Preached on January 02, 2022 - Evening Service
By Pastor Godwyn Aguinaldo Main Text: Philippians 3:12-15 KJV [12] Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. [13] Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, [14] I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. [15] Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Starting the year with the right mindset is important because it sets the tone for the whole year. Carrying what we have learned from the year that has passed, we will be able to go through the challenges that we might face with greater hope, a stronger faith, and a better attitude. With the word of God as our light and guide, here are the things that we must follow and do in order to develop the right perspective for a brighter year ahead: 1. Continue to gain knowledge [12] Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. As servants of the Lord, we must always desire to know more about God. Our relationship with God does not end with our salvation—in fact, our salvation should be the beginning of a more profound connection with God. Just like how we build a connection with our brethren by getting to know them more, our relationship with God grows by reading the bible. If we want our worship to grow deeper this year, we must have a higher knowledge about God. Our attitude towards our service should always be in an upward slope. We must never be contented with what we already know and what we've already done for the Lord. We must always opt for improvement and if we want to please God much more than how we did in the past. 2. Look back and forget the things behind God will always give us reasons to look back. In life, there are things that we should go through, no matter how hard or challenging they may be, because only then can we realize how precious God is in our lives. These divine detours are what reminds us to keep on working and achieving things for God. Looking back at the moments wherein God showered us with His mercy and grace fuels our dedication to be better than who we used to be, and allows us to be more grateful for His love toward us. At the same time, we are always reminded in the pulpit that when we do things for the Lord, we should forget it. Forgetting does not mean not acknowledging, but forgetting in a sense that it does not affect our service in the future. It promotes humility and removes any kind of boastfulness in our hearts. 3. Look forward to the things which will become (are to come) [13] Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, In verse 13, we are reminded to "reach forth unto those things which are before". As God blesses us with another day, week, month, or year in our lives, we should also realize that He equips and enables us to do more. If we were able to serve God at the level that we did last year, what stops us from doing, giving, and yearning for more? God has wonderful things planned in our lives, and so should we. There are many things for us to look forward to because the bible is filled with promises from God which are only waiting for us to discover and claim. Looking ahead, we must aspire for greater things for God's glory. 4. Look upward [14] I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. As children of God, it is a great task for us to run our Christian lives well. The labor that we do for the Lord is never in vain for as long as our intentions are pure and our hearts are right. Every work done for God is accounted for (even those that we did not do). One day, the things that we have done for God will be revealed. The bible says that there are rewards waiting for us in heaven. That is why as long as we are here on earth, we must keep on working and serving God. After all, what kind of life is more worth living than living it for the Lord? Having the right perspective will set our dispositions in life on a firmer foundation. If we follow these things that God expects from us, we will never go wrong. One day, we might even find ourselves in the place that we've always prayed for. The most important thing that we need in order to have a brighter year—life ahead is to make God our partner in everything. He knows what's best for us, He will never leave nor forsake us. Let's continue to trust God in this journey and always aim to grow in His grace. /written and published by: Em Gacad
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Inihayag noong September 12, 2021
Ni Pastor Godwyn Aguinaldo Pangunahing Bersikulo: Nehemiah 6:1-5 KJV [1] Now it came to pass when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;) [2] That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief. [3] And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? [4] Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner. [5] Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand; Iba pang mga bersikulo: Psalm 84:10 KJV [10] For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. James 4:7 KJV [7] Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 2 Peter 3:14 KJV [14] Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. Proverbs 4:23-24 KJV [23] Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. [24] Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Si Nehemiah ay kinausap ng Panginoon at nagkaroon ng pasanin na muling itayo ang mga pader ng Jerusalem na naging daan upang maitayo muli ang pangalawang templo ng Panginoon. Ngunit hindi naging madali ang proseso ng pagpapatayo ng mga naturang pader. Una, ang mga Israelita ay nasa pamumuno pa rin ng Persia at pangalawa, karamihan sa kanila ay wala sa kanilang sariling bayan. Ngunit sa gabay ng Panginoon, nabigyan pa ng pabor si Nehemiah ng hari ng Persia upang gawin ang proyektong ito. Hindi pinalampas ni Nehemiah ang pagkakataon na ito at nagpagamit sa tawag ng Panginoon. Kalakip ng pagtanggap ng hamon na ito ay ang mga pagsubok na magmumula sa mga kalaban ng Israel na ayaw na muling maitayo ang mga pader ng Jerusalem. Ang mga taong ito ang nabanggit sa unang bersikulo: sina Sanballat, Tobiah at Geshem. Sa panahong ito ay naitayo na ang pader ngunit wala pang pinto ang istraktura na nagawa ni Nehemiah at ng mga Israelita. Niyaya nila si Nehemiah na makipagkita sa kanila sa isa sa mga nayon sa kapatagan ng Ono (v2). Binigyan ng karunungan ng Panginoon si Nehemiah para maunawaan ang plano ng mga ito na linlangin siya. Nanindigan si Nehemiah at hindi iniwan ang malaking proyekto (great work, v3) na pinagkatiwala sa kanya ng Panginoon. Katulad ni Nehemiah, maraming bagay sa mundong ito ang maaaring magalis ng ating atensyon at pagunlad sa mga gawain natin sa Panginoon. Madalas ay pupuntiryahin tayo ng kalaban, ang diyablo, sa mga kahinaan natin tulad ng naiwang pinto sa istraktura na pinapagawa ni Nehemiah. Makikita natin sa pangunahin nating teksto na nanindigan si Nehemiah sa kabila ng pangungulit nila Sanballat. Limang beses siyang inimbitahan ngunit limang beses din itong tinanggihan ni Nehemiah na tuluyang naintindihan ang bigat at importansya ng gawain ng Panginoon. Sa ating buhay, ang pader ng Jerusalem ay nagsisimbolo sa relasyon natin sa Panginoon. Kaya ba natin protektahan ang ating personal na relasyon sa Panginoon? Kaya ba nating manindigan na hindi maiwanan ang bakod ng ating paglilingkod sa Panginoon? May tatlong binigay sa ating aral si Nehemiah sa kanyang pagtindig sa kanyang gawain sa Panginoon. Kung hindi natin babantayan at paninindigan ang ating mga pader, naiiwan natin ang mga sumusunod: 1. Gawain (Work)
2. Tamang daan (Right Way)
3. Patotoo (Testimony)
Bilang ipinangalan ang ating Project Nehemiah sa kanya, tayo ay hinahamon ng Panginoon gamit ang buhay ni Nehemiah sa malaking hamon ng proyektong nasa ating harapan ngayon. Sa ating paninindigan at di pag-iwan sa gawain Niya, tayo ay makakasumpong ng parehong tagumpay na nakamtan ni Nehemiah. Nagawa ni Nehemiah na maitayo muli ang pader ng Jerusalem na siyang naging daan para maitayo muli ang Templo ng Panginoon. Sa parehong pangako mula sa parehong tunay at buhay na Diyos, tayo ay makakasiguro ng tagumpay sa ating Project Nehemiah kung tayo ay maninindigan sa ating mga paglilingkod katulad ni Nehemiah. /isinulat ni Kevin Sanchez /inilathata ni Em Gacad |