Makes me think: we’re a blessed generation. We have hundreds of Bible versions with millions of copies in the market. And, through LifeChurch.tv (were LifeChurch Makati is networked), considered as the most innovative church in the US — and in my opinion the most generous — they have made The Bible even more accessible — for free! — through YouVersion.com. Now you can read the Bible through the internet or through your phones.

Very accessible more than ever. But where is our Bibles today? In the altars? In your bags — to protect you from “harms and dangers?”

You will never experience the power of the Book if you’re not going to be passionate about reading it and putting it in your hearts. It has changed my life, it has inspired me to walk with God and it has guided me through difficult situations in life. My experience is identical with millions who decided to make the Bible part of their lives.

And you can experience this, too. Grab your Bible and start reading it. If you don’t have one, go ahead and go to YouVersion.com, choose a version you’re most comfortable with and start reading online.

Don’t wait for the time when the Bible is nowhere to be found.

Answer: The debate about whether or not Christians should celebrate Christmas has been raging for centuries. There are equally sincere and committed Christians on both sides of the issue, each with multiple reasons why or why not Christmas should be celebrated in Christian homes. But what does the Bible say? Does the Bible give clear direction as to whether Christmas is a holiday to be celebrated by Christians?

First, let’s look at the reasons why Christians do not celebrate Christmas. One argument against Christmas is that the traditions surrounding the holiday have origins in paganism. Searching for reliable information on this topic is difficult because the origins of many of our traditions are so obscure that sources often contradict one another. Bells, candles, holly, and yuletide decorations are mentioned in the history of pagan worship, but the use of such in one’s home certainly does not indicate a return to paganism. While there are definitely pagan roots to some traditions, there are many more traditions associated with the true meaning of Christmas—the birth of the Savior of the world in Bethlehem. Bells are played to ring out the joyous news, candles are lit to remind us that Christ is the Light of the world (John 1:4-9), a star is placed on the top of a Christmas tree to remember the Star of Bethlehem, and gifts are exchanged to remind us of the gifts of the Magi to the baby Jesus, the greatest gift of God to mankind.

Another argument against Christmas, especially having a Christmas tree, is that the Bible forbids bringing trees into our homes and decorating them. The passage often cited is Jeremiah 10:1-16, but this passage refers to cutting down trees, chiseling the wood to make an idol, and then decorating the idol with silver and gold for the purpose of bowing down before it to worship it (see also Isaiah 44:9-18). The passage in Jeremiah cannot be taken out of its context and used to make a legitimate argument against Christmas trees.

Christians who choose to ignore Christmas point to the fact that the Bible doesn’t give us the date of Christ’s birth, which is certainly true. December 25 may not be even close to the time Jesus was born and arguments on both sides are legion, some relating to climate in Palestine, the practices of shepherds in winter, and the dates of Roman census-taking. None of these points is without a certain amount of conjecture, which brings us back to the fact that the Bible doesn’t tell us when Jesus was born. Some see this as proof positive that God didn’t want us to celebrate the birth, while others see the Bible’s silence on the issue as tacit approval.

Some Christians say that since the world celebrates Christmas—although it is becoming more and more politically correct to refer to it as ‘the holidays’—Christians should avoid it. But that is the same argument made by false religions that deny Christ altogether, as well as cults such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses who deny His deity. Those Christians who do celebrate Christmas often see the occasion as an opportunity to proclaim Him as ‘the reason for the season’ among the nations and to those trapped in false religions.

As we have seen, there is no legitimate scriptural reason not to celebrate Christmas. At the same time, there is no biblical mandate to celebrate either. In the end, of course, whether or not to celebrate Christmas is a personal decision. Whatever Christians decide to do regarding Christmas, their views should not be used as a club with which to beat down or denigrate those with opposing views, nor should either view be used as a badge of honor inducing pride over celebrating or not celebrating. As in all things, we seek wisdom from Him who gives it liberally to all who ask (James 1:5), and accept one another in Christian love and grace, regardless of our views on Christmas.

Lifted from GotQuestions.org. Thanks to abugian, ministry leader of The Bereans Apologetics and Research Ministry for forwarding this very relevant article.

Ten years fast forward, I moved on and outgrown that issue. And, instead of joining holy huddles, debating about all these non-essential topics and becoming spiritual obese, I decided I need to flex my spiritual muscles and honor and give glory to Jesus by following his important instruction before he left – to make disciples.

These days, however, I’m attracted again to talk about that theological issue, this time with the other end of the pendulum – the Sunday Sabbatarians. Sunday sabbatarianism, for those who might ask, is a belief that Sabbath observance was transferred from Saturday to Sunday. I don’t really want to dive into it as my energy’s best placed in other things. But since this topic is dear to my heart, let me deal with it anyway.

