God's Minute

Heroes

pastorarnel — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:27:48 +0000

But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

— Matthew 6:3–4

We hear the word “hero” thrown around a lot today. If a person is a great athlete, adept at a certain sport, we will call him or her a sports hero. There is a computer game called “Guitar Hero.” And then there is the sandwich we call a hero. We hear the word used a lot. But do we even know what it means? It seems to me that in our culture we have many celebrities, but very few heroes.

A hero is a person who does something selfless, something sacrificial. A hero is someone who puts the needs of others above his or her own. Sometimes heroes are known in their own lifetime for their achievements. Then there are times people are called heroes long after they are gone. In this case, we sometimes call them unsung heroes, because we didn’t realize how heroic they were until after some time had passed. The stand they took wasn’t the popular thing to do at the time, but in retrospect, we realize they were heroic—they really were doing the right thing when no one else was.

Unsung heroes are sometimes wives and at other times are husbands. Sometimes they are children. But more often they are parents. Unsung heroes can be teachers, coaches, uncles or aunts. Grandparents are automatically heroes in my book, unless they do something to mess that up. An unsung hero is someone who works behind the scenes and doesn’t care if another person gets the credit. Sometimes unsung heroes are sidekicks. Where would Sherlock Holmes be without the faithful Dr. Watson? Where would the Lone Ranger without Tonto?

There are a lot of unsung heroes who never get the credit. And though they may be unknown to us, they are completely known to God.

Peace and Joy

Jojo Carpio

Daily Offering

pastorarnel — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:26:52 +0000

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. ( Galatians 2:20 *NKJV )

This verse was written by the Apostle Paul, but it also applies to you and me as well. Now you are probably thinking how does that apply to me? Well in God’s eyes our past sin debt was paid in full when Christ died on the cross.
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Thus it is written; And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him,
having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. ( Colossians 2:13-14 )

Therefore we should also crucify our sinful desires each and every day. For then the marks against us in The Book of Life will continue to be cleansed by the most precious blood of our Savior Jesus Christ!

So if you are ever feeling unloved remember the tremendous sacrifice made, and the tremendous price paid for your sins! That is the greatest example of love that this World has ever known, and it is offered daily to you and me when we repent our sins. Amen.

All My Love & Prayers,
Jojo Carpio

Running to Win?

pastorarnel — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:25:26 +0000

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

— Hebrews 12:1–2

When people say they enjoy running, it makes no sense to me. I don’t enjoy any kind of exercise, but I do it—reluctantly and under protest. My favorite part of a workout is when it is done. I have met people who talk about a runner’s high, which, I am told, happens when endorphins are released. I have never experienced a runner’s high, but one little secret I have discovered is that I always seem to do better when there is someone watching, when there is someone cheering me on.

In the race of life, you are being watched by others who have gone before you, by those who have already run this race. We read in Hebrews 11 about the great men and women of God who served Him faithfully, and they are referred to as “so great a cloud of witnesses” in Hebrews 12:1. Another version puts it this way: “Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins”.

The idea is that you keep running. When I look at the lives of some believers I knew when I first came to Christ, it is sad to see the mess they have made of their lives through wrong choices and by getting sidetracked. Then I can think of others who started their race without much promise, but they are doing very well today. So it is not enough to start well. We need to finish well too.

Keep running. Look to Jesus as the one you are running for. He is watching you. He is urging you on. Are you running to win?

Peace and Joy

Jojo Carpio

Give Thanks…in Everything

pastorarnel — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:24:22 +0000

Sometimes, worship and thanksgiving can be a sacrifice. That may be because we are down or depressed or things aren’t going all that well for us. Maybe hardship or tragedy has struck our lives in some way and we don’t want to thank God.

Yet the Bible urges us to give thanks to the Lord. Psalm 106:1 says, “Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”

We are told in Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

And Hebrews 13:15 says, “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”

We are not told to give thanks to the Lord because we feel good; we are to give thanks to the Lord because He is good.

As we approach God to ask for new blessings, we should never forget to say thanks for the blessings already given. We should be just as definite in returning thanks as we are in requesting help.

But many times we aren’t. We are quick to ask for help, but we are slow in giving thanks.

Sometimes, this can be difficult, because we feel as though we have been dealt a bad hand in life or there are things that have happened to us that we don’t understand. But here is something we need to remember: “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

This verse doesn’t say give thanks in some things or in what you think are the good things. It says to give thanks in everything.

