Category: Faith

relevance of jesus christ
Posted in Faith, Inspirational, Lent, Living in New Zealand Now, Living in Timaru, South Canterbury living

Relevance of Jesus Christ in my Life

Posted on by Jonan Castillon

relevance of jesus christ

Recognising my sinfulness and the fact that I cannot do anything on my will and effort to cleanse me from all unrighteousness make Jesus Christ relevant and important.

As if my spirit was an old rusty and squeaky wheel in need of repair and replacement. And through the cleansing blood of Jesus, I am now redeemed, renewed and truly living.

Acknowledging my need for a Saviour, I found the answer to the question “How can the death of Jesus Christ be ransom for all?“

The lyrics of “He Look Beyond My Fault and Saw My Need” express my sentiments so well that I’m always touched listening and singing this song.

Amazing grace shall always be my song of praise,
for it was grace that brought my liberty;
I do not know just why He came to love me so,
He looked beyond my fault and saw my need.

Chorus

I shall forever life mine eyes to Calvary,
to view the cross where Jesus died for me,
how marvelous the grace that caught my falling soul;
He looked beyond my fault and saw my need.

If you’re still wondering about the redeeming power of the cross, take time to reflect…see your sinfulness, repent, receive and believe that Jesus Christ is your only Saviour and Lord.

 

PHOTO CREDIT: Old Rusty Wheel by Ross Waugh

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Jesus Christ at the cross
Posted in Christ the Only Way Movement, Faith, Love

How Can the Death of the One Jesus Christ be Redemption for All?

Posted on by Jonan Castillon

Jesus Christ at the cross

How can the death of the one Jesus Christ be redemption for all?

Why the crucifixion of Jesus Christ more than 2000 years ago has relevance and important impact in our lives today?

These are just two of the many questions surrounding the mystery of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.

Perhaps these questions might have crossed your mind and maybe the annual Good Friday celebration awakens and intensifies your wonderment.

As believers and followers of Christ, we can’t help but grapple with these two questions because we need to make sense of the crucifixion event.

Christians must not avoid dealing with these questions and easily attribute our Good Friday beliefs and practices as traditions that church leaders and parents handed-down to us.

We can also play it safe and say “the Bible tells me so” and just believe without questioning or searching for answers.

However, we are now living in an era where everything, both abstract and concrete, is examined, tried, or scrutinized. It is important that we address these questions so to strengthen our faith and most of all, provide firm faith foundation to the next generation of believers.

When our daughter started attending nursery classes at four years old, she would express her anxiety and nervousness. We would assure her that Jesus Christ is with you. She would say, “But I can’t see him”.

What made our child gain confidence was our assurance that we’re just a call away and we would be there to meet her when the class is over. Well, we can smile at the child’s honest retort but it made me think of how to make Jesus real for our child.

I’m sure that there are many Christians who are seeking answers for their faith questions. Our failure to discuss even the most innocent questions of faith would surely result to unbelief.

With the modern world offering varied answers to questions of life and faith, it’s not a wonder why many in our society today treat Jesus Christ as mere myth. So please tell me…

How can the death of the one Jesus Christ be redemption for all?

Why the crucifixion of Jesus Christ more than 2000 years ago has relevance and important impact in our lives today?

READERS ARE REQUESTED TO SHARE YOUR ANSWERS TO THE TWO QUESTIONS ABOVE.
PLEASE WRITE THEM ON THE COMMENT FORM OR BOX AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST. THANK YOU.

PHOTO CREDIT: Toon Yong Meng Steven

Posted in Faith, Living in New Zealand Now, South Canterbury living

The Glory of God in Jesus Christ Shines Bright in Darkness Always and Forever

Posted on by Jonan Castillon

 

Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Isaiah 60:1-3

Darkness may envelope but it actually provides perfect background to see where light is, like this night shot of Church Street, Timaru.
Darkness may envelope but it actually provides perfect background to see where light is, like this night shot of Church Street, Timaru..

 

I heard someone said there’s subtle persecution among Christians today in New Zealand.

Marriage is threatened by the possible passage of the gay marriage bill.

Teenage binge drinking has become a problem and drunken driving arrests have become common.

Following UK and US trend, the cloud of secularism has been engulfing slowly New Zealand society. Some leaders have professed God to be myth, others even stating openly their unbelief.

