ROMANS 2 - REPENTANCE OVER PRIDE

 

Romans 2:5

“But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when His righteous judgment will be revealed.” God is good, and because of His goodness, He desires everyone who has sinned to turn away from sin and genuinely repent. As Christians, we know how difficult it can be when we are fully aware that something is wrong, yet we still choose to do it because of our own desires. Every time we do, we put ourselves in greater spiritual danger. That is why God continually reminds us to "sin no more," because deliberately continuing in sin has serious consequences. This week, as I reflected on my life, I felt a deep conviction. There were things I knew were wrong, yet I still chose to do them. Because of that, I was filled with shame. It was painful to realize that the very things I kept asking God to forgive me for were the same things I continued doing. It made me feel like I was taking God's goodness and grace for granted. Through this experience, I finally understood the rhema shared by Pastora Agnes: "The greatest danger is not committing a mistake—it is refusing to repent." That truth reminded me that God's desire is not for us to remain in guilt, but to have hearts that are willing to repent and return to Him. The lesson I learned is that sometimes our motives may seem valid to us, but that does not mean they are according to Scripture. Our feelings and reasons should never become greater than the truth of God's Word. That is why we must always go back to our foundation—the Word of God—because sometimes we unknowingly believe lies that slowly damage our relationship with Him. May we always choose repentance over pride, truth over our own reasoning, and obedience over our own desires.

-------------- DEAC DANICA JCRC SORSOGON -Deaconess Danica -JCRC SORSOGON

Romans 3 - MAGING MATUWID

 Romans 3 - MAGING MATUWID

Ang buong kabanata sa Romans 3 ay nagpapakita na lahat ng tao ay nagkasala sa harap ng Diyos. Mapa-hudyo man o hentil ay parehong makasalanan. Ngunit ang pagkakaiba nila ayon sa Romans 2:12, "Ang mga Hentil ay walang Kautusan ni Moises. Sila ay nagkakasala at paparusahan nang hindi batay sa Kautusan. Ang mga Hudyo ay mayroong Kautusan. Sila ay nagkakasala at hahatulan batay sa Kautusan." Sa kasalukuyan, ang mga Hudyo ay ang mga BELIEVERS at ang mga Hentil ay UNBELIEVERS. Kung titingnan ang estado ng dalawang grupo makikita natin kung sino ang nasa taas at nasa ibaba. Dahil doon, nagkakaroon ng PRIDE ang mga nasa taas dahil sila ang may good advantage dito kumpara sa isa. PROS OF BELIEVERS: *Alam nila ang Kautusan. Kilala nila ang Diyos. He is a triune God. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. *Alam ang tama at mali. Dahil meron tayong Kautusan na sinasabi kung ano ang dapat na gawing tama at hindi dapat gawin. *Alam kung paano manalangin. *At alam nating dapat ipangaral ang Salita ng Diyos sa lahat. CONS OF BELIEVERS: *Nagiging hambog na kesyo sila ay may kaugnayan sa Diyos, alam ang kalooban ng Diyos at sumasang-ayon ka sa mabubuting bagay. Dahil doon, sa halip na ibaba natin ang ating sarili upang maabot ang mga unbelievers ay nagiging unreachable and unrelatable. Tuloy ay may namuong distansiya sa pagitan natin at ng taong iyon. Kapag nagkasala ba tayo, hinahambugan ba tayo ni Lord na siya ay malinis at tayo ay marumi? Hinding-hindi! Siya ay nagpakumbaba upang abutin tayo at naging tao upang makiisa sa ating nararamdaman. Upang ipakita sa atin na Siya ay malalapitan natin sa panahon ng problema, at pagsubok. Bilang mananampalataya, ganun din ang gawin natin na sa halip na magmataas ay magpakumbaba tayo. Sabi nga sa Romans 2:1, "Kaya nga, sino ka mang humahatol sa iba, wala kang maidadahilan. Sapagkat sa paghatol mo sa iba, hinahatulan mo rin ang iyong sarili, dahil ikaw na humahatol ay gumagawa rin ng ganoon." Ito ang dahilan kung bakit may nag ba-backslide na hindi natin mapabalik. Dahil pinaparamdam nating tayo ay malinis at siya ay marumi. Na siya ay makasalanan at mali ang ginagawa niya. Mali naman talaga ang ginawa niya but the way to encourage her back should be done right. Dahil lahat naman tayo ay makasalanan. In Romans 3:10, "WALANG MATUWID, WALA KAHIT ISA." So, huwag mong batuhin ng bato ang taong iyon hanggang mamatay dahil ikaw rin ay makasalanan din. Kung hindi ka nagkasala ay tsaka ka bumato. Pero tanging ang Diyos lang ang hindi nagkasala, binato niya ba tayo hanggang sa mamatay? Diba Hindi, pinatawad ng Panginoon ang babae at sinabing, "SIN NO MORE." So, there is no toleration. His Grace is justification that He turned the guilty person not guilty.

