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The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: A Pathway to Divine Fulfillment

The concept of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, as outlined in the New Testament, is a profound testament to the intricate and transcendent relationship between humanity and the divine. These gifts are not merely symbolic tokens; they are transformative powers that enable individuals to transcend their ordinary limitations and align themselves with a higher purpose. To truly grasp the magnitude of these gifts, one must delve into their biblical foundations and understand their psychological and spiritual implications. In 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, the Apostle Paul provides a detailed enumeration of these gifts: “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish betwee...

Anger

 In the heart, a tempest swirls, a fiery tide,  Anger roars, a tempest deep inside.  It burns like a wildfire, untamed and wild, A tempest of emotions, a storm compiled. Red-hot flashes, like lightning's fierce strike, In anger's grip, reason takes a hike. A raging sea, turbulent and vast, Anger's hold is strong, it won't be surpassed. But in this storm, there's a lesson to learn, To harness the tempest, to tame and discern. For anger, though fierce, can teach us the way, To grow, to evolve, to find a brighter day. So let it remind us, in its fiery dance, That anger, too, deserves a chance. To guide us toward a place of peace, Where anger's storm, one day, will cease.

Bible Verse for the day - 7th October 2023

  “Blessed are the eyes which see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.” Luke 10:17-24

"Inspiring Christian Defenders and Faith Leaders: Their Lives and Quotes"

 Title: "Inspiring Christian Defenders and Faith Leaders: Their Lives and Quotes" Introduction Throughout history, there have been remarkable individuals who have passionately defended the Christian faith and contributed to its growth and understanding. In this blog post, we'll introduce you to some of these inspiring Christian defenders and faith leaders, along with their most memorable quotes, shedding light on their contributions to the world of faith and spirituality. 1. John Lennox Memorable Quote: "Atheism is a worldview, and it takes a lot of faith to be an atheist." John Lennox is a mathematician, philosopher, and Christian apologist who has made significant contributions to the dialogue between science and faith. Through his debates with prominent atheists and his written works, Lennox encourages us to explore the harmony between science and Christianity. 2. Nabeel Qureshi Memorable Quote: "Seeking after truth and seeking after God were ultimately ...

The NCAT miracle

  I want to share with you a real story of someone I know.  I think his story is relevant nowadays because he truly believes that God had intervened in his case and it's so because it proves that the living God is present amongst us as  the Holy Spirit. My friend has been stressed out for these past months and I don't blame him.  He and his family were renting on a property for more than 10 years.  They then decided to move to another area and since moving out, something unexpected happened.  The landlord of the property he and his family was renting for more than 10 years, demanded that he pay for alleged damages to the property amounting to 13 thousand dollars like 3 months after they left the property. This left him in shock and disbelief as that amount is something that he can't just obtain and give for these allegations.  He tried to clarify on the reasons for the demand and they presented him with details of the alleged damages.  He assessed...

The 12 Apostles

  In these days he went out to the mountain to pray; and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called his disciples, and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles; Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. Luke 6:12-19

The Book of Job: Synopsis and Lessons

  The Book of Job is a part of the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. It is considered one of the most profound and challenging books in the Bible. The central character is Job, a wealthy and righteous man living in the land of Uz. He is known for his piety and devotion to God. Job's life takes a dramatic and tragic turn when Satan challenges his faithfulness. Satan suggests to God that Job's righteousness is a result of his prosperity and that he would curse God if he were to face suffering. God allows Satan to test Job's faith, but with the condition that he does not harm Job physically. Job's suffering begins with the loss of his wealth, his children, and his health. He is afflicted with painful sores and is left in misery. Throughout his ordeal, Job's friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, come to visit him and attempt to provide explanations for his suffering. They suggest that Job must have sinned grievously to warrant such punishment, u...

The miracle of God thru Oliver Anthony

  I am really in awe about how God is working through Oliver Anthony.  God be praised for all eternity.  God is alive and well.  All we need to do now is to really surrender to Him. Please take time to listen to this video. And below is a link of his newly hit song.

