Jane Cooks

Unfortunately, words of injustice sometimes are listened to more often than words of wisdom. Why? Possibly because they appeal to our self-interest or unrecognized prejudices. Words of wisdom and justice can make us uncomfortable or afraid. Usually, fear comes from ignorance and there are many who will take advantage of this. One summer I worked for a firm that went house to house and street to street to develop a city directory. This was done about every ten years so that the city could better plan for its citizens. One of the men hired was basically homeless, living in a shelter but determined to make a better life for himself. I was proud to work for a company that would not discriminate against him just because of his circumstances. How many times have we seen people work for increased opportunities for those who have mobility issues, and then are shot down because it might affect the taxes. Why should someone in a wheelchair not have access to public sidewalks and buildings? All of us who claim Jesus as our leader also vow to follow his law of love. Love speaks wisdom and justice for all. In his first letter, St. John tells us that perfect love casts out fear. If ignorance is a cause for fear, than I guess, getting to know one another better is the beginning of love. It makes me wonder how many people do we consider friends who are of a different culture, a different race, or who speak a different language. If we isolate ourselves, we will never develop an understanding of how much we are alike, and can be tricked into thinking that we are somehow threatened by the "other." May we all grow in knowledge so that we may speak words of wisdom and be seen by our God as one of the righteous.

All of the earth belongs to God its Creator, and all of the bounty it contains also belongs to him. We can enjoy earthly blessings as believers, knowing they fall from the hand of God to us. While spiritual blessings are of greater value, God gives us earthly blessings to enjoy as well.

February 2.2

Celebrate the Noise: Ang Mga Bata sa Loob ng Simbahan

Minsan sa church, may umiiyak na baby. May batang tumatakbo. May sumisigaw sa gitna ng sermon. Nakaka-distract—oo. Nakakapagod—totoo.

Pero baka mali ang tinitingnan natin.

Ang ingay ng mga bata sa simbahan ay hindi abala; patunay ito na may buhay ang iglesia.

Kapag may bata sa church, may next in line na mananampalataya. Hindi lang sila bisita—sila ang hinaharap.

Baka ang batang iyak ngayon, bukas ay tinig na mangangaral. Baka ang malikot ngayon, siya ang susunod na missionary, pastor, o leader na gagamitin ng Diyos.

Hindi kailanman ininis ni Jesus ang mga bata.

Sa halip, sinabi Niya:
“Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:14, ESV)

At higit pa roon:
“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.” (Matthew 18:5, ESV)

Kaya sa halip na mainis, magdiwang tayo. Ang ingay ng bata sa church ay tunog ng pag-asa. Ang simbahan na walang bata ay tahimik—pero ang simbahan na may bata ay may kinabukasan.

Christ has fulfilled the Law, keeping it perfectly while he walks the earth. His righteous life becomes the basis of our justification, through faith, before God. Everyone who believes has an interest in his blood shed on the cross. Everyone who confesses, as it were, his sins and reaches out his hand to place it on the Lamb of God, has his guilt borne by him and receives his righteousness from him.

Even as the Holy Spirit raises up the body of Jesus from the grave, so will He raise up the bodies of all believers who have died. God will not leave the work of redemption incomplete, but will raise up and change even our bodies. He will give us a new body fit for life in his everlasting Kingdom.

While we can use the things of this world, of this earthly existence, we must not trust in them. We must not set our affections and hopes on them, for they are passing away. The whole "fashion" of this world is going to change, so that the next world will be radically different from it. We should be focusing on the things that will last into the next world and forever.

Healthy White Mais Kain na Ta🥰

Choose Christ
Choose Life 🙏