*Pangalawa, pagbabalat-kayo. Hypocrisy. Hindi natin namamalayan na tayo ay nakatago na pala sa likod ng maskara at pinapakita lamang natin sa panlabas ang kagandahan at kabutihan. Sabi sa Romans 2:21-23. Nagtuturo tayo sa iba kung ano ang dapat gawin ngunit sa sarili natin ay hindi rin natin ginagawa. I mean, this is very hard because sometimes we are real, sometimes we are not. We are not consistent. Pero ipanalangin natin sa Diyos na patawarin tayo sa pagkakasalang ito. Patawarin din natin ang ating sarili kapag hindi umaayon sa plano natin ang nangyayare. I know the frustration of it. Mas consistent pa ata akong gumawa ng mali kesa gumawa ng tama. And I hate myself for doing that. I have no excuse. Mali talaga. Pero, I realized, pinatawad ka na nga ni Lord; patawarin mo narin ang iyong sarili. BE REAL. BE GENUINE TO EVERYONE. That's why, I'm showing my weakness right now in front of everybody and in front of God. That I always tell, I don't deserve God. Tama, hindi talaga natin deserve ang kabutihan ni Lord dahil palagi nalang natin Siyang tini-take advantage. Pero sagana parin ang awa at Biyaya Niya sa atin. Sabi nga sa Romans 2:29, "Ang tunay na Judio ay ang taong nabago sa puso't kalooban ayon sa Espiritu at hindi ayon sa Kautusang nasusulat..." Amen. Ang tunay na believer ay hindi pakitang-tao kundi maging tunay na tao. Don't please people. Please God instead. Magpalinis tayo ng ating puso araw-araw upang bumukal sa atin ang Kaniyang pagmamahal at kabutihan. Kaya kapatid, maging mabuti tayong mananampalataya sa Diyos. Magpakumbaba at humingi ng tawad dahil lahat tayo ay nagkasala. Sabi sa Romans 3:21-22, "Ngunit ngayo'y nahayag na kung paano ginagawang matuwid ng Diyos ang tao. Ito'y hindi sa pamamagitan ng Kautusan, bagaman ang Kautusan at ang mga Propeta ang nagpatotoo tungkol dito. Ginagawang matuwid ng Diyos ang lahat sa pamamagitan ng kanilang pananampalataya Kay Jesu-Cristo. Walang pagkakaiba ang mga tao." Amen! Romans 3:27, "Kaya't ano ngayon ang ating maipagmamalaki? Wala!..." Stay grounded. - Elder Mc- JCRC SORSOGON

ROMANS 1: UNCOMPROMISING TRUTH

 

In the last part of Romans 1, Paul shows how sinful human beings can be. He lists the bad things people do when they turn away from God. These terrible actions were not just a problem in Paul's time—we see them happening everywhere today. The worst part is that modern society does not just accept these sins; it actually celebrates them.

According to Romans 1:28–32, because people refused to keep God in their minds, God let them have worthless minds to do things they should not do. This led to a long list of sins:

●      Wickedness and Greed: People wanting more and doing wrong things to get it.

●      Hate and Jealousy: Hearts full of envy, murder, and fighting.