In Praise of Wisdom

1 All wisdom comes from the Lord and with him, it remains forever. 2 The sand of the sea, the drops of rain, the days of eternity—who can count them? 3 The height of heaven, the breadth of the earth, the abyss, and wisdom—who can search them out? 4 Wisdom was created before all other things,  and prudent understanding from eternity. 5 The root of wisdom—to whom has it been revealed? Her subtleties—who knows them? 6 There is but one who is wise, greatly to be feared, seated upon his throne—the Lord. 7 It is he who created her; he saw her and took her measure; he poured her out upon all his works, 8 upon all the living according to his gift; he lavished her upon those who love him. 9 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; she is created with the faithful in the womb. 10 With the godly she was created from of old, and with their descendants, she will keep faith. - Sirach 1: 1-10 -------------------------------------------- Persons we consider as the most intelligent amongst ...

When Death Gives Birth To Life ....

 

Father, I am sorry

  I am sorry that it had to be me But I had to stand up for my mother whom you have wronged I looked up to both of you as my pillars and as my models So it hurt me inside to be your opposition More than twenty years have passed since she was gone It still hurts inside that we lost both of you that year Her to the sickness they called myelofibrosis You, to your new found bitch and your new family TBH, we felt betrayed and abandoned I felt betrayed and abandoned Not just by you but by your kindred But this life is not about me This is about knowing Jesus and following him That is why I have chosen the path of forgiveness Only through Jesus, we'll be whole again Only through Him that we can begin fixing what is broken Forgive me dad, for I have rebelled If there was another way, I would have taken it But there was none, so what happened was inevitable I forgive you too, for betraying your wife, my  mother I think she has forgiven you too up in heaven Wished life could be have bee...

The differences between the Christian denominations

 This is a great video by a Youtuber named Redeemed_Zoomer differentiating the different Christian denominations in just 12 minutes.  Please see the video below:

Bible verse for today, 21st of August 2023 - Come and Follow Jesus

  "And behold, one came up to him, saying, 'Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?' And he said to him, 'Why do you ask me about what is good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.' He said to him, 'Which?' And Jesus said, 'You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' The young man said to him, 'All these I have observed; what do I still lack?' Jesus said to him, 'If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.'" Matthew 19:16-22

The Ballad of a Mother's Heart by Jose Villa Tierra

  The Ballad of a Mother's Heart by Jose Villa Tierra The night was dark, For the moon was young, And the Stars were asleep and rare, The clouds were thick, Yet Youth went out, To see his Maiden fair. Dear one, he pleaded as he knelt before her feet in tears. My love is true, Why you have kept me waiting all this years? The maiden looked at him. Unmoved it seemed, And whispered low. Persistent Youth, You have to prove by deeds, Your love is true. "There's not a thing I would not do for you, Beloved" said he. "Then, go." said she. "To your mother dear, And bring her heart to me. Without another word, Youth left and went to his mother dear. He opened her breast and took her heart! But he did not shed a tear. Then back to his Maiden fair, He run unmindful of the rain. But his feet slipped, And he fell down, And loud, he groaned with pain! Still in his hand he held the prize, That would win his Maiden's hands. But he thought of his mother dear, So kind,...

Bible verse for the day, August 16, 2023

  ''Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.'” Matthew 18:15-20

Bible verse for the day, August 15, 2023

  “'My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.'" Luke 1:39-56

Bible verse for the day, 12th of August 2023 - The Mustard Seed

  Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.” Matthew 17:14-20

Bible verse for the day, 11th of August 2023 - Take up your cross and follow me

  Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life?" Matthew 16:24-28 I'm finding a lot of good stuff  in the most unexpected of places nowadays. In Tiktok of all places but I am also happy that at least God's presence is also felt in places where it is foolishness that gets a lot of views and is popular. There's a group of Christian Tiktokers which mentioned about this but in slightly different way.  They said that notice how opposite God's and the devil's directions are.  The devil's way is very attractive to everyone and is easy and is practical but in the end it eventually leads to death and suffering.   Imagine a young guy or girl wanting to enjoy their yo...

