’s the attitude oiled in grace that stands out in the midst of this performance driven existence society. It’s the one who has a secured identity in Christ that is supernaturally able to be humble amidst praise and supernaturally resilient in times of difficulties. It’s not just an attitude that we acquire culturally it’s the attitude that is in Jesus!
If Jesus is our life then we spontaneously though sometimes painfully grow into becoming a living model of Christ like attitude. Paul reminded us of the humility of Jesus. He is never a doormat or a weakling he is humble. Christ is not insecure He modeled confidence in God. He is not vindictive he is just! Most of all the perfect model of grace and truth! Lest we forget He is Lord!
In this dog eat dog and rat eat rat world we who follow the Master must somehow reflect the Master’s influence in our live. I’m not talking of being Christ like on camera or on the air waves, no it’s having the attitude of Christ in the most unnoticed detail of life. Bringing it into the routine of living like washing pots, steaming its powerful influence into the core of fallen humanity. In a nutshell to be Christ like and to model it is to be unselfish.
How to do this is solely dependent on the grace of God. Others have tried to be Christ like in the efforts of the flesh, and as a result they got more pressures instead of peace. Self effort attempts produce results that may be noble to the human eye yet this has not deceived God. Surely it will not produce inner fulfillment or peace. It builds on to the pressure that is already there. The self effort results to self confidence and then the inevitable virus of self righteousness shows it’s ugly head. Traveling this road ends into the pit of self destruction.
Modeling Christ likeness starts with brokenness and then breakthrough. We live lives of grace as a consequence of the daily influence of Christ in us. Here we learn not to be demanding and also not to be demeaning. Remember what Paul said let this ATTITUDE be in you as it is in Christ! May God etched in our hearts ATTITUDE! Not high sounding words, deep thoughts, smart ideas or academic excellence. It’s really in those unguarded and unspoken moments that we clearly see what our attitudes look like.
“Your attitude should be the same that Christ had.”
Phil. 2:5 NLT
It’s all in the attitude displayed more than the skills acquired. It’s the attitude oiled in grace that stands out in the midst of this performance driven existence society. It’s the one who has a secured identity in Christ that is supernaturally able to be humble amidst praise and supernaturally resilient in times of difficulties. It’s not just an attitude that we acquire culturally it’s the attitude that is in Jesus!
If Jesus is our life then we spontaneously though sometimes painfully grow into becoming a living model of Christ like attitude. Paul reminded us of the humility of Jesus. He is never a doormat or a weakling he is humble. Christ is not insecure He modeled confidence in God. He is not vindictive he is just! Most of all the perfect model of grace and truth! Lest we forget He is Lord!
In this dog eat dog and rat eat rat world we who follow the Master must somehow reflect the Master’s influence in our live. I’m not talking of being Christ like on camera or on the air waves, no it’s having the attitude of Christ in the most unnoticed detail of life. Bringing it into the routine of living like washing pots, steaming its powerful influence into the core of fallen humanity. In a nutshell to be Christ like and to model it is to be unselfish.
How to do this is solely dependent on the grace of God. Others have tried to be Christ like in the efforts of the flesh, and as a result they got more pressures instead of peace. Self effort attempts produce results that may be noble to the human eye yet this has not deceived God. Surely it will not produce inner fulfillment or peace. It builds on to the pressure that is already there. The self effort results to self confidence and then the inevitable virus of self righteousness shows it’s ugly head. Traveling this road ends into the pit of self destruction.
Modeling Christ likeness starts with brokenness and then breakthrough. We live lives of grace as a consequence of the daily influence of Christ in us. Here we learn not to be demanding and also not to be demeaning. Remember what Paul said let this ATTITUDE be in you as it is in Christ! May God etched in our hearts ATTITUDE! Not high sounding words, deep thoughts, smart ideas or academic excellence. It’s really in those unguarded and unspoken moments that we clearly see what our attitudes look like.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Christ Is Your Real Life!