I know the arguments used by Sunday sabbatarians, but I’ve not talked with anyone before – until now. One thing I realized, refuting Sunday sabbatarianism is far EASIER than refuting Saturday sabbatarianism. Here’s why:

1. The Bible NEVER said that the Sabbath was transferred from Saturday to any day, much more to Sunday. Never. How easy can that be?

2. Now, for a Sunday sabbatarian to justify his belief, he has to use two twisted approach:

a) Make a lot of assumptions. For instance, they would assume that “sabbatismos”, a unique kind of sabbath mentioned in Hebrews 4 is a DAY. Nowhere do we see that though. Not in the context around the verses nor the context of Hebrews as a book. Hebrews talks about how everything in the Old Covenant was fulfilled and pointed to Jesus.

b) They will appeal to tradition. They would argue that since the early church worshiped on Sundays, therefore, it must be the new Sabbath. Wrong. First of all, the early church did not claim that Sunday is the new sabbath ACCORDING to the Bible. Some church fathers claim that Sunday is the “sabbath” for Christians just so to differentiate it from the Jewish sabbath. But this claim is not based on clear instructions from the Bible. Secondly, I respect Christian traditions, but I don’t use it to go above what the Bible did or did not say. Otherwise, I’ll just be a Roman Catholic and make traditions part of my irrefutable belief system.

Old Covenant sabbath?

Together with Adventists, a Sunday sabbatarian actually agrees that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Old Covenant practices. What they missed though is the opportunity to be true to that statement. What a Sunday sabbatarian will do is insist on adopting an old covenant practice of observing a sabbath DAY but then also insist that it has been changed to Sunday to be “new covenant-friendly”. In this regard, the Seventh-day Adventist is even more consistent than a Sunday sabbatarian. At least, the Seventh-day Adventist holds on to true Biblical sabbath and tries to explain that it remains as the Christian sabbath. The Sunday sabbatarian, however, not only adopted an old covenant practice, it even tries to add something to the Bible!

The verdict

For Christians, is Saturday the sabbath day? No. The Jewish sabbath at its very essence is the very center of Jewish laws, identifying the Jews as a people. It has its very special purpose. (see. Exo. 20 and Deut. 5). The old covenant, to which the ten commandments are part of, fulfilled it’s requirement in Jesus.

Is the sabbath then transferred to Sunday for Christians to observe? No. Nowhere in the Bible do we see such important doctrine. You will have to twist the scriptures and hide under intellectual arrogance to prove that such a doctrine exist.

What, or who, then is the Sabbath? Jesus. He is our rest (Matt. 11:28). He is the way, the truth and the life. He is the fulfillment of the law. He is to be worshiped everyday through our life (Rom. 12). He is “sabbatismos”, the new sabbath mentioned in Hebrews 4. Jesus is our Sabbath, everyday.

The question for both camps is not actually what day is the Sabbath day for Christians. The real question is what has changed from the Old Covenant to the New that makes the sabbath in its real essence and intent become more than just a day.

Physical rest and weekly meetings

I still believe that the principle of a sabbath day of rest is a good practice. In fact, Saturday is STILL my physical sabbath rest. On that day of the week, I got to sleep in until 10 am and be with the family for the whole day. Sunday is NOT my physical sabbath day as this is one of the busiest day of my week. And honestly, Sundays are not the days where I feel closest to God. Yes, I got to serve him and corporately worship Him on Sundays, but I’m more technical on Sundays than any other days. However, everyday, that 30 minutes in a day when I’m quiet in the presence of God, is my heaven on earth. Those moments when I got to be quiet and listen to him, worship him with his words and sometimes with a song or two. Those time of the day when I got to exercise my trust and dependence on him. When I got to worship him through the way I let him live in me and I living out his life.

While I hold that sabbath is everyday, Christians should choose a day, most of which chose Sunday, Christians in the middle east choose Friday, to be their corporate time to meet together and worship God as this is what the Bible instructed us to do.

When I met Jesus — for who he really is — 10 years ago, one of my battle cry was “Jesus is enough”. He is enough to give comfort, joy, eternal security. He is enough when we feel inadequate. He is enough when life seems to fall apart. He is enough even if you’ll loose everything.

Matt Chandler is a very popular pastor in the US. He leads a successful church, The Village Church, that ministers to thousands of people. He is a well-known speaker in conferences. And, with his words, it seems that at 35 years old, God has given him victory after victory in this life.

