As we continue our series on “Passing The Torch”, let us listen to God's word through the exposition of 2 Timothy 4:6-8 by Rev. Ferdinand de Leon on "Finishing Well."

Every heart has a vacuum that only God can satisfy. Even in relationships, humans can never be satisfied apart from God, like the Samaritan woman in John chapter 4, who goes from one relationship to another until she encounters the Saviour Jesus Christ. Jesus' words to her in John 4:13-14 are worth meditating on. Jesus said, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.”

Physical water will never give permanent satisfaction; it only causes temporal quenching. Here, we learn a more profound human need: the soul's satisfaction. No earthly things, pleasures, or relationships can provide permanent joy and satisfaction. Wealthy people will not deny this; the playboy and playgirl, I believe, can testify. See a child's toys or someone's new gadget. What happens after quite some time? The toys are stacked in the corner, while gadgets can be found everywhere, unlike when it was new.

No earthly things can satisfy the heart and provide permanent joy.  Only in Jesus will our soul's thirst be satisfied and contentment be found. Jesus talks about salvation, which the living water signified. It is about receiving eternal life by faith in Him and His finished work on the cross.

Why does receiving the gift of salvation provide permanent and eternal satisfaction? Nothing and no one can fill the vacuum in our hearts except God. Jesus is the true God and eternal life.

What describes your heart? Do you feel empty and dissatisfied despite the many things that you have? Or do you find joy and satisfaction knowing you already have Jesus Christ?

If you feel empty and find life meaningless, you can come to Jesus in confession of faith through prayer. Say, Jesus, you came into this world because you loved the world of sinners. You loved me. I admit I am a sinner, and I cannot save myself. I believe you died for my sins, were buried, and rose to life on the third day. Forgive me for all my sins, and I will turn away from them.

I open my heart to you. I invite you to come and be my Lord and Saviour. Thank you for the gift of eternal life, the gift of yourself, and I will never be spiritually thirsty again.

Amen.

Rev. Ferdinand de Leon sharing the second part of the series “Passing The Torch“ and lets learn on how to "Stand Strong" in God's grace based on 2 Timothy 2: 1-13. Be encouraged and inspired to love and worship the God of grace.

People are idealistic until they grow up facing their imperfections. To be idealistic is to be out of touch with reality. That's why frustrations and disappointments rise when expectations fail. 

This is the same with salvation. Trying to meet all the demands of righteous living will fail. Scripture says, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)." We are all sinners and will never meet the ideal, the 100% righteous demand of God's holiness and law. We fall short. We miss the mark.

Only One person did that: the Savior Jesus Christ. He is sinless and perfectly righteous. He met the 100% demands of God’s law. That’s why salvation is by faith in Him and His completed work of salvation. Only Jesus can save us and practically change us.

This is the righteousness that comes from God, apart from obedience to the law. We can only receive it by faith in the only Righteous One. 

Why work for what has already been accomplished by Jesus Christ? Have you put your trust in Him alone for salvation?

Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and raised to life so that every sinner who comes to Him by faith and repentance will be forgiven and will receive the gift of eternal life.

If you want to receive the gift of salvation, you can make a confession of faith from your heart in prayer. Say, Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Savior of the world. You came to die for our sins; you were buried and raised to life on the third day. I admit I am a sinner, and I cannot save myself. Forgive me for all my sins, and I will turn away from them. I open my heart to you and invite you to come and be my personal Lord and Saviour. Thank you for the gift of eternal life. Amen.

Rev. Ferdinand de Leon sharing the first part of the series “Passing The Torch“ and lets learn on how to "Renew your Passion" for the spread of the gospel and get ready to join the ranks of those faithful men and women of God who learn to pass on their faith to others.

We keep memories of the offenses of others. That’s why when brought up, we flare up. It is a memory file that is a trigger point of anger. The truth is, it is hard to be locked down with past hurts and remain vulnerable in this area. 

The antidote is to practice agape love. Scripture says in verse 5 of 1 Corinthians that love “keeps no record of wrongs.” This is amazing, love keeps no list of wrongs with the idea of not bringing a brother or sister in Christ to court in context. We can put up with one’s offense because we are willing to forgive. Love says, “I can put up with you because I am willing to forgive you.”

