Reflection # 12 (Enduring Church)

The Philippine drama often feature the protagonist as one who is expected to suffer all challenges to the point of giving up or defeated by the enemy. This picture comes to mind while learning towards the end of our study is Church History this semester. I find this week to be really special and fascinating that I came to compare church history like the typical movie scene in the country. I have learned that like a drama Christianity has been through a lot in all ages. So many figures in history tired to stop it. So many martyrs fought for it. There were even compromises.The church has been through a lot. In addition, I have learned also that in behalf all the power, human efforts, teachings, persecution, etc., Christianity endured. And yes, like a movie that glued our eyes to the screen, the events of church history unfolded with victory. It is proven with solid evidences that our faith indeed is enduring. And I believe that someday when the end comes, Jesus and His church will achieve all victory. That victory is sweeter than what anyone could feel when their favorite actor finally reached a happy ending. That victory is for eternity and to be attacked no more.

I realized that Christian faith's essence remained the same. The church has an enduring spirit which was never quenched by any opposing power. If it endured this long, why not to the end? It gives hope that what we hold on to is true. The work of Jesus still resonate two thousand years after He came. Somewhere in my Christian walk I was worried about those false religion deceiving many. I was worried about the eternal destiny of those who have gone astray. I worried about the true church being overtaken. Now, I know I should not. Yes I should care but to worry about being defeated by the power of darkness, I should not.

So what now? I shall cease worrying about the future of the church. I shall stop thinking that Islam is growing faster and might overthrow Christianity because it is proven in history that God is empowering His church so that it still exist today. Instead, I will work and continue to be faithful in serving God. In that way, I will be a useful tool in propagating the truth of what we believe about God, His word and the church.

Reflection # 11 (Use Me)

 Sometimes it may sound irrational or make believe when we hear stories of simple/ unexpected people doing great things in life. Sometimes the discrimination and indifference went ahead so that often times a critical eye missed brilliant reality of the ways of God. Sometimes we thought that the stories told in the Bible about God using simple people who accomplished great tasks were just stories and somehow a lofty aim. Sometimes we look at our selves only to look away because we feel so intimidated with our dreams that seemed so big and impossible. It makes me wonder about our faith. What happened to us? Are we going to just read about the lives of other people and would not even dare to hope that maybe somewhere somehow we could achieve something out of ordinary? These wondering kept bugging my head. Why do we tend to be amazed with the greatness of God and other people without expecting or desiring to be great ourselves? Is it because of our culture or upbringing? Is it because of our past failures that wounded our pride so that we sheltered ourselves forever? So why am I saying this? It's because I was listening to the report and my mind drifted to the thought that really impressed me this week. I have learned or rather relearn that God can use people with limitations for greater things. Just like Charles Spurgeon. He was poor, uneducated, etc. Yet, he was called the “Prince of Preachers”. God sees beyond our physical appearance and our academic background. That is what I have learned and realized this week.

So what? Is this applicable to me? Of course. I often feel the deep conviction that God wants to use me but my insecurities would often overtake me that it choke every ounce of courage I have. So in application I am giving my heart, mind and skills to God. NO matter how big or small they are. I'm giving it to God and if He calls me to do something with those little abilities,t hen I will obey and trust Him that He will equip me wherever HE sends me.  Just like the song "Potter's Hand" I am giving my life to the Potter to be molded, to be used, guided, corrected, lead, etc. I pray that I will be able to see past myself and see the hands of God. 

Reflection # 10 (Love RCC)

We are in a country dominated by Roman Catholics. This truth is related to the lessons that I’ve learned this week and is a pressing concern for us Christians. This week I have learned that the blind faith of the Roman Catholics was deeply rooted in the past when its founders and leaders did their best to keep their interest. That’s why it is no wonder that the adherents of the RCC today are hard to convert and hard to uproot from what they believe in. I’ve learned also that in order to minister to them, we must be careful in studying their history, reaching them in love in order not to alienate them. 

As I think of it, yes, it’s true that we are dominated by Roman Catholics. In fact, almost all of us are sprouts from that faith. I can’t remember not ever being associated with its follower. All my life there has always been Roman Catholics. Now, I wonder if I was a successful witness to them for Christ when I was born again. Then, I know that I lacked the creativity and consistency in reaching them. I should work harder. It was so bad that when I became a Christian, I could remember having debates attacking the fallacies of their religion rather than extending the love of Jesus to them. Until now I’m still associated with Roman Catholics. In fact, some of y siblings are Roman Catholics. 

So what now? Knowing all these in my Church History class, it compels me to be a better witness. From now on forward, I will be more friendly to the Roman Catholics I know. I will also share the victories I have in Jesus in order to encourage them to be curious about my faith. I will also correspond to them more regularly. Instead of showing my inward descrimination of what they believe, I will show respect to their faith. This will take a lot of effort but I know that I must be done. So help me God!

