Matthew 7: Keep Asking, Keep Seeking, Keep Knocking

 

Keep Asking, Keep Seeking, Keep Knocking

Scripture:

Sa Gospel of Matthew 7:7:

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

Observation:

May invitation ang Panginoong Jesus Christ sa atin, to come to Him and build a real relationship with God. Hindi ito one-time lang, kundi tuloy-tuloy, may tiyaga at may tiwala.

Ginamit Niya ang tatlong salita: ask, seek, and knock, na nagpapakita ng progression sa paglapit natin sa Diyos.

Sa totoong buhay, kapag may kailangan tayo, hindi tayo tumitigil sa paghingi lang. Naghahanap tayo ng paraan, kumikilos, at nagpupursige hanggang makuha natin yung kailangan natin. Ganun din sa spiritual life natin, hindi lang one-time prayer, kundi continuous na paglapit sa Diyos.

Ask – shows dependence

Inaamin natin na may kailangan tayo at umaasa tayo sa Diyos.

Seek – shows desire

Hindi lang tayo humihingi, kundi hinahanap natin ang Diyos at ang Kanyang will.

Knock – shows persistence

Kahit may delay o parang sarado ang pinto, tuloy pa rin tayo sa pagkatok, trusting na bubuksan Niya sa tamang time.

Ipinapakita nito na ang relationship natin sa Diyos ay intentional at active,hindi passive. Gumagalaw, naghahanap, at nagpapatuloy.

Ang promise ng Panginoon ay may sagot, pero hindi laging ayon sa gusto natin, kundi ayon sa Kanyang will, wisdom, at perfect timing.

Ang Diyos na meron tayo is not blind sa needs natin, at hindi rin Siya deaf sa prayers natin. He sees, hears, and responds.

Application:

Minsan, tumitigil tayo mag-pray kapag feeling natin walang sagot. Madali tayong ma-discourage, mapagod, o mainip, at naiisip natin na baka hindi tayo pinapansin ni Lord.

Pero reminder sa atin: don’t give up.

Keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking.

Check natin sarili natin:

• Consistent ba tayo sa paglapit sa Diyos?
• Lumalapit lang ba tayo kapag may problema o kailangan?
• Siya ba ang first option natin, o last option?
• Kapag delayed ang sagot, tuloy pa rin ba ang trust natin?

Hindi lang ito about asking for blessings, this is about building a relationship with God.

Habang naghihintay tayo, hinuhubog Niya yung puso natin. Pinapalalim Niya yung faith natin at tinuturuan tayong magtiwala sa Kanya fully.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You sa love Mo at sa invitation Mong lumapit kami sa Iyo with faith and trust. Teach us to be consistent sa pag-ask, pag-seek, at pag-knock sa Iyo.

Kapag napapagod o nadidiscourage kami, remind us na nandiyan Ka lang, ready to listen at umalalay sa amin. Palalimin Mo yung faith namin at tulungan Mo kaming magtiwala sa Iyong will at perfect timing.

Thank You, Lord, dahil alam namin na You hear us and You are working in our lives.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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ELDER PANGGA - JCRC RIYADH

Matthew 6: "Finding Satisfaction on What Truly Matters"

 

"Finding Satisfaction on what truly matters"

Matthew 6:19-21

V19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;

V20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

V21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Jesus sermon on the mount teaches His disciples the comparison between heavenly and earthly treasures. Wherein He emphasizes the significance of investing eternal treasure in heaven, same with us .

Though,Aminin po ntin na minsan or madalas po tayo ay mahilig talaga mag invest ng time, effort sa mga earthly treasures (it can be):

~People - because we are attached 

~Work- for promotion 

~Possessions - kasi po for future use

~Money- we can buy everything 

~Positions -to gain power

~Higher education -to gain more knowledge 

Why we usually invest in earthly treasures?

It is because we lost our trust to God..so we feel the fear, we fear of what we might lose, we fear of what might we miss ,we fear of not having a lot. We are not contented, we want to gain more than what we have, anything excess is dangerous to our heart most specially if it takes God's place in our heart.

The world teaches us to constantly seek more—more success, more possessions, more recognition. But the more we chase these things, the more our hearts become unsettled. Contentment does not come from abundance of things, but from alignment with God.

That's why Jesus exhorted to us to lay up treasures in heaven to always obey Him to fulfill our heavenly purpose while on earth kasi those are intangible yet fulfilling because it is for Gods Glory. It is eternal and it will lead us to:

•A deeper relationship with God

•Freedom from fear of losing and material bondages

•Peace of not wanting more from the earth

•Joy of contentment 

•Feeling deeply loved by God by having just enough 

• we trust in Gods provision 

•Above all, eternal reward in heaven

***Our heart is never meant to be divided. It was created to be centered on God.

When we choose heavenly treasure, our hearts become lighter, free, and aligned with God’s purpose. But when earthly things take over, they slowly weigh the heart down.

