In Joshua 2, Joshua sent spies to scout the city of Jericho. The spies entered the house of Rahab and she told them “I know that the Lord has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us.” Talk about a sure victory for the Israelites. On one hand, God said that He is with them and secondly, their enemies are quaking with fear because of them.

But Joshua did not respond in pride nor arrogance. In fact, in Joshua 3:5, we see Joshua calling the assembly to consecration. He said, “Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” I believe we need to follow the example of Joshua. As we start this fast, we know that it is not our might, intellect, connections, past victories, nor abilities can help us win. We need to humble ourselves and consecrate – to set apart, to dedicate, to cleanse.

That is why we are fasting. We are humbling ourselves before the Lord. It’s not about having all our prayer requests answered. It’s having more of God in our lives. As we begin the fast, may we experience God more like never before. May we hear God’s voice even clearer and may our hearts be ready to obey.

I appreciate my early mentors in the faith when they emphasized the importance of the the Word of God. We were taught how to do daily bible readings and write our insights in a notebook. Regular meditation of the scriptures and doing the Word are part of our spiritual disciplines.

Another important thing we did was to bring our bibles to church as we study it when listening to the sermons and to take down notes in order to remember what we heard from the pulpit. I believe the retention of the sermon is a lot higher when you open the bible yourself and write on your own notebook. There is a greater impact and a bigger propensity to be a doer of the Word compared to one who merely hears it being preached. When you use more than one learning style i.e. hearing while combining it with reading and writing, the more of the Word will be remembered and applied.

Let’s take the Word of God seriously and realize that it is the Bread of Life that is able to transform our lives. I hope to see more and more people study, read, meditate, apply and share the bible. It is truly life-changing!

When the Bicycle Threatened the Church In 1896, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church condemned bicycling on Sunday for enticing parishioners away from church and violating the Fourth Commandment:

The Sabbath, the Lord’s Day of rest for the body, and of worship for the soul, is especially threatened by many unscriptural innovations…Sunday bicycle pleasure riding…

Hard to imagine in our modern world isn’t it? I can’t remember the last time I heard someone describe the bicycle as such an amazing innovation that it puts the Sabbath in jeopardy

But to me, this passage isn’t just an interesting bit of history. It speaks volumes about how the Church reacts to innovation at times. Instead of embracing it and looking for ways to leverage it, we feel threatened. Can you think of examples where today’s Church is reacting in a similar way?

For me (Ariel), we should not be threatened by innovation – computers, internet, powerpoint presentation in churches, electric instruments for worship, bibles readers or electronic bibles, church in malls, etc. These inventions are designed to make our lives better and more efficient (maybe?). I understand that abnormal use (or abuse) can have a negative impact. But I know that we can make use of these to advance God’s kingdom in our current hi-tech days.

Day 2 – Many church members magnanimously gave and volunteered to do relief operations such as receiving, packing and distribution of goods to the respective barangays. Victory Alabang volunteers went to 2 evacuation centers – Tunasan High School and Muntinlupa Sports Center to distribute relief goods.

Day 3 – We sent medical personnel and feeding program volunteers to Alabang Elementary School.

Day 4 – More re-packing of goods in the center.

For those who still want to donate food like canned goods, noodles, water, medicine, clothes, you may still bring it to the Victory Alabang center. Look for Miel or call 771-1212.

For day 5, we will be distributing the relief goods in evacuation centers.

Thank you to all who generously gave and helped in the relief efforts. We truly appreciate you. You are all heroes!

2Cor. 8:2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.

For more updates/ pictures,  please check my facebook.  Thanks.

Series handle: Is Your Faith Real?

Why diamond? There are different facets of a diamond.

- A diamond is a precious stone that is the hardest naturally formed substance made of carbon.

5Cs of a diamond– carat, color, cut, clarity, certification

- Our faith will be tested like a diamond.

-We’ll study the different facets of faith.

Genuine faith will inevitably produce goods deeds.

Have you ever bought a fake product like a fake watch, bag or shoes?

Over a decade ago, I bought a fake Rolex watch in Greenhills. Costs about P1,000. Looks like the original but tarnished after a month. Better to buy an original Timex than a fake Rolex.

Why do people buy fake items?

-        Maybe because they were deceived into buying it.

-        Or maybe they don’t want to pay the price for the original (which is normally more expensive).

Some people can immediately tell what’s real and what’s fake.

A bank teller can easily detect fake bills. Because they are so used to what is real so that when the fake comes along, they can distinguish it from the real ones.

How do we know if a person has genuine faith or not?

We are not to judge others. It is the Word of God judging us.

The standard is the Word of God.

James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

James 1:23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror

James 1:24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

James 1:25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

THE WORD SAVES

James 1:21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

-        We need the Word to overcome the world’s ways.

-        The Word sanctifies us and sets you apart from the world.

-        When you have no Word, you notice that you are easily tempted.

Rom. 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

-        God’s Word increases our faith.

-        Like vitamin C. The more Word you put in you, the more victory you have over temptation.

Eph. 5:26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,

Psalms 119:9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.

James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

-       It is not how much of the Word you know but how much of the Word you do.

-       If you continue living in sin even if you go to church regularly, you are deceiving yourself.

THE WORD GIVES FREEDOM.

James 1:25a But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom,

-        Many people are trapped in a cycle of sin such as drug addiction, gambling (lotto ,casino ,mahjong), pornography (internet or video), immorality (adultery, fornication, homosexuality), drunkenness, greed, lying, stealing (borrowing without returning), laziness and others.

-        And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.

Psa. 119:45 I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.

THE WORD GIVES BLESSING.

James 1:25b and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

Josh. 1:8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

MAINPOINT: FAITH IS PROVEN BY OUR RESPONSE TO THE WORD.

When we spend time reading the bible, we will have an encounter with the Living Word.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

That’s why we need to spend  time with the Word and apply what we have read. Only then can we see change in our lives by the power of the Holy Spirit.

REVELATION + APPLICATION = TRANSFORMATION

As I read the Word, I ask myself the following questions (C.A.P.E.S.):

C- Is there a COMMAND to obey?

A- Is there an ATTITUDE to change?

P- Is there a PROMISE to claim?

E- Is there an EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW?

S- Is there a SIN to confess?

This makes me conscious of what I need to do with the Word that I just read.

More on James next week! See you in our weekend services.