Bible Verse for the day, 10th of August 2023 - Unless a grain of wheat falls

  Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If any one serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there shall my servant be also; if any one serves me, the Father will honor him. John 12:24-26 I am your humble servant oh Lord God Jesus Christ.  Without you I am nothing but a piece of dirt.  I only find meaning and value in you.  Praise be Your Name forever.  

Bible verse for the day, 9th August 2023

  But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And he answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly. Matthew 15:21-28

Bible verse for the day, 8th August 2023 - Jesus walks on water

  After he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out for fear. But immediately he spoke to them, saying, “Take heart, it is I; have no fear.” Matthew 14:22-36 Not sure if you have already watched a series called the Chosen but if you haven't yet I do recommend that you do.  It is free to view in their The Chosen app.  They did a very marvelous portrayal of Jesus and of the chosen people that were with Him during His time on Earth.  Before, watching the chosen, I have had a hardened heart, filled with anger and hate and it was difficult for me to cry.  After watching the Chosen, I don't know...

Bible verse for the day, 7th August 2023 - The 5 loaves and 2 fishes

  When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a lonely place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass; and taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.  Matthew 14:13-21 You'd probably already seen this but there's this short video in Tiktok or Reels where a guy begins talking about a ball and how it is worth in his hands and how it would be more valuable in an NBA superstar's hand.  He follows up with how a football will be worth only $15 in his hands but it will be worth millions in a Peyton Manning's hands.   A slingshot in our hands would...

The problem with going to Australia via the Student Visa

 I have to write about this because as a lot of Filipinos are being led astray by migration agencies in the Philippines.  They are all being encouraged to get the student visa as a way to come to Australia and some of them make it unclear that a student visa doesn't usually lead eventually to the permanent resident visa.  I repeat, getting a student visa is not a sure fire way for you to eventually get the permanent resident visa and it takes you to a very costly path. Back in 2009, I was able to secure my permanent resident visa while working in the Philippines since I graduated in 2000.  Yes, you heard me right, I obtained a permanent resident visa while working locally in the Philippines since I graduated from a university there in the Philippines. And I never went through an agency. I just read the Australian migration website, got a few pointers from some of my colleagues that did the same,  and processed it on my own.  Saved my half the price if I wen...

Bible verse for the day, 6th August 2023 - The transfiguration

  And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain apart. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is well that we are here; if you wish, I will make three booths here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking, when lo, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”  Matthew 17:1-9 It describes an event known as the Transfiguration of Jesus, which is considered a significant and mystical event in Christianity. In this passage, Jesus takes three of his disciples, Peter, James, and John, up a high mountain separately from the other disciples. Once on the mountain, something extraordinary happens. Jesus undergoes a transfiguratio...

Bible Verse for the day, 4th August 2023 - Jesus Preaches in His Hometown

  And coming to his own country he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?” And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.” And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief. Matthew 13:54-58 It depicts a scene where Jesus returns to his hometown, Nazareth, and begins teaching in the local synagogue. The people in the synagogue are astonished by Jesus' teachings and the miracles he performs. However, their amazement quickly turns into skepticism and doubt. They question how someone they have known as the son of a carpenter, and whose family they are familiar with, could possess such profou...

Bible Verse for the day - 3rd August 2023

   And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” Matthew 13:47-53

Bible Verse for the day - 2nd August 2023 : The Kingdom of Heaven is like hidden treasure

  The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Matthew 13:44-46

Bible verse for the day, 1st of August 2023: The wheat and the weed

  “He who sows the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world, and the good seed means the sons of the kingdom; the weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the close of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the close of the age."   Matthew 13:36-43 Most of us probably fail to realize that there will be a second coming of Jesus Christ and this time it is for the separation of the weed from the wheat and not anymore for mercy and love but for judgment.  Jesus Christ had sown the seed by becoming flesh and dwelt among us.  He had shown us the true meaning of obedience, love and forgiveness.  He had told us the truth, He had shown us the way and He had proven that there is only life in Him. Oh how I long for the second coming. Oh how I long to see Jesus Christ triumph in the end.  We all should repent from our ways while God is giv...