Reflection # 9 (God uses People)

This week's lessons brought to mind the verse, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building” (1 Cor. 3:6-9 , NIV). That verse is in connection with the first lesson that I have highlighted for this week. It is said that Luther who hatched the egg Erasmus has laid. As common people think they believe that Luther did all of it and overlooked the fact that someone else prepared the way for him. Second, I have learned that God always raises someone to do His work. He raised amazing people like John Calvin and many more in order to carry out the task that God has in mind.

Thinking to myself, I realized that God uses people and sometimes He uses people to lay the foundation , to sustain or to finish. In all this, the work a person does should not discourage him because it is a vital contribution to the whole work. I also realized that even the godly and intelligent have dirty works. I know I have done a lot of mistakes as I serve the Lord and knowing how God used even the imperfect pepe in the past is an encouragement to keep on. That doesn't mean that I should continue sinning but that I should pursue to grow while in service.

Out of these lessons learned and reflected thoughts I will be faithful in the task that God has set before me. My faith should not be passive. I will be an instrument of God wherever He puts me. 

Hungry! (Reflection # 8)

This week was filled with learning about more amazing people in the past who were instrumental in shaping Christianity throughout the history. With the heavy load of biographies I have learned so many things. One of that is a quote from John Wycliffe which resonated his whole life, “To be ignorant of Scripture is to be ignorant of Christ”. Most people, if not all, know about how John Wycliffe's life and passion were used by God so that people of different ages could enjoy reading the Bible in language they understood. We are all inspired of how he passionately appealed to people in all walks of life that the Bible is and should be our only source for the rule of Christian living. And of course this week I have learned about John Calvin. I really admire this person and uphold highly his teachings. Aside from the doctrines that I've learned about him I also like what he said that, “As God's creation, he was put to earth to glorify God”. I have learned from his life that work is a calling from God, therefore, one glorifies God in his work by working diligently and joyfully.

Lately, I have been experiencing discomfort within me. I could feel it in my heart, a knocking conscience. I have to admit that I have been feeding myself less of God's word. For some reasons I allowed myself to wander away and get occupied with many other insignificant things. I have distanced myself from the bread that so satisfies. I still read my bible but the passion towards understanding the applying it was different. I know I have to go back to my old beautiful habit of spending time reading and meditating God's word. This week I felt reminded of a hunger I used to have and I long to be in that depth of communion once more. That's what I have reflected from Wycliffe's. As for my realization in the life of Calvin, I have come to evaluate my heart towards work. And I am thankful that I am working for people who makes me feel happy with my work. Indeed, serving God is done through faithfully doing my task and doing it with a cheerful countenance.

So how do I apply these wonderful lessons that I have acquired? Thankfully, I am now gearing toward faithfully reading and meditating God's word. I am back to my regular quite time. I feel so good about it because God is refreshing my hunger for Him. I am hungry for the bread of life! And because work is a calling from God, I will love my work in school and in ministry even more. I will do my best quality work for the glory of God.  

Reflection # 7- Passion!

Learning more of the early church fathers just keep on amazing me. Indeed, to follow their footsteps is a lofty goal. Gratefulness and awe of what they have done filled me. This week the two of the outstanding lessons that I have learned goes around the lives of three great men in the past. First, I have learned that if you love what you are doing, you will never get tired of it. That is a lesson learned from Saint John Chrysostom. He said that, “Preaching improves me. When I begin to speak , weakness disappears, when I begin to teach, fatigue too disappears”. That speaks volume of passion for the task that he felt called to do in his lifetime. The second lesson that I have learned is about the greatness of God's grace. If we look at the life of Saint Jerome and Augustine, it is very evident that indeed, God's grace is transformative. God's grace could turn a person from a total mess to a changed person who would make a great impact to the world. These two Fathers experienced what it was like to go after the lust of this world and they too have concluded that God is more satisfying. Though their plight was never easy for there was a constant battle deep within, yet they triumphed because of God's wonderful grace.

Lately, I have been doing a spiritual check-up. I found out that somewhere in the journey I have been complacent with my faith and pursuit for excellence. I felt exhausted and dislike of my tasks. As I ponder about it, I figured out that my sins has hindered me in having a rich fellowship with God. I realized that I have wandered and I should return to my first love. I also realized that because of my inner struggle, I tend to be stingy in making margins for other people. I get irritated and insensitive towards other people. I am in a battle.

