Month: July 2020

IMPORTANCE OF MAN’S RELATIONSHIP TO THE FATHER (MATTHEW 10: 34-11: 1, JULY 13, 2020)

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

MATTHEW 10: 34-11: 1 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (JULY 13, 2020)

Do not think that I have come to establish peace on earth. I have not come  to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set man against his Father, and a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in – law. Each one will have as enemies, those of one’s own family.

Whoever loves more than Father and mother more than me, is not worthy of me. And whoever loves son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take up is cross and follow me, is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life, for my sake, will find it. 

Whoever welcomes you, welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes who sent me. The one who welcomes a prophet, as a prophet,  will receive the reward of a prophet; the one who welcomes a just man,because he is just man, will receive a reward of  just man. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to the one of these little ones, because he is my disciple, I assure you, he will not go unrewarded,” When Jesus had finish giving His twelve disciples these instructions, he went on from there, to teach and to proclaim his message in their towns. 

POINTS OF REFLECTION

Life is really a set of complicated things that oftentimes lead us into the wrong priorities.  Perhaps  life could be ordered in these priorities; God, self and family (closest neighbor), community. 

What is really ironic in this order of priorities is the twist that could happen anytime in the circumstance of life. Let’s say, an important gathering in the Christian community which runs counter to the birthday celebration of your father, mother or any member of the family  which opted you to choose in between the works of God and the family affairs. When you decide according to the herein stated priorities then, you will not be attending the family celebration instead proclaim the gospel of God in the community gathering. Though you pick a good choice, you could not deny the tendencies of indifference from your family. Grudges may craft up  and relationships at home may not be as good as it was. That is why Jesus said“I have not come  to bring peace, but a sword.” We know that the ways of God are not the same as the ways of man. Meaning giving in always to the demands of our family seeking favor against the works of evangelization would somehow make us unworthy unto Jesus. 

On the other side, this does not mean leaving our family unattended but encouraging them to join religious activities by accepting Jesus as our leading figure to attain the kingdom of God on the final day. In fact Jesus said “ pick up your cross and follow me.” Knowing one’s cross is important to follow God’s ways. Who knows, your  own family might be the cross for you to carry. 

Finally let us acknowledge that our relationship to God is very important and worth more than anything in this world. And remember that in  the process of fixing this relationship unto Him we need to carry our cross as Jesus carried his to save us all.

Views: 46

Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23, JULY 12, 2020)

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

MATTHEW 13: 1-23 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (JULY 12, 2020)

That same day, Jesus left the house and sat down by the lade-side. Many people gathered around him. So he got into the boat, and sat down, while the crowds stood on the shore; and he spoke to them in parables and about many things. Jesus said, “The sower went out to sow; and, as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path; and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where there was little soil, and the seeds sprouted quickly, because the soil was not deep. But as soon as the sun rose, the plants were scorched; and withered, because they had no roots. Again, other seeds fell among thistles; and the thistles grew and choked the plants. Still, other seeds fell on good soil and produced a crop: some a hundredfold, others sixty, and others thirty. If you have ears, then hear!”

Then the disciples came to him and said, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” Jesus answered, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the Kingdom of heaven, but not to these people. For the one who has will be given more; and he will have in abundance. But the one who does not have will be deprived of even what he has. That is why! Speak to them in parables; because they look and do not see; they are hear, you do not understand. In them, the words of the prophet Isaiah are fulfilled: However much you see, you do not perceive. For the heart of this people has grown dull. Their ears hardly hear and their eyes dare not see. If they were to see with their eyes, hear with their ears and understand with their heart, they would turn back, and I will heal them. But bless are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because the hear. For I tell you, many prophets and righteous people have longed to see the things you see, but they did not see them; and to hear the things you hear, but they did not hear them.

Now listen to the parable of the sower. When a person hears the message of the kingdom, but does not take it seriously, the devil comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed that fell along the footpath. The seed that fell on the rocky ground stands for the one who hears the word, and accepts it at once with joy. But such a person has no roots, and endures only for a while. No sooner is he harassed or persecuted because of the word, that he gives up. The seed that fell among the thistles is the one who hears the word; but then, the worries of this life and the love of money choke the word; and it does not bear fruit. As for the seed that fell on good soil, it is the one who hears the word and understands it; this seed bears fruit and produces a hundred, or sixty, or thirty times more.”