***What we value today is shaping our heart tomorrow.

Question to reflect.

What do we value more- our relationship with God or our attachment to His creations?”

Let us pray,

Lord we thank You for the life and love You shared in every exhortation You bring through Your Word. Search my heart..may this heart of mine always seek for Your Glory, to value what is eternal and to release everything that hold me back in sincerely serving You.

In Jesus name.

Amen 🙏🏼

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ELDER SALLY - JCRC RIYADH

Matthew 5: SHINE THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

 

Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. 

SHINE THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

🌎 THE WORLD’S TESTIMONY

The world is a dark place. We don’t even have to look at the news to know that it is dark – sinful, deceptive, wicked, full of broken relationships, confusion, corruption, and immorality. People are morally and spiritually blind, confused and without clear direction, as we were once when we were still lost in our sins before we met Jesus. 

❇️ JESUS LIGHT TESTIMONY

But those of us who follow Jesus - Jesus says, we are “the light of the world” for His light shines on every believer. We know where we are going. We have moral and spiritual clarity regarding sin. We live life in the light of what Christ has revealed to us through His Holy Spirit. With the light of Jesus Christ - We make small and big decisions based on what pleases God and brings Him glory. We are no longer blinded spiritually. We no longer live in the dark. 

This is what Jesus brings to us – His light shining giving us CLARITY, DIRECTION and PURPOSE.

❤️ OUR TESTIMONY TO THE WORLD

As light of the world, radiating the light of Christ, we are called to help others see in dark places. We are Jesus followers that our light is impossible to remain hidden. A lamp is not to be placed under a basket, it is designed to be seen – as we are designed to help others see the light of Christ.

Because Jesus is the ultimate light that shines in our lives, we must reflect that same light to others. And so, this is our testimony - the LIGHT we carry for the world to see.

SHINE THE LIGHT OF JESUS BY:

✝️ PREACHING HIS WORD 

✨ We have been entrusted with His message to share with others. 

✨ Jesus’ message of salvation is the ultimate light that illuminates reality.

✨ Shine His light wherever we go. Every soul matters to God.

Mark 16:15 Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 

✝️ LIVING HIS WORKS

✨ People recognize our light through our good deeds. 

✨ Our action is an opportunity to spark their life showing that His works are alive.

✨ Shine His light in whatever we do. Every act will not go unnoticed to God. 

Ephesians 5:8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.

✝️ LOVING HIS WILL

✨ Without surrendering to His will, our actions are meaningless. 

✨ Our heart must desire to be aligned with His light – His divine purpose for us.  

✨ Shine His light for others to see how much Jesus loves them. Every surrender honors God.

1 Thessalonians 5:5 For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day; we do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

The Light Reminder 

💡 When we act in kindness, show love, and extend grace to others, we reflect who Jesus is. 

💡 Our lives become mirrors that reveal the beauty of God’s light to everyone we encounter. 

💡 The light we shine is not our own, but rather the light of the One who cares for all creation.

SHINE the LIGHT of JESUS CHRIST

🌟 SO THAT OTHERS GIVE GLORY TO GOD

🌟 SO THAT OTHERS THINK WELL OF GOD

🌟 SO THAT OTHERS WORSHIP GOD

Others can tell what we believe by how we live. And so LIVE in a way that radiates the light of Jesus. Let our lives be a TESTIMONY OF THE LIGHT OF CHRIST.

Prayer

Dear Lord, shine your light through us for others to see, that the way we live, treat others, and our character points back to You. May our lives bring glory to Your name – that our lives be a radiance of Yours. Shine through us Lord, and that in every soul we meet will feel Your presence and see Your light through us. Let others look at our light, that they no longer see us, but only You Jesus in our lives! Amen!

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PASTORA RIVA - JCRC RIYADH

MATTHEW 4: BE DEPENDENT ON THE WORD

 

MATTHEW 4:1-11

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”

4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”

5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:

‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’”

7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’”

8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”

10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”

11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

OBSERVATION: 

Jesus was led by the spirit to the wilderness, He fasted for 40 days and 40 nights (V2)-just imagine the physical exhaustion Jesus had experience--also notice that Satan knows, so it came to distract Jesus through temptations.

    1.Physical Temptation (V3-4)

--also known as the Lust of the flesh

--tempting Jesus to use His Devine power to meet His own Physical needs rather than relying on God.