●      Gossip and Lies: People talking behind backs and tricking others.

●      Pride and Disobedience: Being boastful, inventing new ways to do evil, and disobeying parents.

●      No Mercy: Being untrustworthy, unloving, and unkind.

The Danger of Tolerance

In the Scriptures, Satan is sometimes called Beelzebub, which means "Lord of the Flies." This name provides a powerful spiritual warning. Think about how flies operate in nature: when a fly lands on a tiny, open wound, it leaves behind bacteria. If that small wound is ignored, it quickly becomes infected, grows into a much bigger problem, and can ultimately lead to death.

This is exactly how moral decay happens in our society. When we tolerate seemingly small sins today, we open a spiritual wound. Over time, those small compromises build up.

This pattern creates a dangerous cultural timeline:

●      Today: Sin is tolerated.

●      Tomorrow: Sin is normalized.

●      The Future: Sin is celebrated.

The Path to Spiritual Blindness

When society reaches the point where sin is not just accepted but actively celebrated, people's hearts and minds become spiritually blinded. This blindness stops people from repenting. These unrepented sins become deep, open wounds in our souls—the perfect landing spot for the "flies" of the enemy.

The ultimate danger of this cycle is spiritual death. When we constantly romanticize and normalize sin, we lose the ability to tell the difference between right and wrong.

Eventually, this complete blindness can lead to blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Because the heart has become entirely hardened and no longer recognizes sin, it completely rejects the Holy Spirit's call to repentance—cutting a person off from the very grace that could save them. This is why protecting our morality today is so urgent, not just for ourselves, but for the sake of future generations.

The Compromise Within the Church

Tragically, this decay is not just happening in the secular world. Many Christians nowadays—who are supposed to stand up and fight for the Truth—are actually the ones encouraging, excusing, and defending these very acts.

Instead of being a light in the darkness, they bend to cultural peer pressure. This happens because many believers are no longer grounded in the Scriptures. Without a deep, unwavering foundation in God's Word, they confuse compromise with love, and they end up leading others astray by validating the very things God warns against.

The Moral Lesson from Romans 1: Guard Your Heart Early

The core moral lesson of Romans 1 is that spiritual drift happens one small choice at a time, and the ultimate judgment for ignoring God is being left to our own desires.

Romans 1:21 says that society's downfall began because "although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him." They did not start with major sins; they started with ingratitude and ignoring God. Because they tolerated those "small" spiritual wounds, verses 24, 26, and 28 reveal the terrifying consequence: "God gave them over" to their own sinful minds.

Furthermore, Romans 1:32 warns against those who "not only continue to do these very things but also give hearty approval to those who practice them." When Christians endorse unbiblical behaviors, they fall directly into this trap of giving "hearty approval" to sin.

The takeaway for us is clear:

Do not let the "flies" of compromise land on your heart or your church. We must protect our minds today by staying deeply rooted in the Scriptures. If we tolerate small wrongs now, we risk losing our ability to see the truth later. Guard your conscience, refuse to cheer for what God calls wrong, and keep your faith firmly anchored in the Word of God and do not be afraid to stand with the truth avoiding the danger of tolerance of the said sins. Lastly, Reach out for those who are blinded by the romanticization of sin with Love, Patience and Guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
 
Doon tayo sa Tunay. In short Doon tayo kay Jesus.

--------------- ELDER JERO

ACTS 28 : FROM A SNAKE-BITE TO A TESTIMONY

 

Acts 28:5 (Highlight verse)

"But Paul shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm."
 
 
The Viper Will Come, But It Cannot Cling - v.5
Paul didn't go looking for a snake. He was serving - gathering sticks for the fire - and the snake latched on because of the heat.
The enemy often attacks right after God shows you mercy [Paul had just survived a shipwreck] and right when you are serving faithfully. The attack is not proof God left you, it's proof the fire of God on your life disturbed the enemy.

The enemy can strike, but he cannot shake the throne holding you.

Don't negotiate with the snake, shake it off. Fear, betrayal, sickness, anxiety - shake it into the fire of God's presence.