Now it is easy for me to give thanks when something wonderful happens to me. When something bad happens, however, I think, I won’t give thanks for that.

But I don’t know that we ever will fully know what was good or bad in our lives until much later. I would even suggest that what you think is a bad thing today may turn out to be a good thing tomorrow or down the road. And what you have thought of as a good thing may, in time, turn out to be a bad thing.

In the same way, God will take the events of our lives, the good things and the so-called bad things, and put them in the oven of adversity. When it is all done—sometimes much later—we will realize that it is good. What may seem bad today actually may be good tomorrow.

“We need to trust God.”

To give thanks, we must recognize that God is in control of all circumstances surrounding our lives. We must realize that God loves us and is always looking out for our eternal benefit, even if what we are presently going through is difficult.

We must remember that God is wiser than we are. He is always dealing with us for our best and eternal good. But sometimes, what is good for us eternally is not easy for us temporarily. God will make that decision and work in our lives.

There is so much to give thanks for. Have you been thanking God? Don’t wait until Thanksgiving Day. For the Christian, every day should be Thanksgiving.

May the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen (2 Corinthians 13:14)

Peace and Joy,

Jojo Carpio

What God Deserves?

pastorarnel — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:23:23 +0000

And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.

— Luke 17:15–16

I remember the first time I said, “Praise the Lord!” It seemed like a very awkward phrase to utter. All of my Christian friends would say it, and I thought, I am going to say that now. I consciously thought about it first. But I had a hard time getting it out. Once I did, it felt kind of good. So I said it again. It is a wonderful thing when “Praise the Lord” just flows from your lips.

In fact, that is what you were created to do. You were created to give glory to God. It is the highest use of your vocal chords, your mouth, and your lips. God wants to hear us give Him praise. We need to give God what He deserves, and that is glory. Psalm 29:2 tells us, “Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.”

Yet far too often we are like the 10 men who suffered with leprosy and called out loudly to Jesus for healing. He graciously heard their prayer and healed all of them of their dreaded disease. But only one returned to thank Him. Jesus said in response, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?” (Luke 17:17).

Often we are quick to ask God for help during times of crisis, but we are very slow to offer Him thanks after He intervenes on our behalf. In doing so, we are essentially telling Him, “Thanks, God. See you next crisis.” When those leprosy-stricken men saw Jesus, they cried out loudly for His touch. But only one came back to loudly thank Him (see Luke 17:15–16).

We should be as devoted in our praise to God as we are in crying out to Him for help.

Peace and Joy,

Jojo Carpio

Thanksgiving for Spiritual Blessings

pastorarnel — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:20:14 +0000

Thanksgiving for Spiritual Blessings “Nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all people life and breath and all things.” ~ (Acts 17:25)

Acts 17:25 attests that God himself gives life and breath to all people and ..all things. He gives us temporal blessings such as food, drink, and clothing: “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things” (Matthew 6:32). He gives us temporal blessings to sustain life: “So that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45).

To some he also gives spiritual blessings: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). “We received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God; that we might know the things that were freely given to us of God” (1 Corinthians 2:12). “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

Peter received a wonderful spiritual blessing when God revealed a great truth to him: “Simon Peter answered, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus said to him, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:16, 17).

Our heavenly Father gives us spiritual blessings so that he may have a special relationship with us, and we with him. He says: “And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me” (2 Corinthians 6:18). John tells us that we who have received God’s spiritual blessings are children of God (1 John 3:2). God, speaking of Israel as his children, says: “But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob, and he who formed you, O Israel, Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you” (Isaiah 43:1,2). Just as God provided for the temporal needs of the children of Israel, he provides for all of our spiritual needs. And for these, we should be thankful.

Peace and Joy,

Jojo Carpio

The Blessing of Giving

pastorarnel — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:18:58 +0000

“And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

— Acts 20:35

When you are very young, you are usually preoccupied with what you are getting for Christmas. But as you get older, you start learning the joy of giving, and you actually find that it is indeed more of a blessing to give than it is to receive.

We need to learn to be generous with everything that God has given to us. Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38). You can’t outgive God.

So let’s learn the joy of giving. Let’s learn the joy of giving of our time, our resources, our talents and abilities—whatever God has given to us. Some hoard what God has given them, not wanting to give, not understanding that as you give out, more is given to you: “The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself” (Proverbs 11:25).