POINTS OF REFLECTION

The love and goodness of God is extremely wonderful and amazing. He has showered us all of His abundance without due regard to our sinfulness as He let rain fall and the sun shines  to all regardless of who we are.

The seeds in this Bible reading are the words of God about His kingdom in heaven. The different soil condition from which these seeds are to be sown represents the human heart which could be doubting (soil along the footpath), uncommitted (rocky ground),  worrying  (ground full of thistles) and committed (good soil) heart.

With no exemption, everyone’s heart could  be one of those mentioned above. If you possess a doubting heart, there exist greater tendencies that you be easily deceived by the works of evil thereby forgetting the good things received from the Father. If you possess an uncommitted heart you manifest quick tendencies to respond to God’s word but eventually lose faith appetite for some reason hard to understand which makes one complacent in his Christian living. If you possess a worrying heart your tendencies are too much attachment to the material world, love of money and fame. If you possess a committed  heart your tendencies are to listen to God’s word, understand it and be able to grow in faith significantly by committing oneself unto Jesus and to the Father.

Regardless of who we really are : doubting heart, uncommitted heart, worrying heart and committed heart, His love  and goodness to us will forever be non selective. He will always send down rains to all and let the sun shine to all  until the judgment day.

Views: 80

YOU HAVE CHOSEN ME

by Roger, posted in CFC SONGS 
YOU HAVE CHOSEN ME
Janry Ballesteros & Kimberly Faelnar

PLEASE HIT CLICK IMAGE TITLE TO PLAY...
 [Intro]
E B C#m A
 
[Verse]
 E
Mighty One I thank You for Your goodness
    B
Undying love that saved me from the darkness
          C#m                  A
You have chosen me, You have chosen me
 
 E
With Your Spirit, I will carry on
     B
To spread Your love to each and everyone
          C#m                  A
You have chosen me, you have chosen me
 
[Chorus]
E                              B
   Heighten my hearts desires    to serve You Lord
C#m                       A
    To use me as a vessel     of Your selfless love
E                              B
    Awaken Your spirit in me;     fill me with Your grace
          C#m
To bear a love like Yours
           A             B       E
To bring people back to Your embrace
 
[Bridge]
E B C#m A
 
[Verse]
 E
Mighty One I thank You for Your goodness
    B
Undying love that saved me from the darkness
          C#m                  A
You have chosen me, You have chosen me
 
 E
With Your Spirit, I will carry on
     B
To spread Your love to each and everyone
          C#m                  A
You have chosen me, you have chosen me
 
[Chorus]
E                              B
   Heighten my hearts desires    to serve You Lord
C#m                       A
    To use me as a vessel     of Your selfless love
E                              B
    Awaken Your spirit in me;     fill me with Your grace
          C#m
To bear a love like Yours
           A             B       E
To bring people back to Your embrace
 
[Instrumental]
C#m   A    B         B
C#m   E    F#m   A   B
 
[Chorus]
 
Transpose to key of F#
 
F#                              C#
    Heighten my hearts desires      to serve You Lord
D#m                        B
    To use me as a vessel     of Your selfless love
F#                            C#
    Awaken Your spirit in me;     fill me with Your grace
           D#m
To bear a love like Yours
          B              C#      F#
To bring people back to Your embrace

Views: 97

HEAVEN

by Roger, posted in CFC SONGS
HEAVEN
 Mike Serapio & Kirby Llaban

CLICK HEAVEN THUMBNAIL TO PLAY....



[Intro]
G    C     G/B    C     D
 
[Verse]
G                C     G/B
You died on the cross
            C     D      G
My life You saved at all cost
                  C
You showed me the way
    G/B
Now I offer myself to You
  C          D            C    D
I want to be with You evermore
 
[Chorus]
 G                   C
Lord, I wanna be in heaven with You
 G/B
Right by Your side I’ll stay
  C          D       G
Worshipping You all day
        C
I will live and die for You
   G/B                  C
Anything I will do, for heaven is
D          G
Here in my heart
 
[Bridge]
G
  Heaven is here
C
  Heaven is here
G/B
  Heaven is here
     C         D          G
For heaven is here in my heart

Views: 87

EMBRACE by Karlo Gion Gutierrez

by Roger, posted in CFC SONGS

EMBRACE

 by Karlo Gion Gutierrez

Click EMBRACE  LIVELOUD TO PLAY….

