JRM Sydney Podcast

I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circum- cised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.

ROMANS 15:8–9

God’s gifts are precious beyond words, and we will sing of them forever. But the most precious gifts you can think of are not ends in themselves. They all lead to God himself. Ultimately, that is what all his gifts are for.

Oh, that God would waken our hearts to our deep need for mercy as a sinner! And then ravish our hearts with a great Savior, Jesus Christ. And then release our tongue to praise him and our hands to make his mercy shine in ours and others.

How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? JOHN 5:44

If there is a longing in your heart this Advent for something that the world has not been able to satisfy, might not this longing be God’s Christmas gift preparing you to see Christ as consolation and redemption and to receive him for who he really is?

How is the heart prepared to receive Christ for who he really is? It is very simple.

The coming of Jesus was a search-and-save mission. “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)

The word advent means “coming.” In this season of the year, we focus on the meaning of the coming of the Son of God into the world. And the spirit of our celebration should be the spirit in which he came. And the spirit of that coming is summed up in Luke 19:10

Jesus came into the world at the first Advent, and every Advent since is a reminder of his continual advent into more and more lives. And that advent is, in fact, our advent—our coming, our moving into the lives of those around us and into the peoples of the world. 

This is the famous question Jesus asked Peter, James, and John, after they fell asleep in the Garden of Gethsemane: “Could you not tarry one hour?” (Matt. 26:40; Mark 14:37). Jesus could rightfully ask this of us, His twenty-first century disciples. In our busy-ed life, we often push aside prayer when we’re pressed for time. But just like the disciples, we stand to lose an intimate connection with Jesus and an enlightened eternal perspective.

But God reminds us of the supreme value of being with Him and the superior height of His thoughts. In times of tarrying, God holds our gaze. And fuels our prayers. And give us His perspective. We receive directions in areas that could have been blocked for months. Most of all, our hearts are lifted and refocused by spending time with the Lord.

In this podcast exhort, listen to 7 keys for effective tarrying times with God.

The Greek word for tarry is grégoréo, and it means to be vigilant; to be responsible. A Christian who is vigilant and responsible in prayer is vigilant and responsible in life. Let's not neglect our Tarrying time together.

I guess most of us are often intrigued by the Holy Spirit. Like moths, we are attracted to the warmth and the light of His flame. Our desire is to come closer . . . to draw nearer, to know Him more fully and intimately, to enter into new and stimulating dimensions of His workings . . . without getting burned. I know that is true of me, and I suspect you often feel the same.

This month, we are entering a new series in our church called "Living in the Spirit", but a life in the Spirit (the Christian way) is not possible without knowing and encountering the source of that power. So, let's get reacquainted with the Holy Spirit. 

Welcome to 2022! This year, we are carrying the theme: Changing Seasons, UNCHANGING GOD. There is an old hymns that says:
"On Christ the Solid Rock, I stand. All other ground is sinking sand."
Together let's continue to stand secure on the ever stable, steady and firm foundation; the Solid Rock - JESUS CHRIST.
Knowing that our God is IMMUTABLE (unchanging) should give us Comfort, Confidence, Courage and Conviction as we go forward and upward in this new year!

The famous Christmas song "Silent Night" is one of our favourite hymns of Christmas. But was it really a silent night? There were heaps of shepherds and spectators that could have been at the site of the manger when the shepherds broke the news that the Messiah was born. Plus the sound of the animals where Jesus was born. I am pretty sure Jesus as a baby also cried like a baby and we can all say it is not a silent night when a baby cries. But Mary has a "silent night" not because the surroundings are quiet, but because she has learned the art of being still before God and pondering and treasuring up what matters most in her heart. May we have the same response this Christmas. Amidst the chaos and the commotions of many Christmas demands, may we have a moment of prayer, worship and silence just to think on Jesus... to thank Jesus and to love on Him as we treasure Him in our hearts. 

Luke 2:16-21

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

Father and daughter tandem, Bro Jobve and Sofia shares today's Christmas devotional. Happiness is different from JOY. Happiness depends on happenings.. like this Christmas season, there are many happenings around us. But JOY is a wellspring of peach and wholeness that only comes from the source of it - non-other than JESUS! Let's listen in...

John 15:9-11
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

"The Son of God became a human so that humans can become sons of God". This is the purpose of Christmas. When God became flesh, it was for us know that He understands and went through every pain and struggle that is humanly relateable. God became fles so we who are in the flesh can draw near to God. Let's join the Francia family in today's Christmas devotion.

