STRAIGHT FROM MY HEART

This past week has been “hectic” for me . . . my speaking schedule piled up. It was only by the grace of God that all went well. Normally, when this happens, I am immediately alarmed about getting into an impulsive mode again. Thank God for the ministry of the Holy Spirit that nudges me to slow down and pray. How quickly I forget what I preach. Thank God for His patience towards forgetful ministers like me. I am refreshed by what Henry Nouwen said “Sometimes we need to disengage, not only from our busy world but also from our busy spiritual disciplines, in order to gain fuel for the journey”. God’s grace is so refreshing that it leads us to Christ and not to what we do for Christ!

It is also here that I paused, and once more, enjoyed a deep drink from the well of God’s grace. Our observance of spiritual disciplines such as prayer, bible reading, fasting, solitude, are means and to an end and not the end itself. I remember the words of our Master “…come to me those who are heavily laden and I will give you rest! (Matthew 11:28). Spiritual rest in grace is accomplished when we disengage from a strict observance of “spiritual disciplines” which subtlely turns into a new form of legalism. Such detachment leads us to find strength in Christ alone!

Like Elijah, a lot of us need to do nothing so we can enjoy nourishing sleep and much needed rest. Then we can go back to the journey fueled and strong! We value prayer as Christ in the scripture values it. But when prayer becomes a badge of a superior spiritual life over others, then prayer is not God-honoring anymore. Let us remember that nothing done in force can produce a living, vibrant spiritual life. I really believe some of you really need to pray, while in grace, others should disengage from it if prayer has become our identity rather than Christ! In a nutshell, “God, your grace still amazes me”

Those of you who are led by God to join us in our prayer meetings, come and pray with us. While those of you who need to find God by detaching from legalistic spiritual disciplines, do so without guilt. Rest and be nourished by Christ Himself. No wonder the throne of prayer is called the throne of grace . . . where people can come boldly and find mercy . . . where the same grace is given for those who just want to do nothing at the throne of grace but just to enjoy rest in Christ!

Disengage from anything that substitutes Christ . . . for nothing should and can take His place in our hearts! When prayer begins to be a legalistic requirement, step back so you may rest in grace!

Yours in Christ,


REV. ARNEL C. TAN

What if God is Silent - Part2

Now it would be according to the will of God today, that every one of us should reach some measure of desperation, concerning the huge gap between God and us. How do close that gap? Desperation to God’s attention, desperate for God to work within you, like David's lament to God’s silence. I believe the divine will of God today that every one of us would be desperate to have an encounter with the presence of our Lord. We all know that encounter with God would require brokeness from our very being.

What if God is Silent - Part1

The only problem of knowing the future is that, it makes us think that it’s going to happen tomorrow with no inconveniences in our lives. Everybody wants a prophecy, everybody wants to know what’s ahead whether in our career, in our family, what’s ahead in whatever we are doing. But the problem is, if God shows us His plans in order to get there, if God shows us the process in order to get there, many of us would ask God for an alternative based on our own liking.

Lessons from the Wilderness - Part2

Remember that God is gracious not because we deserve it. In Deuteronomy 9:4-6 4 “After the Lord your God has done this for you, don’t say in your hearts, ‘The Lord has given us this land because we are such good people!’ No, it is because of the wickedness of the other nations that he is pushing them out of your way. 5 It is not because you are so good or have such integrity that you are about to occupy their land. The Lord your God will drive these nations out ahead of you only because of their wickedness, and to fulfill the oath he swore to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 6 You must recognize that the Lord your God is not giving you this good land because you are good, for you are not—you are a stubborn people”. Let it sink, are you blessed? Grace is the name of that blessing. Overwhelming what? Grace and yet our response is complain.

Lessons from the Wilderness - Part1

In order for us to become a people, a person, a church, a family, a couple that pleases God, there’s a requirement, God must put us in a journey, in a big process by which pleasing God will not only by mouth but pleasing God is both confidence that it is possible and at the same time humility to admit that it’s not possible without God’s grace. After we admit that it is not possible then the Lord straightens us.

Straight From My Heart

I regret that I cannot be with you this Lord’s day because of my commitment to preach during the observance of Mission Sunday in which DXFE was invited to present our ministry. I am thankful that Pastor Cezil will take my place. This is also timely so I can take a little rest from my preaching duties (a delight). Let me share some highlights regarding my physical condition. I am thankful to God for He granted favorable results regarding my blood tests. My blood sugar level is ok, thank God!, but my uric level and SGPT is high. My doctor, (Dr. Dey Brato), asked me to do some diet maneuvers to keep things balanced, and I need to take daily maintenance for my blood pressure. I am thankful to the Lord for this grace, and for all of you who prayed and gave encouragement to me. Let us continue to pray for each other.

For those who are interested for water baptism, please approach any of our pastors for information . . . they will gladly assist you. Always remember that being baptized, though not a requirement for salvation, is a serious spiritual decision, therefore, it must be prayed for and not be taken lightly. It is my prayer that the Lord will guide you with His peace as you decide on this matter. If you need any guidance, again, please feel free to approach any of our ministers.

Let me also thank you for your generous hearts for your prayer and support for the flood victims of the two typhoons in Luzon. Let us also thank God for the leadership of Rev. Arsenio Chan Jr. for leading our brethren in Bulacan as they minister to about 30 families. I am confident that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. The Lord seems to lay a special burden in our hearts for the community . . . let us continue to abound in this grace. Lastly, I am praying that all of you will have a chance to be with us in our prayer meetings on Wednesdays and Fridays, 6pm. Join us as we gather together to call on the name of the Lord! Don’t forget last Sundays message regarding the lessons in the wilderness. I am confident that the Lord will remind all of us of B. A. G.

The Lord is near when we call on Him in truth!


Prayerfully,


REV. ARNEL C. TAN

Living Free From People Pleasing - Part2

If you are a man pleaser these are your favorite word is duty. Try giving flower to your wife on your anniversary and say it is your duty believe me things will change. Second, the cousin of duty, obligation, to those of you who are in mission there’s this mission policy, how many commandments are there? Third, indebtedness oh the Orientals are good at this. Fourth is restriction, and fifth is subservience. These are the words that rule your life. A lot of factors that contributes to our men pleasing tendency and sometimes you have to listen to your critics because maybe they are right. The issue is not about doing what is right but doing it for a wrong reason.