Not until the morning of Thanksgiving day. He had a seizure and was rushed to the hospital. They found a tumor in his frontal lobe and has undergone surgery last Friday. He recorded this video before this operation.

If you’re about to loose everything, is Jesus enough? Watch this video and be encouraged — or even be led into repentance for trusting on what you have even knowing that Jesus should be enough in our lives.

This week, we’re talking about Hell. As my wife said, it’s a good topic, no body wants to talk about it, so let’s bring it on. While preparing for my grace group tonight, these thoughts run through my mind.

- We’re all going to die. Oh, yeah, we are. Whatever life altering procedure you do, we’re all going to die.

- There are 2 major views of death. I came from a tradition that says when you die, you sleep (a.k.a the doctrine of “soul sleep”). I changed camp. Most evangelicals believe that when you die, you continue to exist and will either directly go to heaven or hell (a.k.a. the doctrine of “Immortality of the Soul”). I will have a few Adventists on my grace groups, and if this question will be raised, I’m just going to say, “You continue to believe what you know is true, I believe mine, and it’s alright. Because whether the soul sleeps or is awake when you die is not the real issue. The real issue is, what are you doing now that you’re alive so that you’ll know exactly where you’re going in the after life?

- Heaven is real.

- Hell is real. But we don’t want to talk about it. Because we want to live as if it doesn’t exist.

- You won’t see your buddies in hell. You won’t drink beers with them, won’t laugh with them, won’t party with them. In hell, you’re going to be all alone. All by yourself. Nobody to talk to. In utter darkness.

- God doesn’t want us to go to hell. In the first place, hell is created for Satan. But because of our sinfulness and God’s holiness, we’re going there. And if we do, that doesn’t mean God didn’t do anything to save you. He did EVERYTHING you can imagine when he sent Jesus on earth and die a criminal’s death. You just don’t want to do anything with Jesus today. You simply want to do what you want to do with your life. And God will let you. Go. To. Hell.

This is exactly what I want to tell some “Christians”, self-proclaimed theologians, self-proclaimed spiritual police who lives out of bashing other Christians that doesn’t believe the way they do.

Today was hell in Metro Manila. Flash floods raged. People are trapped on their roofs. Some pregnant women even gave birth while waiting to be rescued — while in their roof! Then a wise “theologian” posted this on his Facebook account:

Funny how people only come to God in times of disasters, and yet they don’t see anything wrong with that. Doesn’t matter anyway ‘coz we all gonna go to Heaven right? Nothing is farther from the truth.

Huh!?

People are suffering and all you can think of is your correctness? This angers me. I mean, really angered me. We’re Christians claiming to believe in Jesus and all we can think of is how correct we are? Did we even try to pray for those who are trapped on their roofs and calling to God for the first time in their lives? Did you do anything else? Like help those in need in your area? Or donate to Red Cross? Or Tweet about those who needs help?

It confirms what others have been telling — that Christians are good in talking and not doing. Where is compassion among God’s people? I thought we’re God’s hands and feet? Or do you want to define what “compassion” in Greek first?

Will people be thinking about Calvinism or even eternity in times like these?

Upon my dialogue with this guy, he said that being concern of their eternity is much important than the temporal. Well, duh! Tell that to the hungry people in Africa. Tell that to the people who are still in danger, on their roof top in Marikina. And tell that to Jesus, when he said:

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’… “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.‘” Matt. 26:35-40

Just so that everyone knows, this guy does represent some bunch of “intellectuals” inside the church. Their job is to hunt heresies. But most of what they do is just behind their computer screens. They don’t actually do the hard work of reaching to people — giving them hope, providing for their felt needs and loving them physically not just virtually. BUT, they don’t represent the Church that Jesus Christ built. The Church that he built is relevant. It cares. NOT JUST for the people’s eternity, but also for the here and now. Jesus cared, and so we should. I pray that the Church will stay that way.

People who read this: evangelical Christians are not like this guy. We actually care.

If anyone will talk to me that way in person, I’m going to shove your theology books down your throat. That’s unchristian, but I don’t mind doing that.

 Let me elaborate.

The Bible should be read in “batch of texts”, not a stand alone quote then twist its meaning to suit your need. Each verse has what we call “context” and it should be understood based on the given context. So, to understand what we’re going to talk about, please read Matthew 7 before we proceed, it will be wonderful. 

Now, for the context. 

Jesus was preaching the popular “Sermon on the Mount”. And it looks like this particular portion of the sermon is directed towards the Pharisees (Jesus said “You hypocrite!” (v. 7), a language he often used specifically for the Pharisees). These guys are those who “judge” their fellowmen for their own benefit. They place additional rules not necessarily based on the Scriptures and create burdens for those who follow. In other words, they “judge” with no real good intention. 