It helps me when I can help you. It blesses me when I can bless you. And I will let you in on a little discovery I have made: I am probably more blessed giving than those who are receiving. If you apply that principle yourself, then you will learn a wonderful secret: the joy of giving in every area of your life. Have you discovered that secret yet? As Paul tells as Grace is Abound to those who give as their hearts determine. He says that God loves a cheerful giver and that God’s grace will abound on all who give freely. “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:7-8)

We don’t know how long we will live. But I believe that if we live each day as unto the Lord, then we won’t have to worry about the length of our lives. So make every day count. Don’t waste your life. Give out of what God has given you. Live your life well.

Peace and Joy,

Alfredo “Jojo” Carpio Jr.

Where Does My Courage Come From?

pastorarnel — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:17:43 +0000

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

— Hebrews 13: 5

Have you ever been discouraged? Are you facing discouragement right now? Have you ever felt as though your life were a failure? Have you been frightened about the future? Or do you feel that life is not fair?

Even the apostle Paul was discouraged at times. After he had spoken his final words to the elders at Ephesus, emphasizing that he wanted to finish his race well, he bid them an emotional goodbye. Then, while staying in Caesarea with Philip the evangelist, a prophet named Agabus wrapped his hands and feet in Paul’s belt and warned Paul that if he went to Jerusalem, the Jews would bind him and deliver him to the Gentiles (Acts 21:11).

But Paul went to Jerusalem, and just as Agabus had prophesied, he was indeed arrested and incarcerated. So there was Paul, sitting in prison—again. Trouble could have been Paul’s middle name. It was always something with the apostle, and he was discouraged. He was concerned about his future. The Bible tells us, “But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, ‘Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome’ ” (Acts 23:11). A better translation should be ” Be of Good Courage, Paul”.
This reminds us that God’s presence gives us courage. People will help us at times. People will encourage us at times. And God will work through people. But don’t look to people for answers. Look to God. Because ultimately it will come down this factor: God is with you. That is something you can be sure of.

As the Bible said “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31-6).

All For Jesus,

Jojo Carpio

An Expected End

pastorarnel — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:16:50 +0000

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

— Philippians 1:6

One of my favorite verses is Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” God spoke these words to the Israelites during their captivity in Babylon. They were discouraged and wondering if they ever would be free to worship God as they once had. So God spoke to them, effectively saying, “I have a future for you.” That word “future” could be translated as “a ground of hope or an expected end.”

Certainly we can apply this verse in principle to our own lives. God knows what we are going through right now, and He is thinking about us. Now if that verse simply said, “I know the single thought that I once had toward you,” I would be happy with that. Just knowing that the Almighty God, the Creator of the Universe, actually thought even for a moment about me would be enough.

But that is not what this verse says. Rather, God says, “I know the thoughts that I think. . . .” So God’s thoughts toward us are past, present, and future. How many thoughts would that be? Well, how high can you count? Psalm 40:5 says, “Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.” His thoughts toward us are infinite, and they are good.

You are a work in progress, and God is not done yet. There is going to be an outcome. There is going to be completion. And when life is a mess and you can’t sort it all out, God will pull it all together. He will work it all together for good.

In It to Win It

pastorarnel — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:16:02 +0000

But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

— Acts 20:24

The analogy of running was one the apostle Paul favored in his writings. He often compared the believer to a runner in a race. For example, he wrote that we need to run in the race of life to win: “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it” (1 Corinthians 9:24).

When I use to participate in a competitive sport, I have always try to win. That doesn’t mean I do. In fact, it seems like I lose most of the time. But at least I try, and I enjoy the competition. And when we are in the race of life, we need to run to win. When we watch athletes compete in the Olympics, we primarily celebrate those who win the gold. In the same way, we need to run the race to win—not to get second or third or fourth place or an honorable mention.

But in running to win, we also need to understand who our competitors are. I am not competing with you. I am not trying to beat you in the race of life. You are not trying to beat me. Our real enemies—our competitors, if you will—are the world, the flesh (self), and the devil. “For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world” (1 John 2:16). That is what we are trying to overcome.

I have my lane that I’m running in, which is the life that I have to live and the challenges that I have to face. And my job is to complete my race. You have your lane as well, with your unique challenges and goals.

But ultimately we all have the same goal of running for God and honoring and glorifying Him. And we must run to win. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen (2 Corinthians 13:14)

Peace and Joy,

Jojo carpio