What Was Meant To Kill You Will Become Your Pulpit. The people waited for Paul to die. When he didn't, verse 9 says the whole island came to be healed. God will use your snake-bite story to bring healing to others and God will turn your snake-bite into a testimony.
 
Acts 28:30-31 (HIGHLIGHT)
"He lived there two whole years... proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance."

Paul was under house arrest. Earthly circumstances had changed. People had left. His freedom had failed - but look - even chained, he was unhindered. Why? Because his refuge was not Rome, not freedom, not people. His refuge was the eternal throne.

God's Word is Unstoppable, God's People are Unstoppable Because He is the UNSTOPPABLE GOD
 
Chains can bind your Hands, But not your Calling. 

God's miracles:
v.5 - He delivers you FROM the trial [The snake dies]
v.30-31 - He sustains you IN the trial [You thrive even while still chained]
 
True peace is not when everything around you is unhindered, but when you remain bold and unhindered INSIDE, because your soul has found peace at the throne.

Run TO the throne, not FROM the storm. Your security is positional. The safest place is not where storms disappear, but where the King still reigns.

Use Your Authority. Authority doesn't work until you open your mouth and use it. Shake it off. Speak the Word. Luke 10:19 Binigyan ko kayo ng kapangyarihang tapakan ang mga ahas at mga alakdan, at daigin ang lahat ng kapangyarihan ng kaaway; at walang makakapanakit sa inyo.

Luke wrote the Book of Acts in detail and faithfully - the acts of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Paul and the apostles. May we be the same in proclaiming the goodness and power of God at work in us.

Live Unhindered Either Way. Whether God removes the viper instantly or allows the chain to remain for a season, decide this: "I will proclaim the Kingdom with all boldness. I am held, I am covered, I am unhindered."

ACTS 26: WHEN THE LIGHT OF GOD SHINES ON US

 

Scripture: Acts 26:12-18 (ESV)

12“In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. 14And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ^a ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, 17delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 18to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

Observation 

In this account of Saul’s conversion, he mentions that the light from heaven did not only shine around him, but also around those who journeyed with him (v13). Further down in the passage in v17 & 18 Jesus told him the He is sending Paul to the gentiles (the very people he intended to persecute) to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light.

Firstly, if we look at the sequence of events, God’s light fell on Paul first, but also on those around him, before sending him to the gentiles to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light. There is no coincidence in how the event of Saul’s conversion and calling unfolds.

Jesus shines His light on Saul. Then after Saul responded and ask Jesus, who are you Lord, did Jesus then reveal His identity to Saul. After Jesus revealed Himself, did He appoint Saul and sent him as Paul.

Secondly the light intended for Saul, also fell on the travellers who were with him on the road. The divine appointment was for Saul, but others were also witnessed it. In Acts 9:8 the Bible tells us that those who were with him, guided (the now blinded) Paul to Damascus completing the intended journey with him.

Thirdly a journey was planned for specific destination, with one purpose to persecute and destroy. But when the light of God was shined on the journey and that travellers, the purpose changed, same destination, but different purpose to bring light and life in stead of darkness and death.

Application

When God convicts you of something, will you respond ("Who are you, Lord?") and then obey, stand up and go when He commands you to move? When the light of God shines on us, our transformation spills over to those closest to us.

God often uses the people around us to guide us through seasons of spiritual blindness. Allow others to help you walk when you are figuring out your new path. Also be of help when you are witness to someone coming into the light from the darkness.

What is the current goal of the path you are on? Are you walking towards a destination with a spirit of pride and selfishness? Surrender you path to God and allow Him to work in you. He is all powerful to turn our misguided intentions toward His light, His purposes, His glory when we surrender our plans to Him

Prayer

Lord, help us to respond in obedience to Your commands. Search our hearts, our plans, our motives and bring correction where it is needed. Help us by the power of your Holy Spirit to surrender and yield to corrections so that we continue to walk in Your light and purpose so that You alone may be glorified. Amen.

 

---------------------------------

PAS HESMA - JCRC SA

 

ACTS 24: PAUL OR FELIX: WHOSE PATH WILL YOU CHOOSE?