Is Jesus really saying “Do not judge?” Or is he saying, do not judge because “…the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” (v. 2)

Jesus is saying, if you judge, make sure you use the same standards of judgement, not your opinion, not your extra rules. Because if you are judged, you will also be judged according to the same standards. This is supported by another verse. Jesus said:

“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” (John 7:24)

Here, he is saying, you can judge if your judgment is “righteous”, or godly. A godly judgment uses God’s word as the standard and not the popular cultural worldview:

- if you don’t pay your taxes, the Bible is clear: that’s cheating. No matter what the culture says about the way the taxes are paid and used, you need to pay your taxes.

- if you took stuff that’s not yours, the Bible is clear: that’s stealing. No matter what the circumstances are, your child maybe sick or hungry, but you cannot use that to justify your action if the Bible is our judge.

- if you have relationship with a married person, the Bible is clear: that’s adultery.  No matter what the circumstance is, the Bible says, any relationship outside marriage is adultery. 

- if you hate someone, the Bible is clear: that’s murder. Yes, Jesus said this!

Here’s my point: if a “judgment” is passed for the purpose of correction in love and concern and the basis used is the Bible and not on your personal opinion, feelings or bias, “passing judgment” is exactly what is needed. If the Bible is clear, is it wrong to “judge” sin as sin?

Most of the time, those who misuse this popular phrase uses it to justify their wrongdoing. They hide by pushing back the focus to the one that’s trying to lovingly help them.

The problem isn’t even with the judging. The problem lies on the reaction towards judgment. If the judgment is done in love and is Biblical, there will be two reactions: humble repentance OR arrogant disregard. Most who says “Do not judge…” belongs to the latter.

As I often say, quote Ophra instead, but don’t quote the Bible and misuse it.

I imagine today after Jun and Violet Lozada are arraigned for perjury, Jun will go back to his cell in Manila, while Violet returns to their quarters in La Salle Greenhills where she, Jun and their kids have been living for more than a year under the watchful eye of the nuns and the senate sergeant-at-arms.

I imagine at some point in the day both of them asking themselves as they must have asked themselves countless times over the past year, “Is this all worth it?” I imagine Violet asking herself what an uncertain future willl bring for her and her children.

I also imagine that later today, Mike Defensor and his wife and kids will touch down at the San Francisco International airport, check into their hotel and begin an enjoyable vacation. Also today, Ben Abalos will be holding court at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club, enjoying a Ben’s Burjer while waiting for the rain to let up enough so he can enjoy a round of golf.

Romy Neri will go to work at SSS and have a quiet day, while Mike Arroyo will do whatever it is he wants to do.

At some point in the day I imagine they’d have some quiet time in the lull between activity to contemplate.

I imagine Defensor, Abalos, Neri,and Arroyo stopping momentarily during the day and thinking, “Life is good, isn’t it?”

Yes it is, guys. Aren’t you glad you’re in power?

I’m glad we can only live a maximum 100 years, 60 years on the average. I’m glad what we have now is not permanent. I’m glad that our life here is just a rehearsal of the real life for all eternity. I’m glad that the way we live our life now determines our eternal destination. I’m glad that life maybe unfair in this side of eternity, but God is the ultimate judge that will give justice for all. We do not know when, but heck I’m sure it will come. Aren’t you glad this is just temporary?
That goes the same for everyone: Jun Lozada, Neri, Abalos, Defensor and Arroyo. And for all of us.

I’m amazed with the profoundness of the lyrics. These guys are theologians in their own rights. Read the partial lyrics below, then read Romans 7.

Gusto kong bumait pero hindi ko magawa
Kaya ngayo’y pumapatak ang aking mga luha
Nagsi-sisi
Tahimik ako’y nako-konsyensa
Sa mata ng ama
Ako’y isang itim na tupa
Ang kasalanan
Lagi ko ng iniiwasan
Pero di sya naalis
Ayaw nya kong lubayan
Bakit kaya ako laging sumasabit
Paulit-ulit
Nangu-ngulit
Parating nagiinit

O TUKSO LAYUAN MO AKO KAPAG NANDYAN KA AKO’Y
NAUUTO MO,TINURO MONG LAHAT NG BAWAL AY MASARAP
MALI TO KAYAT AKO NGAYO’Y HIRAP NA HIRAP.

Gusto kong bumaet pero di ko magawa.

Listen via Youtube. Full lyrics here.