 

INTRO   Bm   A-G   D/F#   Bm-A-G
Bm   A-G   D/F#   Bm-A-G —-D

VERSE1
D                                   G
Here am I Lord, looking up to You
D                                                                  G
Unworthy of Your love but still You looked down on me

REFRAIN
Bm                               A                      G
You died on the cross while I’m forgiven
D/F#                A                     G        A
You are my God and I’m a sinner.. ooohh

CHORUS
D
Still You loved me Lord You are my saviour
A                                         Bm
I will be Your soldier, let me serve You
A                     G      A
Let me fight for Your love…    Let me embrace You

VERSE 2
D                                                   G
I feel blessed Lord, you showered me with grace
D                                              G
I shout joyful praise in awe to You

INSTRUMENTAL
D   A  Bm D/F#-B-A-G—D

BRIDGE(4x)
D
Almighty King I praise Your name
A
Greatest God, you are my Healer
Bm            A                   G
I will never be the same again

 

Views: 67

IMPORTANCE OF A LEADING FIGURE (MATTHEW 10:24-33; 7/11/ 2020)

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

MATTHEW 10:24-33 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (JULY 11, 2020)

A student is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. A student should be content to become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. The head of the household has been called Beelzebul, how much more, those of his household! 

So do not be afraid of them! There is nothing covered that will not be uncovered. There is nothing hidden that will not be made known. What I am telling you in the dark, you must not speak in the light. What you hear in private, proclaim from the housetops. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but have no power to kill the soul, rather, be afraid of him who can destroy both body and soul in hell.  For a few cents you can buy two sparrows. Yet not one sparrow falls on the ground without your Father knowing. As for you, every hair in your head has been counted. Do not be afraid: you are more than many sparrows!

Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will acknowledge before my Father in heaven. Whoever rejects me before others, I will reject before my Father in heaven. 

POINTS OF REFLECTION

Life is uncertain in the absence of a leading figure. All would be in negativity. The bigger picture of life is a choice between the life in light and life in darkness. A life in the light is a life with Jesus and his disciples united in the Christian community unto the Father. On the other hand, life in the dark is a life with Beelzebub’s sneaky disciples behind worldly tendencies, excesses and vices unto Satan.

It is indeed very important for all of us to know who our leading figure is. Having chosen our leading figure, shun us away from the pitfalls of destruction. As Jesus had told us in this Bible reading “A student is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master” urges us to pick a rightful leading figure which is equivalent to a teacher or a master in this context. Jesus emphasizes the lesson to learn by saying “a slave is not above his master and would be content and happy to become like his master.” By saying this, He means that being his followers, we are only to do what he had told us to do through the world of the Father as written in the Bible. Doing more than what God has not required would put us into the royal court in heaven in front of the Father with Jesus as the counsel subject for judgment. However, there will be no case for those who strictly follow His laws and do His works. This embodies very important limitations for a man  to qualify in Heaven.  

While it is truly impossible for us to assess every member of the family, organization and community, we are told to quickly determine all of them by just merely keeping an eye to their leaders as He said “If the head of the household has been called Beelzebul, how much more, those of his household!” Leader roughly tells us the qualities of his member.

Yes! life today is all about knowing the people around us claiming to be friends. But because of the works of the social media platforms; many are counting friends even without knowing them until something happens unexpectedly. Jesus reminded us to be careful to those who are hiding in darkness because what is hidden is not worthy to be in the light. Be suspicious about those who stay away from the open for they are keeping something undesirable which could become dangerous to us or to many. Hence, Jesus added what you learn from the dark let it be known in the light and shout it on the housetop. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but have no power to kill the soul.  For God values us more than anything else in this world as He said “the Father did not even allow a single sparrow falling without His knowledge and as for man, your hairs are counted and remember you are more than sparrow”

Views: 57

MATTHEW 10:16-23 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (JULY 10, 2020)

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

Look, I send you out like sheep among wolves. You must be as clever as snakes and as innocent as doves. Be on your guard with people, for they will hand you over to their courts, and they will flog you in their synagogues. You will be brought to trial before rulers and kings because of me, so that you may witness to them and the pagans. But when you are arrested, do not worry about what you are to say, or how you are to say it; when the hours comes, you will be given what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father, speaking through you.