    2.Tempation of Pride (V5-7)

--challenging Jesus to Display His power and demonstrate Kingship (having all authority and control)

    3.Tempation of Power (V8-10)

--tempting Jesus with material covetousness (e.g. wealth, possessions)

Amidst these temptations, Jesus never sinned, for He relied His strength on GOD.

And in all this, Jesus Responded, through the Word of God, on what is written--that even Satan knows(v6).

Jesus,  demonstrating His  dependence on the Word of God, as a result the Enemy Left Him (V11)

APPLICATION: 

As the Lord hear the desires of our hearts, our needs, our thoughts and our prayers, the enemy also listens.

Temptations can come in different aspects of our life---for it is the way of the enemy to drift us away from our relationship with God.

However, we Have Jesus to demonstrate us on How to battle these temptations--battle it with the word of GOD--anchor your strength on what is written--Go back to your bible, Go back on what the Lord had promised.

V4-encouraged us to feed ourselves with the word of God, for in feeding we will be able to:

     *Know God's heart

     *Stand Firm on truth

     *Recognize Deception, False teachings if we hear one

     *Grow in Faith that is Grounded, Rooted-- that does not easily drift. 

The word of God is Alive and Active (Hebrews 4:12)--Jesus was Tempted but never sinned because He knows where to anchor His strength, that is to GOD, in His Words. Our will power will never be enough, we always need God's guidance and words to rebuke temptations.

Let's Pray: 

Father, we  thank You for enduring and sustaining us through your Words.

We pray that You constantly make us thirst and hunger to grow our knowledge of You and Your Words, that we may be able to be dependent on you in times of temptation in life.

In Jesus Name, We pray, Amen.

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ELDER KHEN - JCRC RIYADH

MATTHEW 3: TRUSTING GOD’S PERFECT TIMING

 

TRUSTING GOD’S PERFECT TIMING

“But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.” Matthew 3:15 

This moment between Jesus and John the Baptist is quiet, but deeply powerful.

When Jesus came to be baptized, John hesitated. In his understanding, it did not feel right. Jesus was sinless He had no need for repentance. To John, the timing seemed off, the action unnecessary

So John resisted.

But Jesus gently responded,

 “Let it be so now.”

In that simple statement, Jesus revealed something meaningful:

There are moments in Gods plan that wont  make sense to human understanding but they are still perfectly right in His timing.

Jesus was not  just agreeing to be baptized - He was choosing obedience over explanation.

He was embracing humility over position - He was trusting the Fathers will, even when it did not need to be justified.

He submitted to the “now” of God.

What This Means for Us:

We all go through seasons where Gods timing feels hard to understand

There are prayers that seem delayed.

Doors that dont open when we expect them to.

Situations that stretch us, humble us, or even break us.

And we quietly ask:

 • “Lord, why now?”

 • “Why this path?”

 • “Why this waiting?”

Sometimes, like John, we struggle because it does not align with what we think should happen.

But Jesus shows us another way.

Instead of resisting, He trusted.

Instead of demanding answers, He obeyed.

Instead of delaying, He surrendered.

Because He knew this truth: Gods timing is never random it is always purposeful.

Even the uncomfortable “now” has meaning.

Even the delay is doing something in us.

Even the process is part of fulfilling Gods righteousness in our lives.

God is not only preparing our future He is shaping our heart in this very moment.

A Gentle Reminder

Sometimes, obedience will feel:

 • Unseen

 • Uncelebrated

 • Uncomfortable

But it is never unnoticed by God.

That “small yes” we  give today

That step of faith in uncertainty

That surrender in a season we dont understand

It matters in heaven.

Just like Jesus baptism was the beginning of something greater, our obedience in the “now” may be preparing us for what is ahead.

Heart Check:

• Am I trusting God only when I understand or even when I dont?

• Is there a “now” in my life that Ive been resisting?

• What is God asking me to surrender today?

• Can I choose obedience over explanation, like Jesus did?

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being a God of perfect timing. Even when  we dont understand the seasons we are in help us to trust that You are working all things for good.

Teach us to say “yes” to You, even when it feels uncomfortable or unclear. Give us a humble and obedient heart like Jesus willing to follow Your will in every moment.

Strengthen us in the waiting, guide us in the process, and remind us that You are never late you are always right on time.

We surrender our “now” to You.

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ELDER JOAN - JCRC RIYADH

MATTHEW 1: NOT JUST A NAME

 

MATTHEW 1:1-2 - 1The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ,  the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: 2 Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers.

NOT JUST A NAME….

3 POWERFUL TRUTHS:

❇️ JESUS IS THE PROMISED SAVIOR

“JESUS CHRIST” – not just a name. This is identity. 

