“Christmas Day”

(Charles Wesley)

     If we're not given this topic I wouldn't know that the known Christmas song “Hark the Herald” was written by Charles Wesley and is actually entitled, “Christmas Day”. This song is very common to people who celebrate or witness Christmas. It actually was mixed with other worldly songs, forgetting the true essence of this song or the meaning it wants to tell.

     Honestly, I always sing this song every Christmas but without even reading the whole song and see it's real meaning. The was clearly written with a joyful heart, by Charles Wesley, even though knowing that he lived through the era when Christianity struggled with Rationalism. This song shows his devotion and love for Jesus Christ. He used his talent to show the people that Christ is not just from a mystic tale, but the true God who humbled Himself to save us from our sins, that's why we celebrate and remember always his humble way to be born here on earth.

     “Mild, he lays his glory by; Born, that man no more may die, Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth,” this is my favorite part of this song. Charles clearly presented how Jesus loves us to the point of making Himself less even to the extent of dying just for our sake. I'm really glad I had a chance to read this whole song. God truly used Charles Wesley for His glory and to speak to all men not just before but even until now.

“Personal Devotion”

(Reflection From: Pietistic)

     We really can't deny that pietistic revival was very successful in teaching and helping men to remain in their faith in God in the time when Rationalism rose. It encouraged men to have personal relationship with God, not just with own knowledge but by reading the Scripture daily and daily prayer. God is really good because He used some men to stress the importance of personal relationship to Him, especially in that crucial time.

     Our time nowadays is not different from before, it is even worse, because it is not just rationalism which is present in this times but also many more established ideas that are being practiced by so many people which encourages to deny God and the Scripture. This is why I believe that being pietistic must be practiced always, not just because of the false beliefs that surround us and the threat they bring, but because this is what a believer must have, a personal relationship with God. Even as we look at the Scripture, it teaches us and commands us to study God's Word day and night and meditating on it (Ps. 1:2) and to pray continually (1 Thess. 5:17). This only tells us that pietistic lifestyle is not just a movement created by men, it is commanded by God even from the

     Therefore, as a church leader I would really value and practice the pietistic way of life personally and also stress it to the members of the church. I will explain how it was developed and what does the Scripture tells about it and calls it as what it is called right now, “personal devotion”.

“Can't be Refused”

Reflection: The Happenings at Cana

     I really appreciate how the Catholics show their faith and respect to whom they call, “Our Lady” or whom we all know as Mary. Personally, I really appreciate the character of Mary, specially her obedience and devotion to do the will of God. I agree to them that Mary showed sensitivity at the happenings in Cana, but I think other people also can. Thinking that this happening in the Scripture would really support their belief and teachings about Mary, they cling into this and treat this as one of their Biblical foundation. However they made it, I can say that they somehow succeed, particularly inside their church or in the Roman Catholic world.

     Now, this teaching really did an impact to their belief and as what we can see, although they deny it always, they call to Mary more often than Jesus Christ. This is because they interpret that the happenings in Cana showed that Jesus Christ can't refuse all of Mary's request, His Mother, maybe forgetting to look back at the passage where Jesus Christ called Mary, “Woman” instead of “Mother” just like how the Roman.

     Wherever Catholic Church we go, we really can notice how they honor Mary that when an outsider came in would really mistakenly believe that Mary is higher than Jesus Christ judging to what their pictures and images show. They even have a special prayer for her the ,”Ave Maria”, I don't actually memorize this, but it clearly showed how they have faith in her to listen to her prayers, forgetting that she was just a human and was used by God to conceive Jesus Christ. I was able once to have a conversation about this with a Catholic girl. She said that they all honor Mary and saints, maybe just honor Mary more. Well, personally, I can't see their differences besides of the fact that God used them differently, but now I think it is because of their belief in the happenings in Cana, where they believe that Mary is much closer to Jesus Christ than the other disciples or apostle, and because she's the Mother of Jesus, she can't be refused.

The Faith that Impacts

     It is so interesting to know how some people really seek for the truth. For how many years of

practicing what they believed, God moved in their hearts to find the truth. It is also amazing how

they cling to what they believe in. For sure it is not that easy, what’s easy for them is to deny their

faith, at least they have been doing it for how many years and I really thank God for their lives

because of them I know what I believe is true, and right now I have the freedom to worship God.

     For now, I 'm sure that many of them don't see the results of those thirty being Martyred, but

one thing is for sure, they really made an impact in many lives, including mine. It

made me realize that God indeed is so faithful both to them and to me, because they have been an

instrument and I have now enjoyed the benefit of their work.

My Mighty Fortress Indeed

Reflection: Song My Mighty Fortress Indeed

In God truly I can find rest, and only in His arms I can find peace. The world I'm living in right now is full of troubles but I know that my God is always able. He is able to help me, and able to guide me, able to strengthen me and able to correct my mistakes, these are the reason I must make myself able always to glorify Him.

I may encounter mountains in life but I know that I can't but I can. This was the message that really did hit me. I can't by my own strength but I can with God's help, because He is my mighty fortress. Looking back what I already had gone through, all the failures and success in life I can't help it but give glory to God. I cannot boast, because I know and sure that I can't but I can.

As l continually living here on this dark world, all I need to desire is Him: to glorify Him, to worship Him, and to serve Him. Maybe there are still many mountains, bigger mountains I may climb, I will not be afraid because all I need to do is trust in God, my Mighty Fortress.