The lessons that I have learned came just perfect in time. So in application, I started to read my Bible again early in the morning just before my life gets busy. I also started writing my journals and prayers. This way, I could keep track of my devotions and be encourage to draw more closer to God. I will also think others as better than me and respect them. In the ministry, I will be more passionate and will give my best to the task that God has given me. Hopefully, I will be able to redeem myself for the rest of my time here.

Reflection # 6

This weeks lesson was short and yet it was insightful. I especially like the topic because it was a biography of a figure in history that I really like, that prominent figure is Martin Luther. From him I have learned this quote, “Whatever I learn, I preach, whatever I preach, I printed”. The second lesson that I have learned was about the impact of St. Ambrose of Milan's preaching that it thoroughly affected St. Augustine. That was just amazing.

Having made several reflections already has brought me to wonder of what is there for me to ponder. Looking at Luther's life, I feel grateful for his courage to do what he ought to do. I was not really fond of writing what I have learned and so sometimes it went away with the wind. I was like throwing away so many treasures in the past. Now, I thought of it as foolishness. I realized that I am too far from what Luther said. I know that almost always I preach what I learn but often I don't write them down. I m always quick to share the new things that I have learned. As I age, I realized that I could have done better because now I know that my pen has more reliable memories. With regards to the second lesson that I have learned, I realized that indeed our faithfulness to the work that God has given us is important so that we will be a blessing to our hearers. We will never know that someone who is randomly listening to us will be change dramatically for the glory of God.

In application, I will start taking down notes of the things that I have learned from reading, listening or just random thoughts. In so doing, I will have a hard copy which I could look on to when a need arise. That will be my source of information. Secondly, I will do my best to be careful with my testimony and with my words in order to save my hearers.

Reflection # 5- Nothing New Under the Sun!

The past two sessions were series of continuation of the lectures on Church History. Among all the desirable knowledge to gain I chose two highlights of the things I have learned. One of that was the truth that God could use anybody in order to carry out His plan for the church. He used powerful emperors and even the worst enemies in order to preserve the church. Second, I have learned that really debates and arguments about doctrines is not something new for it existed way back centuries past. It seemed never ending. There were so many names to recall about difference in teachings and I could not name them all by memory alone and yet I could remember how many of them fought over the issues that we still struggle today. So really, there is nothing new under the sun!

As I think of it, I praise God for everything that He has done for His church. He used so many lives in order to carry out His will. I feel so thankful that in the same that He used real people in the past with flaws, He uses someone like me today. It is so humbling that God would place me in ministries when I feel so inadequate. Thinking that God could use people as His channel for the Gospel, I see that I could not really judge people and their task. I realized that God has a plan and He is in control. More so, I realized that never ending debates perhaps will never end until the return of Christ. I have been to some arguments before and I really wished I have more knowledge way back then. I wish I could have given better answers. But yeah, I cant. It's done. Because of the lessons this week I have a new admiration for those who have given their lives for the sake of protecting the church doctrine against false teachings.

In application, I will study well about the doctrines taught so that I will be able to give good answers that would help other people to find the truth. I will also read books that would help me learn even more of the faith we hold on to. Ultimately, I will allow God to use me in the ministry. I will be available for Him.  

Reflection #4

Reflection # 4 : The long Ride

This week has been a long journey of revisiting the history. I have learned or relearned various things. One of that is that Islam has been a minority compared to Christianity but then it has risen to power threatening Christianity with its zealous leaders and followers. However, the good thing about that is that no matter how threatening Islam was, it never conquered and will never overthrow Christianity. Faith leads on. The second lesson that I've learned is about yet another amazing man in Church History by the name of Cyprian. Cyprian has contributed so much because of his devotion to Christ. He was truly sacrificial in his faith.

Of the two highlighted learning, I asked myself, and I feel my head ache. Truly, the history of our faith has been so colorful and some kind of dramatic. It has gone through so many ups and downs. This week's lesson has encouraged me to be part of the great work of propagating the faith. I realized that I have not really thought of our Muslim brothers and sisters because for some reasons I have had my own biases towards them. But, yeah, they are people who are also in need of the Gospel. I realized that I have also few Muslim friends who are nice so I should stop stereotyping them. Out of the report of the life of Cyprian, I realized that truly, it is possible to live for Christ and die for Him as an honor. It takes a lot of commitment to the faith. I wonder at what point I am in terms of commitment.

In application, I will continue or make more steps to communicate with my Muslim friends and continually show to them the love of Jesus Christ by example. I will also pray for those who are persecuted because of their faith in Jesus and I will pray that they will live unoffended.