Brother will hand over his brother to death, and a father his child; children will turn against their parents and have them put to death. Everyone will hate you because of me, but whoever stands firm to the end will  be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. I tell you the truth, you will not have passed through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 

POINTS OF REFLECTION

The work of evangelization is not easy. As Christ disciples, we assumed a sheep personality that is humble and meek in character while proclaiming the gospel to the people in the community. Today’s community is difficult to evangelize because their values, beliefs and practices are getting away from that of the values prescribed in the teaching of the Bible.  Worst many of them even doubted the existence of God because of so much attention to the worldly tendencies and desire that deliberately drag them into the ways of darkness. 

 Religious communities nowadays face a tremendous challenge of persecution like what happens to the faithful in some other countries of the world where Christian communities are harassed and dehumanized because of their faith unto Jesus. 

Brothers and sisters, acts such as persecutions and the like should never be made a basis for desperation for God has promised to be with those who are experiencing hatred and persecution. Protection is with them every time and anywhere  as Devine worker. Our love, faith and complete trust to the lord serve as our shield and  helmet of salvation. 

Views: 59

GOD IS JUST A PRAYER AWAY

by Roger, posted in Positivity

A. CIRCUMSTANCES

Sleep paralysis. A sleep disorder that lets you dream of something dreadful and your body won’t respond the way you want it to. Alyssa has suffered sleep paralysis for God knows how many years. As she grows older, those terrifying dreams become more vivid than before. 

B. STORY RESOLUTION

A face as white as paper and full of blood, staring at her. The face was smiling from ear to ear while staring at Alyssa. She tried to move her body but as what she expected, she couldn’t move! Her heartbeat is increasing and her fear is growing as the smiling face comes closer and closer, until it is centimeters away from her.

She abruptly opened her eyes. Alyssa sat up from her bed and clenched her chest. One day she would die from a heart attack! She looked at the clock. It was 3 am. She sighed and calmed herself and she browsed her phone. She needed to badly calm down. Her heartbeat was erratic. The horrifying face left a terrifying impression on her. 

She didn’t sleep anymore and kept on staring at the screen. Alyssa fought the sleepiness because she was afraid that the sleep paralysis would come back. Alyssa wasn’t a religious person but her family was. It wasn’t that she didn’t believe, but rather, she’s too lazy to improve her relationship with God. 

Alyssa’s family is Catholic. Most of the time, they pray without Alyssa. 

The sun finally rose, Alyssa stood up from her bed and got readied for school. As she was walking towards school, she suddenly remembered the horrid face of the woman in her dreams. She began to shiver and she quickly blanked out her mind. 

At class time, Alyssa’s chin was held by her right hand while she was looking outside the window. Then she saw a woman covered in blood, walking towards the classroom. Horrified, she quickly gathered her things and ran towards home. 

“Honey, why the rush?” Her mother asked her. She looked at her mother then at the window. The bloodied woman was getting closer!

“Mom! There’s a bloodied woman following me! I’m scared!” Alyssa said as tears came streaming down her face. 

Her mother embraced her. “Oh dear. Pray to God and the woman will disappear. You just need devotion to God.”

As if hearing a miracle, Alyssa quickly prayed.

Then there was a knock heard from their front door. Alyssa looked at the window and saw the woman. 

“Mom don’t open the door, it’s her!” 

“It’s okay sweetie. Let’s just pray.” 

Both mother and daughter continued to pray until the knocking was gone. 

“See honey? All we need is God.”

C. REALIZATION

When you are afraid of some things, all you need is to pray for God and He will lead the way. 