The Pope's Visit

Reflection: Pope Francis' Visit in the Philippines

     As most Born Again Christians do, I also don't agree to Pope’s visit maybe because I don't believe in the authority of the Papacy and their teachings that contradict the Word of God. Looking at the media I can see how the people really ready everything even themselves for the arrival of the pope. This does not matter to me much, I know Filipinos are really hospitable but what concerns me is their belief why they prepare that much. It is because they believe that the Pope is holy just like God. They even treat him as a god even though they tried to deny it. Even President Aquino acknowledges the Pope's visit as maybe an end to the calamities just like typhoons here in our country, this shows that they believe that the Pope is powerful then this belief leads them to equal the Pope with God which is really a big lie.

     Wherever the Pope would have his visit, it is really expected to witness many people, or a very huge amount of crowd that always leads to stampede. As the Pope's visit is fast approaching, I just pray that may the people see the glory of God and not the Pope's glory which looks like impossible but I believe that with God all things are possible. I always wonder what if one Pope will be converted into evangelical Christianity, how the Roman Catholics would react! Maybe it would be very wonderful or a danger.

     Maybe I really cannot stop the visit of the Pope here in the Philippines, but I can do something, and that is to pray. If God would give me chance I can also evangelize not against the Pope but

share the truth that leads men to God.

The Result of Revenge and Greediness

Reflection: Crusade

     A Crusade for me is kind of ministry or just like the idea of Evangelical crusade, but I never thought that it could also involve killing, and the worst part is killing in God's name. It is my very first time to know that one time in history, the church was involved in killing many lives, led by the popes. I was very shocked and sad upon knowing this. Because of revenge, they were able to do this, even to the extent of using children in these crusades. I also learned that the Popes were behind this massacre a.k.a. Crusades. It is because of revenge but most of all is because of greediness for power. They also let the princes be killed in the battles because they let their wills to be in favor of the church. I know that sadly churches also have many injustices but this kind is very horrible.

     Now I'm really convinced that revenge and greediness for power can take you in doing even the vilest thing here on earth. That's why I must always look in myself and evaluate. Am I holding grudges against a person? or Am I consumed with hunger for power? Because if I am, I'll better ask God for help to change.

     To be aware of myself, first is that I must pursue a deeper relationship with God, or more intimate relationship with Him so that I will not be self-centered. I will also try my best not hold any grudge but to let go of my hurts and forgive and of course ask forgiveness too, this way I know it won't just do me good but it will also bring glory to God's Name, not shed blood using His Name.

Humbleness

Reflection: Pope Gregory 1

For how many years I had bad views for ALL the bishops of Roman Catholics, but as I know

Pope Gregory I, my view changed. It is my first time to encounter this kind of pope. A pope who

denies the claims of all popes specially nowadays concerning the one supreme bishop or his

authority over all other bishops. His arguments: All bishops are equal. Although his teachings are

still against the doctrine of the church because of their claim as being successors of Peter, this

shows that there are bishops who are humble and not greedy for power. I also just learned how the

bishops, the example of Pope Leo III, are greedy for power not just over the churches not even

over the states. As Pope Leo already is full of confidence and maybe excitement because of the

crowning of Charlemagne, but as his hope almost reached its maximum when Charlemagne

decided to act on his own and not wanting any dictatorial authority over him , including bishops.

Although the mentioned pope gained great influence he didn't succeed in controlling the whole

state. This only shows how God works in preserving the church.

Pope Gregory I and Pope Leo III really contradict each other. One had a heart full of greediness

of power while the other one had a heart of a servant. This teaches me that humbleness is really

important as God's minister. In fact, His incarnation shows how humble our God is and how He

also wants me to be humble. I'm sure Pope Gregory became a successful bishop not because of his

teachings but by how he lived his life with humbleness. Pope Leo on the other hand didn't succeed

with his prideful plan because God doesn't allow prideful people to prosper. Although not easy, I

will really do my best with God's help to be humble.

Jesus Christ's incarnation is the perfect example of humbleness, but I know that man can't

actually do this. So in order for me to be humble is of course first I will always acknowledge that

without God I am nothing, so no reason for me to be proud. Then I will ask somebody who will be

my accountability partner to remind me every time I become prideful. Then prayer will really be

necessary. Every time I encounter instances that would test my humbleness, I will always think of

Jesus Christ's incarnation and what Pope Gregory I did.

The Choice is Ours

Reflection: Roman Catholicism

         As the church progressed, many wrong teachings also surfaced. I just know that there were so

many heresies during those times of our history even until today. But knowing how small the

resources they had were, how else did the church survive had it not been for God's help? Once

again, God's mighty hands could clearly be seen in the history of the church.

        I also learned that because of prideful attitudes, selfish desires and forged documents, the

Roman Catholicism had experienced tremendous growth. I was shocked to realize this but the result

of it is not shocking anymore.

       As I think about this, I am reminded that God really gave us freedom. He gave us the truth but

it is up to us whether we respond to that truth or not. As for myself, I learned that I should always

follow what God wants me to do and the truth that He offers. I must be careful with the things that

are false and is not from God or even against God.

      To do these, first of course I will ask God's help, because I know that without God, I will be a

failure. Next, I will always evaluate my decisions using His Words, the Bible. Then I will not just

follow God's truth but also teach them to others so that they won't be blinded by the heresies

nowadays or the teachings that came from selfish desires.