Rev. Arnel C. Tan
“And when Christ , who is your real life is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.” Colossians 3:4 NLT
Christ is your real life sounds a simple statement, look at it again and you will see a spiritual breakthrough. Christ granting new life is wonderful better yet Christ Himself is life! Isn’t that what John says about Christ being the way, the truth and the LIFE? In Him all your existence and mine finds color and meaning. The triumph and tragedies in this life and the glory beyond this life all depends in Christ. Without Christ nothing can stand a moment.
This new life and Christ being the real life is not automatically experience by any person born in earth. There’s got to be a turning point, a defining moment in life that God delivers a spiritual awakening in the depraved heart of man. And from there a spiritual choice is made responding to Christ by faith, bowing to His Lordship. Only then the new life is activated and Christ is personally experience as the source and the sustaining person of life. The other challenge is to make this simple truth “Christ Is your life” sink in to the hearts of those who already have this life.
Knowing Christ and entering into a spiritual relationship with Christ by faith has often been locked into the idea of going to heaven, being saved from the wrath of God. While this is true this is not complete. One can be on his way to glory without enjoying and being empowered by the life of Christ now. It is here that a believer learns to discover that there is more to just being saved from hell. It is here that Christ takes the preeminent role and rule in life. From the daily routine into the refreshing surprises of the day and onto the painful corners of life, Christ is the reason of everything.
The hunger to know Christ and the desire to do things in His strength and for His glory is no longer nebulous. It now clear that Christ is my all in all. He is not only first Christ is the center of life. Yes how wonderful to have a happy marriage and godly children, added to that good health and enough material wealth to enjoy life, and to have a good church and long list of good friends, what more can one ask for? Yet something is different when we view things in the lens of Christ our real life. Everything is simplified to having Christ is enough the rest are bonuses. Take away Christ those long lists of blessings looses its very purpose and essence. In the real sense of it Christ is enough!
“And when Christ , who is your real life is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.” Colossians 3:4 NLT
Christ is your real life sounds a simple statement, look at it again and you will see a spiritual breakthrough. Christ granting new life is wonderful better yet Christ Himself is life! Isn’t that what John says about Christ being the way, the truth and the LIFE? In Him all your existence and mine finds color and meaning. The triumph and tragedies in this life and the glory beyond this life all depends in Christ. Without Christ nothing can stand a moment.
This new life and Christ being the real life is not automatically experience by any person born in earth. There’s got to be a turning point, a defining moment in life that God delivers a spiritual awakening in the depraved heart of man. And from there a spiritual choice is made responding to Christ by faith, bowing to His Lordship. Only then the new life is activated and Christ is personally experience as the source and the sustaining person of life. The other challenge is to make this simple truth “Christ Is your life” sink in to the hearts of those who already have this life.
Knowing Christ and entering into a spiritual relationship with Christ by faith has often been locked into the idea of going to heaven, being saved from the wrath of God. While this is true this is not complete. One can be on his way to glory without enjoying and being empowered by the life of Christ now. It is here that a believer learns to discover that there is more to just being saved from hell. It is here that Christ takes the preeminent role and rule in life. From the daily routine into the refreshing surprises of the day and onto the painful corners of life, Christ is the reason of everything.
The hunger to know Christ and the desire to do things in His strength and for His glory is no longer nebulous. It now clear that Christ is my all in all. He is not only first Christ is the center of life. Yes how wonderful to have a happy marriage and godly children, added to that good health and enough material wealth to enjoy life, and to have a good church and long list of good friends, what more can one ask for? Yet something is different when we view things in the lens of Christ our real life. Everything is simplified to having Christ is enough the rest are bonuses. Take away Christ those long lists of blessings looses its very purpose and essence. In the real sense of it Christ is enough!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
A Prayer for Justice
By: Rev. Arnel C. Tan
“How long, O LORD? How long will the wicked be allowed to gloat? Psalm 94:3 NLT
Either as a victim or observer and who knows a perpetrator, injustice is a perpetual sight in this fallen world. As an observer pray that senses are not overwhelmed by numbness, as a victim pray that we can boldly express our cry to the Just One and as a potential source of injustice tremble when we trust our strength to maintain integrity. How scary not even to think that those who cry for justice today may be the tyrant of tomorrow? Prayer for justice is not only a plea for the victim but a reminder for the observer that without God’s grace we can take the role of the aggressors.