Views: 68

MATTHEW 10:7-15 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (JULY 9, 2020)

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

MATTHEW 10:7-15 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (JULY 9, 2020)

Go and proclaim the message: The kingdom of heaven is near. Heal the sick, bring the dead back to life, cleanse the lepers, and drive out demons.  Freely have you received, freely give.

Do not carry any gold or silver or money in your purses. Do not take a traveling bag, or extra shirt, or sandals, or a walking stick: workers deserve to be compensated. When you come to a town or a village, look for a worthy person, and stay there until you leave. When you enter the house, wish it peace. If the people are worthy people, your peace will rest on them; if they are not worthy people, your blessing will come back to you. And if you are not welcomed, and your words are not listened to, leave that house or that town, and shake the dust off your feet. I assure you, it will go easier for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah on the Day of Judgment, than it will for the people of that town.  

POINTS OF REFLECTION

One of the most important Christian responsibilities was the work of evangelization. When we talk about evangelization, this is not only limited to the few who become  authority figure because of their deep knowledge of God’s laws and words but included as well ordinary Christian of this time  who by its way of life became a living witness of God’s presence in their own lives. 

Long before, evangelical works was oftentimes a form of home visitation wherein there was a sense of God’s penetration among home, families or people lives. For the host, the evangelizer could be disturbances which may opted them to say no if their lives were too busy. Doing in the same is not better in the eye of God for evangelizers come with the Holy Spirit who might invade into our homes or into our lives. Note that the consequence, as Jesus had said “it will be easier to the people of Sodom and Gomorrah on the Day of Judgment, than it will for the people of that town” Negligence of God’s presence by way of  evangelizers pose a danger of eternal fire.    

Our experience as evangelizers is not that easy as one person thinks. In fact, we are deeply saddened because God has already given His initial judgment to those who despised the worker of God. Furthermore, Jesus said” When you enter the house, wish it peace. If the people are worthy people. Your peace will rest on them; if they are not worthy people, your blessing will come back to you.” In this particular line, Jesus promises a good offer when the evangelizer falls into unbelieving people saying that the blessing for the unworthy will come back to them. This is also an anchor verse why all of us are greatly encouraged to pray for our enemy or those who are considered as unworthy for what they have prayed for will be given to  those who  prayed for the unworthy.

In general, finding difficulty in praying those who are unworthy would mean poor in the blessings of God for much of His blessings bounce back in abundance from  the wall of the  unworthy.  

 

 

 

 

 

Views: 55

MATTHEW 10: 1-7 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (JULY 8, 2020)

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

Jesus called his twelve disciples to him , and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out, and to heal every disease and sickness.

These are the names of the twelve Apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew, the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon, the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, the man who would betray him.

Jesus sent these twelve on mission, with the instruction: “Do not visit pagan territory and do not enter a Samaritan town. Go, instead, to the lost sheep of the people of Israel. Go, and proclaim this message: The kingdom of heaven is near.

POINTS OF REFLECTION

Being a unique and wonderful creation of God is expected to have also our calling of authority over many things of the world. In fact in this Bible reading, Jesus clearly said that as His disciple, we have authority over unclean spirits, drive  demons  away  and heal every kind of diseases and sickness.

Looking backward, the mentioned authority was more of magical powers from which disciples were doing out of their faith as Jesus had taught them. How about taking these things into present perspective? Could we still claim this authority most especially in this trying time that we are in now? Brothers and sisters, it seems that men were not able to enjoy this authority since the day of global pandemic. Since the onset of  quarantine measures, man’s religious functions were denied in exchange for health safety. With COVID man’s authority was taken, adversely affecting the existing world order. The scenario seems to be a complete opposite, of God’s mandate over us to have authority over the things on earth. After all, life after death is precious and important to be able to enjoin unto the Father in Heaven.

What God has set brothers and sisters will remain until the ends of the world. This global pandemic should not contain us instead, we will contain it and continue to triumph with God’s promise of authority. These things will happen very soon not the way like some two thousand years ago but rather in another way as God continue to bliss those who are task to study and work for the containment of this novel coronavirus.  After all God’s promise and plan is not reputable.

In totality, brothers and sisters, God always takes all authority on earth. And Being His sons and daughters, His authority is with us till the ends of time secured by the quality of faith while doing His works and proclaiming His words.

Views: 65