John 1:14

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Love cannot be unexpressed. It has to always be poured out for it to truly be love. For God so loved the world that he gave.. God communicated His love for us through the incarnated Word - His only begotten Son.. our Saviour... Sis Terry shares today's devotional. Let's lean in and be blessed.

John 1:1-2, 14

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

There is no one else who lived in history whose birthday has been celebrated every year by literally the whole world! Jesus is still the most famous man who ever walked on earth. Even the way we determine time and date in our history is divided by His birth and death. (B.C. and A.D.). And it's because He is the ultimate history-maker. History is His story! And His birth was the climax of the long-awaited fulfilment of the old testament prophecies. Oh, what great news! Oh, what a glorious joy to the world that the Lord has come! Let;s join the Alfonso family for today;s devotional sharing. 

Luke 2:8-18

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

When the Wisemen arrived at the manger and found the baby wrapped in strips of cloth, they couldn't help but to bow down and lavishly offer Him gifts to honour Him. What a picture of extravagant worship this is... Let's continue to be in awe and liek the wisement be found worshipping the Lord this Christmas season.

Matthew 2:9-12
9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Let us hear it from the Mardo Family as they share the joyous news of the angels to the shepherds that night that Christ was born. Of all the people, why the shepherds? They were looked down on by people, despised, and discriminated back then. Look how God works in countercultural ways! In all places why Bethlehem? Why a manger? Why Mary? Why Joseph? God often uses the weak things of the world to shame the strong. Let's dive in.

Luke 2:10-12

10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Bro JayR shares today's devotional. The Christmas history bears many revelatory truths. If our hearts are open and we are willing to rediscover its wonders we will find a treasury o JOY, HOPE and PEACE. O Come Let us Adore Him!!!

Acts 17:26-27

26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.

Hope. The overarching theme of the Christmas story is one of overwhelming expectation for a Savior to be born. Living in a backward village in northern Israel was a young virgin, Mary, maybe no more than fourteen or fifteen years old. Known to virtually no one outside her town, Mary was favored by God to carry His incarnate Son into the world. Shocking news, for sure. Yet rather than doubt or question, Mary trusted in the omniscient God who chose to use a relative nobody to bring Him glory. Let's join Sis Mylyn in today's devotional sharing.

Luke 1:26-38

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Christmas is a time of giving indeed. But it was never meant to be contained to the Christmas time alone. It was meant to be the beginning of revolutionary concept of giving. Giving to the unworthy and the undeserving, yes, even to our "enemies". Giving and Forgiving. The greatest gift of all was given on that night in Bethlehem not to a world deserving or a people worthy of it. What makes Christmas so amazing is that the Greatest Gift was given to a people who did not even believe. Today, let's hear it from the Manalang Family.

Luke 1:42-45

42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Christmas was indeed a Divine Initiative. It was in God's heart since the fall of man to rescue the world and He knew as well that only His only begotten Son can fulfil that mission. Prophesied through the ages, the faithful watchmen awaited until Christ, our Saviour was born in a lowly manger. Let's continue to worship our King as the Aguilar family leads us in today's devotional.

Isaiah 9:2-7 NIV

2 The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
3 You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
when dividing the plunder.
4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.
5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.

We continue in our Christmas Devotions with the Sandoval Family and reflect on the role of John the Baptist in the proclamation of the salvation we shall all receive through the birth of our Saviour. Let's continue to discover the treasures of the Christmas story.

Luke 1:76-79 NIV

76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
79 to shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

Jesus was born for our rescue. He has come to a dark world in desperate need of a Saviour. Isn't it wonderful that the symbol of Christmas in the bright shining light of the Star of Bethlehem that pieced the darkness of that cold dark night. It did not only pierced the darness of the night but the darkness of the hearts of those who have seen Him in the manger.  Let's continue to join the Batino Family in today's devotional.

Luke 2:30-32

30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”

Welcome to our Christmas Devotions! Today we begin the advent of Christmas, the first arrival of God on earth in the flesh. Let's seek Him as once the wisemen did and worship Him as did the shepherds. Immanuel! God is with us!

Psalm 130:5-8

5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
6 I wait for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.

7 Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
for with the Lord is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
8 He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.