Reflection # 3 Keep On Believing

This week I have learned that the councils and creeds happened in the past for several reasons. It includes the goal to counter the threat of heresies, to clarify Christian core doctrines and to unify the statement of faith. The Second outstanding lesson that I have learned is that even the person who struggled so much of his sin could be a saint and a victorious child of God. That is Saint Augustine. With the two outstanding lessons that I have encountered this week, I have a lot of thinking to do. As I look closely at myself, I could identify with Saint Augustine trying to be more holy yet over and over been haunted for my weaknesses. I think I could not even go half of his struggle yet I don't have the measure of his courage to counter them by being open about it. I feel that I am not being vulnerable to others. I realized that sometimes I am ashamed to admit my weaknesses thinking that I am the worst of all and I would just rather tell it to Jesus. I also realized that indeed having an organized, simple, and strong statement of faith is very important as a Christian.. I haven't really thought of it in the past. I feel the need to develop it now. I should know what I believe.

So how do I apply this? What I have in mind is to find a trusted person whom I could be vulnerable to. I will be more open to others because it is part of achieving freedom. Besides there is nothing to worry about because it is already given that I am a sinner. Yet that should not hinder me from serving God. So even in my weaknesses I will continue serving in the ministry while trusting that someday I shall be made perfect. I will also start to memorize the doctrines I believe in and know them by heart so that I will be ready to answer others. Lastly, I will keep on believing!

Reflection #2 (No to Conformity)

This week the lesson has been filled with the ups and downs of the spread of the Gospel in the ancient world. The first truth I've learned is that even though sometimes it is hard to accept history, it cannot be altered. It has to be taken as it is. There are truths that we uncover from history that we would rather not talk about. One of the example of that is how the Christians in the past have compromised. I have been one who's so naive about how the early believers have compromised some just to be at peace with the rest of the world around them. The Second lesson learned is that the progress of the gospel was amazing and dramatic. God has used so many people to spread the gospel. He used the martyrs to contend for the faith. He even used the tremendous persecution of the church so people will come to know Jesus. The events that happened to the church was strategically used by God to bring about His purpose in making Himself known to the lost world.

Looking at myself, I have always tried to live well. Yet sometimes I tend to be complacent in being a light to the world. However, upon seeing the lives of the early church I realized that they have done so much so that the church thrived. It made me think of what can I contribute to the vast scope of world evangelization. I realzed that I should not expect of a trouble free life because the Bible does not guarantee that kind of life here on earth. I realized that I have along way to go and I have a task to fill in. Will I leave a commendable legacy in the Christian faith? I have to change my perspective. I have to consider very carefully the impact of my life to the testimony of Christian faith. At the same time I also have to be confident that God is still at work in His church and He will accomplish what He wills. Just as He has done in the past.

In order to achieve what I wanted to change in my life, I will not compromise my faith. I will not be comfortable with the line “It's OK because everybody is doing it anyway”. I also have to forgive myself for failing and be merciful to those who have fallen. I will be faithful to God and to His Church.

Reflection #1

 Love for studying history has grown in me over the years and having this subject this semester is a good thing. Among the many things I have chosen two lessons that I've really come to think all through out the week. First, studying church history is valuable.Because if it's not, then we should not study this subject. We learn from church history how God's plan of redemption has been working out from the beginning. Through history we have the opportunity to see how God has protected and preserved His people. That is just amazing. Hstory demonstrate the truth of Christianity. For me, this is mind blowing. Without it, Christian theology remains in the head. Second, ignorance of church history has unwanted consequences. I believe that one of the consequences is poor knowledge of the richness of Church History. Ignorance of church history costs one's understanding that the Christian faith is historical and not just something new. Because of that there will be limitation in grasping how Christianity has thrived from then and now. If a person has not studied Christian history thoroughly, he will not be able to understand the roots of his faith. That limitation would eventually result to false assumption of what had happened in the past as well as ignorance in the works of the early Christians. He/she will miss the opportunity to be amazed on what God has done to His church and how He has sustained His people from the past up to the present. For me, that is just an awful lot of loses. Sadly, many Christians forfeit this privilege of education.

As I was sitting in class these two keeps ringing in my head. Though it was not a foreign concept to me, it was something I did not really take seriouly or religiously. I should dig down deeper of the historical Christianity we hold on to in order to save myself and my hearers from historical amnesia. Upon evaluation, I realized that I need to choose which path to take. Whether I would love history and take it seriously or miss my opportunity. My assessment is that I need to change the way I think about dates and people. They are important in history. Instead of thinking negatively, I think I should encourage myself that I can learn them. :)

 In application, I will read my books on church history faithfully. I will also share the information that I have learned to other people. During our chit chats in the dorm or outside the campus, I will share to others that learning church history is valuable. It should be fun learning history. Most of all, after my studies I pledge to continue learning about history because I know that I will also teach this someday when I'm in the ministry. So help me God!