Praying for justice is releasing all our bitterness and frustrations to the throne of grace. Honestly when we choose to clam up even in our private prayers we are adding to the venom of hate that is already consuming us inside. Expressing, pouring it all our anger and bitterness to the Lord is an integral part of this prayer. Here we detoxify ourselves from the hate that we cannot handle. We release it to the Judge who is wise and who has the strong character and thickest skin of all that can absorb all these acids in us. Here we are allowed to question and vent our frustrations towards the denial or delay.
The book of Psalm actually models how God in grace allows His children to really cry to Him minus the polite protocol. As a victim cry to God all your pain, as an observer cry with those who are in pain, and as a potential aggressor cry to God for grace that He may spare us from situations and tendencies to inflict injustice to others. Prayer is a plea for help for the helpless. Frankly praying for justice includes that we may ask God to make us instrument of justice rather than abuse. As we cry or sympathized with those who are crying for justice, we include that God will grant us discernment and grace that we might not be an instrument wherein justice is denied or delayed.
Whether a victim or an observer let us remember what we are made of, we are made of clay that can easily be hardened by greed or that can easily melt in grace. As we draw close the Lord who is the just One we reflect His passion for justice and develop a deep hunger to be instrument of fairness. The prayer of the psalmist is a timely reminder of the many cycles and possibilities of life. Actually the gist of the prayer is that God will not give us in to govern by ourselves. Here God is acknowledged as the Just One His verdict are perfect and our tendency to be judge ourselves is arrested before vengeance control our reason and action. Lord have mercy. Amen.
“How long, O LORD? How long will the wicked be allowed to gloat? Psalm 94:3 NLT
Either as a victim or observer and who knows a perpetrator, injustice is a perpetual sight in this fallen world. As an observer pray that senses are not overwhelmed by numbness, as a victim pray that we can boldly express our cry to the Just One and as a potential source of injustice tremble when we trust our strength to maintain integrity. How scary not even to think that those who cry for justice today may be the tyrant of tomorrow? Prayer for justice is not only a plea for the victim but a reminder for the observer that without God’s grace we can take the role of the aggressors.
Praying for justice is releasing all our bitterness and frustrations to the throne of grace. Honestly when we choose to clam up even in our private prayers we are adding to the venom of hate that is already consuming us inside. Expressing, pouring it all our anger and bitterness to the Lord is an integral part of this prayer. Here we detoxify ourselves from the hate that we cannot handle. We release it to the Judge who is wise and who has the strong character and thickest skin of all that can absorb all these acids in us. Here we are allowed to question and vent our frustrations towards the denial or delay.
The book of Psalm actually models how God in grace allows His children to really cry to Him minus the polite protocol. As a victim cry to God all your pain, as an observer cry with those who are in pain, and as a potential aggressor cry to God for grace that He may spare us from situations and tendencies to inflict injustice to others. Prayer is a plea for help for the helpless. Frankly praying for justice includes that we may ask God to make us instrument of justice rather than abuse. As we cry or sympathized with those who are crying for justice, we include that God will grant us discernment and grace that we might not be an instrument wherein justice is denied or delayed.