Luke 2:11-12

11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

This month of November, we are exploring the ROOTS of our faith and the origins of the Church through the Book of Acts. How did the early Christians, Followers of the Way, thrive and grew and spread greater and further even in the midst of unparalleled opposition, persecution and hardships? Let's rediscover the secrets of their flourishing lives and walk with the Lord.

This month of November, we are exploring the ROOTS of our faith and the origins of the Church through the Book of Acts. How did the early Christians, Followers of the Way, thrive and grew and spread greater and further even in the midst of unparalleled opposition, persecution and hardships? Let's rediscover the secrets of their flourishing lives and walk with the Lord.

This month of November, we are exploring the ROOTS of our faith and the origins of the Church through the Book of Acts. How did the early Christians, Followers of the Way, thrive and grew and spread greater and further even in the midst of unparalleled opposition, persecution and hardships? Let's rediscover the secrets of their flourishing lives and walk with the Lord. 

1 Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.

3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.

7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret—it only causes harm.

9 For evildoers shall be cut off;
But those who wait on the Lord,
They shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more;
Indeed, you will look carefully for his place,
But it shall be no more.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth,
And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

16 A little that a righteous man has
Is better than the riches of many wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
But the Lord upholds the righteous.

18 The Lord knows the days of the upright,
And their inheritance shall be forever.
19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time,
And in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
20 But the wicked shall perish;
And the enemies of the Lord,
Like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish.
Into smoke they shall vanish away.

21 The wicked borrows and does not repay,
But the righteous shows mercy and gives.
22 For those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth,
But those cursed by Him shall be cut off.

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,
And He delights in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the Lord upholds him with His hand.

25 I have been young, and now am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread.
26 He is ever merciful, and lends;
And his descendants are blessed.

27 Depart from evil, and do good;
And dwell forevermore.
28 For the Lord loves justice,
And does not forsake His saints;
They are preserved forever,
But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land,
And dwell in it forever.

I have experienced 3 consecutive miscarriages...  1 in 2018, 1 in 2019 and another 1 in 2020, and even before Skylar came, I already lost 1 too, so I have 4 miscarriages in total and that's 4 babies in heaven.

So we seek medical advice and we went to a reproductive immunologist in 2019 just after I had a miscarriage and the doctor found out that I have APAS. It is an Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome, it's a disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks normal proteins in the blood.

It can cause blood clots to form within the arteries, veins and organs. It can also cause miscarriage and stillbirth in pregnant women and there's no cure for antiphospholipid syndrome, but medications can reduce my risk of blood clots.So my immune system mistakenly attacks my growing baby.

During that time, the doctor didn't give me any medication but he advised me to lose weight just for at least 5-10 kg. So I decided to lose some weight and even exceeded what was required of me. I lost 20 kg.

After achieving my desired body weight, I and my husband decided to give it another go. Yes, we got pregnant again so we went back to our specialist and he advised me to be on heparin injections for my entire pregnancy.It was painful to accept that I have to go through that journey just to have a baby. But I bravely faced all the injections every night, and I am thankful for my husband who bravely administered those subcutaneous injections for me. But then again just after a few weeks, I miscarry.

After 3 consecutive miscarriages, I guess in the natural, it's pretty obvious that we can't have another child. But we have a Supernatural God, that gave us supernatural strength and grace to hope again. And with the help of my mom, our church family ate Hazel, ate Tess, pastor Jeff and my Selah DG family. We trusted the Lord and believed that He is a way maker, a promise keeper and a miracle-working God.

So we moved on and continue the race that was set before us. We just enjoyed our lives together as husband and wife, doing the ministry as a family and getting busy in the Kingdom. 2020 was indeed a busy year for us in the ministry, I remember that's the time when we first launched our first ever JRM Kids TV aired in April 2020 then JRM kids Fest in November that same year.

We just stand on the promises of God. I remember what my husband says, that the Lord will not withhold any good thing from us and when He gives something He will not add trouble to it.

So we stand in faith, enjoy our Christmas together, feasting and enjoying Gods faithfulness in our lives.

So on the 1st week of January, we had the biggest news ever and found out that we are pregnant again!!!

We didn't go back to our specialist anymore but we go directly to Our Great Physician. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against doctors but we choose to trust Him more and depend on God alone. After weeks and months of waiting in the middle of the pandemic, at 37 weeks our miracle baby is born. Here she is... Baby Oceanne Zephaniah.