St Mary's (Anglican) Parish Church looks magnificent at night.
St Mary’s (Anglican) Parish Church looks magnificent at night.

Is there indeed ebbing of Kiwi faith?

In response to ‘darkness’ that appears to be clouding New Zealand, Pastor John McMullan shared Isaiah 60:1-3. He reflected that darkness might seemed immense but actually it is creating a vacuum in man’s heart, which would lead him or her to search and find the Light of God.

Indeed, atheist may bully believers and sow hatred and mockery against the Great Living God but they will never triumph because the light of God in Jesus Christ will never be snuffed out.

Time and again, many powerful leaders tried to cut God but they all have failed.

In fact, the Gospel of Christ has always been so alive and active since the Holy Spirit came to the apostles on that memorable Pentecost day.

As God created man to see and feel, it won’t be a wonder when “Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn” as darkness tries to envelope the earth.

Indeed, “darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples” but we see the glory of God in Jesus Christ rising and shining always and forever.

Please strengthen other’s faith by sharing this post through Facebook, Twitter, or other social media sites.

 

PHOTO CREDIT: Jade Mark Jarbadan

Posted in Faith, Inspirational, South Canterbury living

Little Time that Matters Big

Posted on by Jonan Castillon

 

Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.
Mark 13:33

Time of your life

quiet time with God

Have you thought and realized that the little time we are spending with God would matter big time when suddenly all else fail?

We grow up in a society where achieving a good and successful life means working hard and earning high. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with it because indeed we need to work hard and earn a living.

The issue is more on spending almost all of our time on what we thought were the essentials of good life to the point that we even compromise the two-hour we spend for Sunday worship.

Oftentimes, going to church on Sunday for even the short moment of worshiping God is a struggle for some of us. If it’s not, we see it only as fulfilling an obligation but our heart is not really into it.

Many don’t realize having quiet time with God is important. Maybe some know but they never get to do it regularly.

There are people who woke up in comfort, they have everything in life, business and career are very successful and the need to worship God is not relevant anymore.

Doing online writing, I recalled one of my clients who after knowing that I’m a pastor, expressed that he doesn’t believe in God.

A month later a strong earthquake hit their city and devastation was widespread. Chatting through Skype the day after the earthquake, I read his message requesting for prayers as they go through the calamity that struck their place.

I have read how people who have forsaken God, who never gave time to commit their lives to Him, who are in the midst of trials, hang on to that little time they spent in faithful worship service for sanity and survival.

Yes, let’s not neglect the little time that we give in communing with God because I’m sure that it would matter a lot when trials come.

If two hours every Sunday is the only time you can spend with God, please make sure that it’s the best and precious time you can give.

You might not be aware nor you might not believe but your existence hangs on that thin thread of time you spend with God.

Don’t wait for calamities to come before you treasure your time with God.

Make it matter now before your time in this world runs out.

What do you think hinders people from spending great time with God. Please post a comment below…Thank you!

PHOTOS: Claphams National Clock Museum by Jade Mark Jarbadan

faith in God
Posted in Faith, Inspirational

Moving Forward in Faith

Posted on by Jonan Castillon

Moving forward in faith

“They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” (Psalm 112:7)

I took this photo of two sparrows as I watched through our window in August 2012. It was winter in Auckland and food might be scarce for these creatures but I recalled how God cares for them.

I chose this photo to complement the devotional I read from Messianic Bible Devotionals, which I’m sharing below.

Just as the Exodus was the starting point of Israel’s salvation, so is our rescue from the kingdom of darkness just the beginning of our spiritual journey.

But the enemy of our souls does not let go easily; he usually tries to draw us back into bondage.

Sometimes when our backs are up against the wall, as was the case with Israel standing at the Red Sea, we wonder: “What should I do? What should I do?”

Instead of panicking and blaming others, we can move on in faith, believing that He will save us. After that, we need to enter into His rest and wait on the Lord for further instructions.

If we remember that the Lord fights our battles for us, then we can quiet our inner turmoil and trust in Him, hold our peace, and refuse to speak unbelief when pushed to our limits.

Let us keep on moving forward in faith, knowing and believing that our God Almighty is on our side to win all of life’s challenges.

PRAYER

Lord God, forgive us for our unbelief that You are our Great Defender. Thank you for always being there to protect us and help us win the battles of life. Amen.