This is mission. “JESUS “ means Savior.

”CHRIST” means the Anointed One, the Messiah 

ROMANS 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us 

❇️ JESUS IS THE PROMISED KING

God keep His promises across generations. From Abraham to  David to Jesus.

God’s plan never failed.

LUKE 2:11 For there is born to you this day in the city of  David a Savior, who is Christ the LORD.

❇️ JESUS IS THE PROMISE KEEPER

And even when it seemed long…even when heaven felt silent…even when nothing seemed to be happening…

Jesus came.

The promise was not delayed— it was fulfilled exactly in God’s perfect time.

Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," who is Christ.

NOW, HOW DO WE RESPOND TO THESE POWERFUL TRUTHS?

IF JESUS IS OUR PROMISED SAVIOR

✝️ Receive Him as Savior 

Jesus saved us—not because we earned it, but because He loves us.

IF JESUS IS OUR PROMISED KING

✝️ Submit to Him as King 

A King is not just admired—He is obeyed.

IF JESUS IS OUR PROMISE KEEPER

✝️ Trust ALL His promises.

God doesn’t break His promises—even when it feels delayed.

If Jesus is your SAVIOR, KING AND PROMISE-KEEPER, it will show. LIVE FOR HIM!

The genealogy we often think is boring….is actually beautiful.

Because behind every name – there is grace.

Behind every generation –there is faithfulness.

And at the center of it all---is JESUS.

💟 REMEMBER THIS: 

Your past is not a hindrance.

Your family background is not a hindrance.

Your weaknesses are not a hindrance.

Because God can still write His story…. through you.

And one day, your life will also point to one Name—

The Name above every name ---- JESUS

JESUS

Our Promised Savior, 

Our Promised King,

And Our Promise-Keeper

❤️ Let us reflect:

1. Do I truly believe that Jesus is my Savior- or am I still trying to save myself?

2. Is Jesus really the King of my life - or just part of my life?

3. Do I trust God’s promises- even when I don’t see results yet?

4. Am I willing to wait on God’s timing without giving up?

Philippians 2:9-11

9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

NOT JUST A NAME….

BUT THE NAME OF... 

JESUS 🙌🙏🙌

Pastora Sherly 

JCRC Riyadh

Matthew 2: From Herod to Heaven’s Way

 

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 2:8-12

⁸ He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

⁹ After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. ¹¹ On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. ¹² And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

OBSERVATION

Herod’s words were filled with deceit, pretending he wanted to worship Jesus, but his heart was corrupt (Jeremiah 17:9). In contrast, the wise men’s hearts were sincere, and God honored their pursuit. The star guided them faithfully, reminding us of God’s promise in Psalm 32:8-“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.”

When they encountered Jesus, their response was worship and giving. They bowed before Him, presenting gifts that symbolized His kingship, priesthood, and sacrifice (Philippians 2:10–11). But the encounter did not end with worship—it changed their direction. God warned them in a dream not to return to Herod, and they obeyed, departing by another way. This illustrates that a true encounter with Christ leads to transformation, a new path, and a turning away from the old, ungodly ways as stated in2 Corinthians 5:17-“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

APPLICATION

Like the wise men, we too are called not only to seek Christ but to allow Him to change the very course of our lives. A genuine encounter with Jesus does not leave us the same—it shifts our priorities, reorients our worship, and even alters the paths we take. When the wise men met the Child, they could not return to Herod; instead, they were led “by another way.” This is a powerful picture of transformation.

As Psalm 16:11 declares, “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.” In Christ, we discover a new path filled with joy and purpose. And Proverbs 3:6 reminds us, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Meeting Jesus means surrendering our old ways, sins, and patterns, and walking in the newness of life guided by His Spirit.

For us as believers, and especially for JCRC—Jesus Christ’s Remnant Church—this truth is central to our identity. We are not a people who return to Herod, to the old life, but a transformed community continually seeking His presence and following His direction. Our encounter with Christ must be evident in the way we live, worship, and walk together in obedience, showing the world that meeting Jesus truly changes everything.

 

PRAYER

Hallelujah! Heavenly Father, thank you for the example of the wise men who sought Jesus with all their hearts, worshiped Him with their treasures, and obeyed Your voice to walk in a new direction.

 Lord, may our encounter with Christ daily transform us, redirect us, and renew us. I also lift up to you the remnants to be a people who not only seek You but also live out the new path You set before us. May our worship be genuine, our obedience steadfast, and our lives a testimony that meeting Jesus changes everything. In His mighty name we pray, Amen.

From Herod to Heaven’s Way: True Encounter with Christ Leads to Transformation

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PASTORA JEANNIE – JCRC SORSOGON