Whether a victim or an observer let us remember what we are made of, we are made of clay that can easily be hardened by greed or that can easily melt in grace. As we draw close the Lord who is the just One we reflect His passion for justice and develop a deep hunger to be instrument of fairness. The prayer of the psalmist is a timely reminder of the many cycles and possibilities of life. Actually the gist of the prayer is that God will not give us in to govern by ourselves. Here God is acknowledged as the Just One His verdict are perfect and our tendency to be judge ourselves is arrested before vengeance control our reason and action. Lord have mercy. Amen.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Straight From My Heart
By: Rev. Arnel Tan
Let me express my sincere gratitude for all of you who have faithfully responded to God’s invitation to pray for me and my family. It is the united prayer of the brethren that makes ministry lighter and much more bearable. Your prayers and your generosity have truly refreshed us. Today my wife Sheryl and I are spending our 18th anniversary in the beautiful island of Bohol. Our trip to this place also opens the opportunity to bring the gospel to the First Southern Baptist Church here in Tagbilaran. It is also in the occasion of their church anniversary that I am given the privilege to preach.
While there is an opportunity to minister it is also a timely favor from the Lord that my wife and I enjoy some rest from our ministerial routine. Please remember us in prayer especially in the area of letting our minds be free from worry about the church, the kids and the radio ministry (DXFE). Pray too that God will use this time that we might nourish friendship in our marriage. I must admit that in many ways I have not given the attention that my wife deserves these past years. 18 years went by so fast! We were in our early 20’s when we made a vow to be together as husband and wife. Believe no marriage is spared from the harsh reality of adversities and unending adjustments. May the Lord continue to fill our marriage with His abundant supply of grace.
A pastor that is cared for is a pastor that is prayed for. Embarrassingly I admit though you heard me preach and emphasized the importance of prayer; it is also in this area of prayer that the Lord needs to remind me time and time again. I will be praying for you too as you worship the Lord today. That you may grow deep in Christ and in His grace as you hear God’s word today through Pastor Bobby and Pastor Cezil. Thanks to our deacons who led our prayer meetings. God is truly honored where we find ourselves empty before Him. Before I forget please pray that my boat ride will be smooth and uneventful. Hope to see you all next week in prayer meeting and worship service next Lord’s day.
Let me express my sincere gratitude for all of you who have faithfully responded to God’s invitation to pray for me and my family. It is the united prayer of the brethren that makes ministry lighter and much more bearable. Your prayers and your generosity have truly refreshed us. Today my wife Sheryl and I are spending our 18th anniversary in the beautiful island of Bohol. Our trip to this place also opens the opportunity to bring the gospel to the First Southern Baptist Church here in Tagbilaran. It is also in the occasion of their church anniversary that I am given the privilege to preach.
While there is an opportunity to minister it is also a timely favor from the Lord that my wife and I enjoy some rest from our ministerial routine. Please remember us in prayer especially in the area of letting our minds be free from worry about the church, the kids and the radio ministry (DXFE). Pray too that God will use this time that we might nourish friendship in our marriage. I must admit that in many ways I have not given the attention that my wife deserves these past years. 18 years went by so fast! We were in our early 20’s when we made a vow to be together as husband and wife. Believe no marriage is spared from the harsh reality of adversities and unending adjustments. May the Lord continue to fill our marriage with His abundant supply of grace.
A pastor that is cared for is a pastor that is prayed for. Embarrassingly I admit though you heard me preach and emphasized the importance of prayer; it is also in this area of prayer that the Lord needs to remind me time and time again. I will be praying for you too as you worship the Lord today. That you may grow deep in Christ and in His grace as you hear God’s word today through Pastor Bobby and Pastor Cezil. Thanks to our deacons who led our prayer meetings. God is truly honored where we find ourselves empty before Him. Before I forget please pray that my boat ride will be smooth and uneventful. Hope to see you all next week in prayer meeting and worship service next Lord’s day.
