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.