True forgiveness never denies the hurt that's been done, nor does it condone the wrongdoings, but it means you will not allow your heart to be ruled by anger, hatred, and bitterness that counting an offense eventually produces. Refusing to keep a list or record of wrongs clearly expresses that you have God’s love and experienced His total forgiveness.

Why is this important?

Keeping a list of wrongs burdens a heart with vulnerability to unnecessary evil and negative thoughts. It can be a way for the devil to set up traps to destroy lives and your relationships. Ultimately, we walk best and light when we keep no records of wrong through practicing constant forgiveness with wisdom of confrontation and not letting oneself get abused. 

The Lord Jesus Christ provided the ultimate example of this type of love. On His death on the cross, He paid the price for the entire world's sins. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Jesus kept no record of wrongs; instead, He prayed in Luke 23:34, “Father, forgive them.”

Let’s reflect for a moment:

Are you keeping list of offences or wrongdoings done to you? What difference would it make if you practice true forgiveness, so you always walk light? Since true forgiveness does not mean being a punching bag, how would you confront and adjust in dealings with a repeated offender?

May the Lord fill you with His love so you can keep no record of wrong through constant forgiveness. Amen.

Rev. Ferdinand de Leon sharing the last part of the series “ Pure Love”. Let us listen to God's word on based on Matthew 5:43-45 and learn “How To Love Your Enemy”. Discover why we should and its good benefits.

Express your faith through love, for you are under God's grace. God’s word in Galatians 5:6 says, “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”

Salvation is not based on any religious rituals and works. However, running a good race of faith does not give immunity from a strong temptation to return to work for it. But if you are really born by the Spirit, you will not be easily persuaded to abandon your walk of faith by God’s grace. 

As righteous in Christ, you “will live by faith from first to last” (Romans 1:17). 

We do not work for salvation; Christ has already accomplished that for us. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. A real born-again believer is indwelt by the Spirit who pours love into our hearts. We will become patient, kind, contented, humble, meek, self-controlled, forgiving, sincere, hopeful, persevering, and all the qualities of Christ’s love.

If one professes faith in Jesus but always expresses uncontrollable anger, roughness of behavior, hatred, and bitterness, either we live by the sinful nature or are not really in the faith. But if we are saved by grace through faith, we will change and our expression of it is agape love.

Let's reflect: Do you still succumb to working for your salvation despite knowing that Jesus did it all for you? Do your faith profession and expression through love go hand in hand? Or do people see an unloving and ungodly expression?

May the Lord’s Spirit enable you to live by faith and express it through agape love.

Amen.

Let us listen to God's word as Rev. Ferdinand de Leon preaches on "Praying The Lord’s Way” based on Matthew 6:9-13. Let’s be encouraged and empowered in our prayer life.

Have you been hurt by someone you trusted but betrayed you? Or, vice versa, have you hurt someone by your selfish agenda? To love is to be vulnerable is true. And it is better to be hurt by sincere or genuine love, for it is beneficial. The words of God in Romans 12:9a are worth meditating on, “Love must be sincere” or “Let love be Genuine.”

Love sincerely by hating evil and clinging to what is good.

Somebody wrote, "Love with hypocrisy is an oxymoron and is not real love at all." True love should not wear a mask but should be genuine, sincere, and unaffected. God-like love is sincere or genuine. Nothing seems real in a world where people can hide their motives and true emotions and put on a mask. But people with God's love are authentic; they are the real deal, and there is no room for pretense,and they always choose what they know is right.

Love sincerely by having the courage to choose what you know to be right. 

In a Christian movie, I still remember a family man of love and resolve who managed to find a job. Because of his love for his family, he works hard to provide for them. But his biggest test came when his Boss called him into the office. They will have a big contraband of goods and choose him to take care of it. He needs time to decide. 

He was in a pressure cooker. He is torn between his love and care for his family and the illegal activity against his conviction of truth. But he knew what was right and had the courage to choose what he knew to be right, even losing his job. His love for God prevails. He came to the office and told them his decision to resign so that he would not sin against God. He later found out it was a test. He passed the test and got promoted.

How are you showing love to others? Is your conviction of truth being challenged to decide on what is right? 

Love sincerely or genuinely, and God will bless you.

May you love sincerely by having the courage to choose what you know to be right and be blessed by God. Amen.