When we choose to follow Christ, we should not expect the world to applaud us. The world rejected Jesus, and it will often reject those who faithfully walk in His footsteps. Acts 24 presents two contrasting responses to God: one through the life of Paul and the other through Felix.

The Nature of the World

The world is not merely the people around us but the sinful system that opposes God.

* It is driven by sin and selfishness.
* It rejected and crucified Jesus Christ.
* It values self-interest over God's will.

The world's message today is simple: “Live for yourself. Do what makes you happy. Put yourself first. "But God's kingdom calls us to deny ourselves and follow Christ.

Paul: One Who Refused the Ways of the World

- Paul stood before Governor Felix, falsely accused by the religious leaders. His only "crime" was faithfully preaching Jesus Christ.

Acts 24:5
We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among all the Jews throughout the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect."

- The world misunderstood Paul because he refused to compromise. Instead of following culture, he followed Christ.

Paul boldly declared:

Acts 24:14
However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets.

- Paul was not ashamed to be identified with the Way. He did not seek the approval of people but the approval of God. His life was marked by integrity.

Acts 24:16
“So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man."

- A believer who chooses God's way may be criticized, misunderstood, or falsely accused, but a clear conscience before God is worth more than the approval of the world.

Felix: A Friend of the World

- Felix listened to Paul preach, but his heart remained unchanged. Paul spoke about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment—the very truths Felix needed to hear.

Acts 24:25

"As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, 'That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.

- Instead of responding in repentance, Felix delayed obedience because he was more concerned with his own comfort, power, and personal gain than with surrendering to God.

Acts also reveals another motive.
Acts 24:26
“At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe."

And finally,

Acts 24:27

"...Wanting to grant a favor to the Jews, Felix left Paul in prison."

- Felix sought the approval of people rather than the will of God. He heard the truth but refused to let it transform his life.

Our Choice Today

Acts 24 places before us the same decision.

Will we be like Paul, who stood firm in obedience despite opposition?
Or will we be like Felix, who chose convenience, popularity, and self-interest over obedience to God?

The enemy can accuse us, criticize us, and even persecute us, but he cannot take away the life that Christ has given us. As followers of Jesus, our calling is not to gain the world's approval but to remain faithful to God.

Paul chose God's approval despite opposition, while Felix chose the world's approval over obedience. 
Like Paul, let us keep a clear conscience, boldly proclaim the truth, and remain steadfast even when the world stands against us.

For our lives are not in the hands of the world—they are in the hands of the Lord.

Acts 24:15

"...I have the same hope in God... that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked."

--------------------------------

PAS MATET - JCRC HANOI

ACTS 18: GOD'S SPECIAL ENCOURAGEMENT TO YOU, OBEDIENT ONE

 

“Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many people in this city.”

                                                                — Acts 18:10

 

While Paul was in Corinth, God spoke to him in a vision. After facing persecution in many places

Paul may have felt afraid or discouraged. God encouraged him to keep preaching by giving him three promises.

 

1.     "For I am with you." (Acts 18:11)

- Paul remained in Corinth for 18 months, boldly teaching God's Word because he was strengthened by God's presence.

2.      "No one will attack you to harm you." (Acts 18:14–16)

-          When Paul was brought before Gallio, God protected him. The charges were dismissed, and Paul was neither arrested nor harmed.

3.      "For I have many people in this city." (Acts 18:8, 11)

-          God was already working in Corinth. Crispus, his household, and many Corinthians believed in the Lord, and many more came to faith during Paul's ministry.

 

God's presence, protection, and sovereign plan gave Paul the courage to continue serving faithfully despite opposition. The same God is with us today as we faithfully obey His calling.

 

Reflections:

1.      What fear is keeping me from obeying God's calling?

2.      Will I continue sharing the gospel even if I face rejection?

3.      Am I trusting God to work in people's hearts, even when I don't see immediate results?

 

Like Paul, may we faithfully obey God's calling, trusting that God is already at work and that His purposes will always be accomplished.

-------------------------------------

ELDER BAYIS - JCRC HANOI