HOLY WEEK 5

 The Word of the Lord saying, "I thirst," is a sentence that we must deeply feel. It's not only because the Lord was physically thirsty for water due to enduring the intense heat of the sun for almost 6 hours while carrying the heavy cross, causing Him to lose much water from His body. He was literally thirsty for water, but simultaneously, there was another profound thirst in His heart that we must acknowledge and understand—our genuine love for Him with all our heart, strength, soul, and mind. He is so thirsty for our true love for Him, first of all, and above all else. As our Creator, it's His right to command and demand.

-Apostle Renato D. Carillo

HOLY WEEK 4

 When the Lord Jesus Christ was nailed on the cross, His first statement was forgiveness. He didn't just say, "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do," but He also became a Mediator for those who killed Him. The Lord appealed to God the Father on their behalf.

I don't know how deep the pain in your heart is, or how long it has been there. The one who caused it may have already died, or may still be alive, but is that suffering greater than what the Lord Jesus Christ endured?

Today, ask God to give you the strength to forgive those who have sinned against you and to forget the sins committed against you by anyone.

-Apostle Renato D. Carillo

HOLY WEEK 3

 In Luke 23:39-43, is the interaction of Jesus Christ with two criminals who were also being crucified alongside him. One of the criminals mocked Jesus, saying that if he truly was the Christ, he should save himself and them as well. However, the other criminal rebuked the first, acknowledging their own guilt but recognizing Jesus' innocence. He then asked Jesus to remember him when he entered his kingdom. Jesus responded to this repentant criminal, assuring him that he would indeed be with Him in paradise that very day, indicating forgiveness and salvation for those who truly repent and turn to Him.

The first reason why the other criminal was immediately saved is that he confessed that he was a sinner. That's why our salvation lies in the confession of our sins, not in hiding, justifying them, or attempting to cover them up. His humility became the pathway to his salvation. This is the first thing we must understand: the sinner was saved because he humbled himself and confessed that he was a sinner.

-Apostle Renato D. Carillo

HOLY WEEK 2

 While we might not face the same fears or hard realities that early disciples of Christ lived with, we still have our lists of “costs” that come with our decision to follow Him. 

Following Jesus wholeheartedly means we are putting Him first in all things; the way we love and serve others, the way we use the gifts and resources He gives, and the way we accept the sufferings and pains we endure. And that can be a lot easier said than done.

But like the disciples, we realize that all of these temporary costs pale in comparison to what awaits us in a life lived for our Savior. And that our amazement of Him, getting a chance to share that with others in every area of our lives, is the greatest treasure we could ever have.

HOLY WEEK 1

 𝑳𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑰𝒏 𝑺𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔

𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗢𝗡𝗘: 𝗖𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱

𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁:

Jesus knew in advance He was going to be crucified, yet nobody had to drag him to His death. He went willingly.

𝑳𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑰𝒏 𝑺𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔

𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗧𝗪𝗢: 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁:

The crucified, bloody ragdoll of a man, with eyes swollen shut, is, in fact, the King of the Jews....the King of all there is.

𝑳𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑰𝒏 𝑺𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔

𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗘𝗘: 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀

Jesus was willing to be stripped bare, so that we might be covered in His forgiveness and love.

𝑳𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑰𝒏 𝑺𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔

𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗙𝗢𝗨𝗥: 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻

Through Christ crucified, anyone can approach God. The way is open, and God invites you in.

𝑳𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑰𝒏 𝑺𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔

𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗙𝗜𝗩𝗘: 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻

Jesus is the ultimate Gardener. Only He can take our barren hearts and turn them into verdant places bursting with life.

𝑳𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑰𝒏 𝑺𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔

𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗦𝗜𝗫: 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗻

Because Christ is risen, we have ultimate hope. Death isn't the end; life gets the last word.

𝑳𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑰𝒏 𝑺𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔

𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗦𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡: 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻

More than charts and timelines, we need hearts that love Him, anticipate His coming, and long to see others come to know Him.

ctto: Our Daily Bread Ministries

ALDRIN CABRERA

 Isa sa revelation narinig ko kay Tatay hindi inalis ng Lord sa apoy si Sedrac, Mesiac, Abednego pero sinamahan niya para magovercome.

Same kay Daniel di niya inalis ang mga Leon pero pinadala niya Anghel para ingatan siya. 

Si Jesus di inalis ng Lord ang cross pero sinamahan siya ng Lord na matapos ang cross.

Ganun din sa buhay natin minsan may mga pagsubok na gusto natin ipatanggal sa Lord pero gusto ng Lord na iovercome natin ito na kasama siya matuto tayo kumapit sa kanya lalo pag wala na tayo makapitan.♥️

11 Hindi ko sinasabi ito dahil sa kayo'y pinaghahanapan ko ng tulong. Natutunan ko nang masiyahan, maging anuman ang aking kalagayan.

12 Alam ko kung paano maghikahos; alam ko rin kung paano managana; natutunan ko na ang sikreto kung paano masiyahan sa anumang kalagayan sa buhay, ang mabusog o ang magutom, ang managana o ang maghirap.

13 Ang lahat ng ito'y magagawa ko dahil sa lakas na kaloob sa akin ni Cristo.

- FILIPOS 4:11-13 MBBTAG

Kaya huwag tayo lumayo sa Lord pag may pagsubok lalo tayo lumapit dahil bibigyan niya tayo lakas na magtagumpay.

Pag lalo tayo lumayo sa Lord pag may problema tayo mas delikado dahil vulnerable tayo sa kaaway di tayo matutulungan maiingatan ng Lord.

FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS

 The first Christmas was very UNLIKELY!

It was about an unlikely MESSIAH, born in an unlikely MANGER, who brought an unlikely MESSAGE (Luke 2:1-21) ✨

Messiah - how unlikely for the Savior, King of Kings and Lord of Lords to come to this earth not as a great ruler or a mighty warrior but as a vulnerable baby from a young, poor betrothed, adolescent couple. He was clothed not in a robe, but wrapped in swaddling cloths. The Lord entered humanity in the humblest form to live as a sinless servant. 

Manger - how unlikely that our Messiah didn’t get the best lodging with the best amenities. Instead, he was born most probably in a cave that served as a barn, put in a manger—a place where animals were fed. He was laid not in the best crib but on the ground, in a dirty dug-out. The same scene that would take place upon His eventual death where He would be wrapped in linen and buried in the ground for three days. 

Message - how unlikely that the message that came with this birth is good news, not just for the family, but to all humanity because through him, there would be salvation. Through him, there will be mercy, peace, and joy. This message was revealed to the least expected people, the shepherds who were the lowliest of society and the magi who were gentile wise men, who ended up praising & worshipping God. 

All these point to the unlikely message that this Messiah was born to die for us. Christianity from the onset was meant to be unlikely. 

From our family to yours,

may you have an unlikely Christmas! ✝️