Romans 8:32-34

32 For God has proved his love by giving us his greatest treasure, the gift of his Son. And since God freely offered him up as the sacrifice for us all, he certainly won’t withhold from us anything else he has to give.

And just before I end. I wanted to share what I have written in my journal. Dated 05 June 2019.

To God be all the glory.

“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

As familiar as these words are in the Lord’s Prayer, their meaning and significance often escapes us.

What is the Kingdom of God? What does it mean for His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven?

In this prayer, Jesus summarized God’s plan and goal for history and creation.

The reason is simple: God is turning the entire earth into an extension of his heavenly kingdom. God is the coming King and his will will be done on earth just as fully as it’s already being done in heaven.

This is the story of the Bible - the Kingdom of God that has come, and is present here now through His Church and is yet to fully arrive!

Let's lean in now as we understand that this world is not our home. We are pilgrims here on earth; exiles from where we truly belong. Our citizenship is the Kingdom of heaven and let's learn from Daniel and his three friends how they lived as exiles in Babylon as a picture of how we also should live here in our present Babylon while waiting to return Home.

His Kingdom Comes!

Bro Jerry and Sis Tess reminds us of the importance of watchfulness and preparedness as we continue to anticipate the coming of the Lord. What really matters now are the things that matters in eternity. Are we ready?

Matthew 12:29-40

29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. 39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

Let's join the Sandoval Family in today's devotional and continue to be instructed by the Word on how to be a faithful and wise servant as we wait for the Master's return.

Matthew 24:45-51

45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ 49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Leo, Juli and DJ share today's devotional on the Parable of the Ten Virgins and how it pertains to the Coming Kingdom of Heaven and how we should be ready and prepared fro the Day of the Lord's return. Let's continue to listen and medtitate the Word today.

Matthew 25:1-13

1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

As familiar as these words are in the Lord’s Prayer, their meaning and significance often escapes us.

What is the Kingdom of God? What does it mean for His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven?

In this prayer, Jesus summarized God’s plan and goal for history and creation.

The reason is simple: God is turning the entire earth into an extension of his heavenly kingdom. God is the coming King and his will will be done on earth just as fully as it’s already being done in heaven.

This is the story of the Bible - the Kingdom of God that has come, and is present here now through His Church and is yet to fully arrive!

Let's lean in now as we understand that this world is not our home. We are pilgrims here on earth; exiles from where we truly belong. Our citizenship is the Kingdom of heaven and let's learn from Daniel and his three friends how they lived as exiles in Babylon as a picture of how we also should live here in our present Babylon while waiting to return Home.

His Kingdom Comes!

Sister Grace shares today's devotional on how we as a modern-day church could reflect the realities of the early church in Colosse in prayer, in fruitfulness in every good work and in patient endurance and joy; knowing we have been transferred from the dominion of darkness to the Kingdom of the Son of God. Let's lean in to the Word.

Colossians 1:3-14

3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel 6 that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. 7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, 8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

The Laguatans share with us this powerful and curious Psalm about God's rule above all and His soveregnty. As Eternal, All-powerful King of all, He reigns and is not worried at all. Let's rest on this truth. He still sits on the throne.

Psalm 2

1 Why do the nations conspire
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,
3 “Let us break their chains
and throw off their shackles.”

4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them.
5 He rebukes them in his anger
and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
6 “I have installed my king
on Zion, my holy mountain.”

7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:

He said to me, “You are my son;
today I have become your father.
8 Ask me,
and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You will break them with a rod of iron;
you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”

10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear
and celebrate his rule with trembling.
12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry
and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Angel and Weia share our inspiring devotional today. The book of Acts ends with Paul's house arrest and an open-ended manner in chapter 28, as if to say "to be continued"... and indeed it has continued. The mission went on to spread in the entire world and we are now part of that mission. We are the Acts 29 generation. So let's go!

Acts 28:17-31

17 Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18 They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. 19 The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar. I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. 20 For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”

21 They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. 22 But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.”

23 They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. 25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet:

26 “‘Go to this people and say,
“You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
27 For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’

28 “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” [29]

30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!

“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

As familiar as these words are in the Lord’s Prayer, their meaning and significance often escapes us.

What is the Kingdom of God? What does it mean for His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven?

In this prayer, Jesus summarized God’s plan and goal for history and creation.