Friday, August 20, 2010
THE BLESSING OF EMPTINESS
By: Rev. Arnel C. Tan
"Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me." Mark 10:21b
Definitely Jesus is not against owning things or having money. Helping the poor requires money too. The issue here is not about possessions of things, it's about being possessed by things or in this case money. Materially abundant while spiritually dead, that's the true condition of this rich young ruler. Actually the honest description of this man should be a rich young greedy ruler. What complicates the matter is not that Jesus is in a dilemma but it is this young man who doesn't even know then later won't repent that he is in a critical crisis spiritually.
The obstacle that blocks his following Christ is the deep grip of greed in his heart. On the outward it is surprising that he could not even come close to be a suspect of being greedy, but the Lord sees the heart. It is here the Lord brings a timely insight of the blessing of being empty so He can fill. In emptiness though one may have much but his heart is not in love affair with riches, emptiness is obvious when one values God and his grace more than any human effort. Spiritual emptiness leads to a deep hunger for God and an authentic admission of one's need of grace and spontaneously the display of grace abounding becomes an irresistible attraction to this graceless world.
Radically Jesus wants this young man to get rid of the greed now! Cut off your ties with these glittering snares that have denied you the blessing of being empty. The result of the spiritual lab test is positive, positively greedy. What's the next step? Jesus wants him to admit and repent to bring the spiritual lab test to the Great Physician who man make the greedy generous! No one can do this except Christ, not the good labor man, projects for humanity and the list goes on. Certainly not the law who according to this young man he has observed since a child, it is Christ and Christ alone who delivers from greed!
There is just one thing that this young man need to see and that is his emptiness inside while having all these material accessories outside. When the Lord transform any one of us He shows us our emptiness, this emptiness is slowly transformed to a realization of our desperate need of God not just of His gifts but God Himself. In this in acknowledging emptiness that God cause humility and grace to abound in the life of the greedy, making him a mysterious testimony of grace. The blessing of being empty is that it leads those who see their emptiness to lift up their cups to Him who can pour grace and create a deep spiritual appetite for God.
By: Rev. Arnel C. Tan
"Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me." Mark 10:21b
Definitely Jesus is not against owning things or having money. Helping the poor requires money too. The issue here is not about possessions of things, it's about being possessed by things or in this case money. Materially abundant while spiritually dead, that's the true condition of this rich young ruler. Actually the honest description of this man should be a rich young greedy ruler. What complicates the matter is not that Jesus is in a dilemma but it is this young man who doesn't even know then later won't repent that he is in a critical crisis spiritually.
The obstacle that blocks his following Christ is the deep grip of greed in his heart. On the outward it is surprising that he could not even come close to be a suspect of being greedy, but the Lord sees the heart. It is here the Lord brings a timely insight of the blessing of being empty so He can fill. In emptiness though one may have much but his heart is not in love affair with riches, emptiness is obvious when one values God and his grace more than any human effort. Spiritual emptiness leads to a deep hunger for God and an authentic admission of one's need of grace and spontaneously the display of grace abounding becomes an irresistible attraction to this graceless world.
Radically Jesus wants this young man to get rid of the greed now! Cut off your ties with these glittering snares that have denied you the blessing of being empty. The result of the spiritual lab test is positive, positively greedy. What's the next step? Jesus wants him to admit and repent to bring the spiritual lab test to the Great Physician who man make the greedy generous! No one can do this except Christ, not the good labor man, projects for humanity and the list goes on. Certainly not the law who according to this young man he has observed since a child, it is Christ and Christ alone who delivers from greed!
There is just one thing that this young man need to see and that is his emptiness inside while having all these material accessories outside. When the Lord transform any one of us He shows us our emptiness, this emptiness is slowly transformed to a realization of our desperate need of God not just of His gifts but God Himself. In this in acknowledging emptiness that God cause humility and grace to abound in the life of the greedy, making him a mysterious testimony of grace. The blessing of being empty is that it leads those who see their emptiness to lift up their cups to Him who can pour grace and create a deep spiritual appetite for God.
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