The reason is simple: God is turning the entire earth into an extension of his heavenly kingdom. God is the coming King and his will will be done on earth just as fully as it’s already being done in heaven.

This is the story of the Bible - the Kingdom of God that has come, and is present here now through His Church and is yet to fully arrive!

Let's lean in now as we understand that this world is not our home. We are pilgrims here on earth; exiles from where we truly belong. Our citizenship is the Kingdom of heaven and let's learn from Daniel and his three friends how they lived as exiles in Babylon as a picture of how we also should live here in our present Babylon while waiting to return Home.

His Kingdom Comes!

Eugene, Daniel and Ate Melba leads us in today's devotional and looks at the passage that touches on humility and generosity that we should exhibit in the upside-down Kingdom of God. Let's lean in and be exhorted.

Luke 14:7-14

7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Dave, Abby and Zairus, beautifully exhorts on a childlike faith that we need to receive and to continually be amazed by the Kingdom of God. Let's lean in and be inspired by this message.

Mark 10:13-16

13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone, who will not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

Allan & Queena shares an insightful devotional on what it means to truly worship God. Let's be reminded of the reason, essence and means of our acceptable and proper worship to the King.

Romans 12:1-2

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Annika and Hannah leads us in today's devotional and amply illustrates that the Kingship of Jesus is not of this world, and so is our citizenship to His Kingdom, by the grace that has been given to us. Let's continue to listen...

John 18:28-36

Jesus Before Pilate

28 Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?”

30 “If he were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed him over to you.”

31 Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.”

“But we have no right to execute anyone,” they objected. 32 This took place to fulfill what Jesus had said about the kind of death he was going to die.

33 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

34 “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”

35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”

36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

KG and Dan share with us this insightful devotional on Jesus' Triumphal Entry to Jerusalem as King fulfilling the prophecy of the prophet Zechariah.
Let's lean in and gain revelation of the beauty of JESUS's kingship and how we should respond to Him.

John 12:12-19

12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,

“Hosanna!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Blessed is the king of Israel!”

14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:

15 “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;
see, your king is coming,
seated on a donkey’s colt.”

16 At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.

17 Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. 18 Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”

Let's join the Batino Family as we reflect on the Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price

Matthew 13

The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

As familiar as these words are in the Lord’s Prayer, their meaning and significance often escapes us.

We'd like to share with you these powerful teachings from our recently concluded Virtual Family Camp,

What is the Kingdom of God? What does it mean for His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven?

In this prayer, Jesus summarized God’s plan and goal for history and creation.

The reason is simple: God is turning the entire earth into an extension of his heavenly kingdom. God is the coming King and his will will be done on earth just as fully as it’s already being done in heaven.

This is the story of the Bible - the Kingdom of God that has come, and is present here now through His Church and is yet to fully arrive!

Let's lean in now as we understand God's goal in history, how soon it is approaching and how we as a Church will be ready for His return.

His Kingdom Comes!

“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

As familiar as these words are in the Lord’s Prayer, their meaning and significance often escapes us.

We'd like to share with you these powerful teachings from our recently concluded Virtual Family Camp,

What is the Kingdom of God? What does it mean for His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven?

In this prayer, Jesus summarized God’s plan and goal for history and creation.

The reason is simple: God is turning the entire earth into an extension of his heavenly kingdom. God is the coming King and his will will be done on earth just as fully as it’s already being done in heaven.

This is the story of the Bible - the Kingdom of God that has come, and is present here now through His Church and is yet to fully arrive!

Let's lean in now as we understand God's goal in history, how soon it is approaching and how we as a Church will be ready for His return.

His Kingdom Comes!

“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

As familiar as these words are in the Lord’s Prayer, their meaning and significance often escapes us.

We'd like to share with you these powerful teachings from our recently concluded Virtual Family Camp,

What is the Kingdom of God? What does it mean for His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven?

In this prayer, Jesus summarized God’s plan and goal for history and creation.

The reason is simple: God is turning the entire earth into an extension of his heavenly kingdom. God is the coming King and his will will be done on earth just as fully as it’s already being done in heaven.

This is the story of the Bible - the Kingdom of God that has come, and is present here now through His Church and is yet to fully arrive!

Let's lean in now as we understand God's goal in history, how soon it is approaching and how we as a Church will be ready for His return.

His Kingdom Comes!