Reflection on Week 8

On this week’s lesson. This could be one the most sad events of the Christian history. “The Dark Ages in the Roman Empire”. It is the time where brutality, killing, persecutions, ad famine happened to the lives of these believers.

            I cannot imagine the bloody event that happened this time that made me think how blessed we are right now. We have the freedom to get together as a church. We can publicly do big events. We free to sing worship songs even with loud speakers. Our country our open to sharing of the gospel. No killing, no famine, and no worst trials that go towards us, but these blessing sometimes we take it for granted.

            I have decided to not just wait for another people to be used for the glory of God, but to act and to be used my life for great things and for great purposes of God Almighty. May this reflection may not only stay on this paper but also be applied 

Reflection on Week 7

This week we teacher Angel talked about the life of Constantine, and the great things and successes he had achieved.

One thing that made amazed in this topic was the idea of God of using greatly Constantine, a man who kills lives, for spreading the gospel. This story happened already in the event of the Old Testament. Although different story but had a similar theme. The story of the Captivity of Israel to Babylon. God used a sinful nation to punish the nation of Israel and to fulfill the great purposes of God to their lives. Truly, God uses different things, events, and people to carry out His purposes.

            The lesson that can be applied to me is that what happens, I will always put my trust to God. Even if it’s bad or good. I shall hold on to Him always. Sometimes God used unusual event for a big surprise and this surprise will always bring joy into believer’s heart if he/she truly put his/her full trust into the Lord. And it is my prayer to have the same view of God.

Reflection on Week 6

“Church and State” was our topic during this week. We talked about Constantine as the first emperor who allowed the practice of Christianity. Christianity during the early days was under the government of the state. And if a church is under the state they don’t have the total freedom to express what they believe.

            What I believe about this is that being under the state would hinder the growth of the church. Because what the state wants is what the church would obey. It is not the authority of the Bible that would the way it would be but the state. The danger is that, it’s a sad thing what the state decides contradicts of what the Bible says.

            One thing I could apply in this matter is that don’t let outside the teachings of the scripture would decide the way a believer should behave. Only the Bible was the written Words of God that has authority and power to change lives. The right thing to do for this is to let other people know the importance of God’s Word in our lives.

Reflection on Week 5

The 5th week of this semester was an unexpected event in my life. It was my first time that I encountered the destructive work of evil spirits. Sometimes many Christians are making fun of it but these enemies are very powerful that if we let our guard down it can disturb us anytime.

But I was also grateful because during that time God's power and authority was displayed to the life of the two ladies, and many of us witnessed it personally. It was an actual proof that the God who lives in us is more powerful than the one who is in the world (1 John 4:4). Prayer in the name of Jesus is the most effective way in defeating Satan’s scheme.

            There are many things I learned that time. First, I learned not to be afraid of evil spirits because God’s Spirit is in me already. Demons cannot touch me nor harm me. It is the blood of Jesus that He poured on the cross for my sins. Another one was the prayer of many in the name of Jesus can torture Satan and his evil forces. We may have different feelings during that time but it’s God’s power that prevail. Last one was no matter how knowledgeable you are to the Bible if there is bitterness from your heart, you cannot leave peacefully. During that time, big revival happened. Each of us learned to humble ourselves and learned to asked forgiveness to one another.

Reflection on Week 4

On this week, we study how important the Word of God is. We were asked by teacher Angel “What is the Word of God for us?” Many of us said that the Word of God tells of who God is, who we are to God, and who God is to us.

What I see from the discussion was that there are still many Christians who neglect the importance of the Bible. It could be the reason why some churches are not growing it’s because not only members are ignored the Bible but also the leaders among the church. Leaders sometimes think that if they have the position in the church they are important to God. That is why these kind of people are on fire on being part of the office the church than on fire to the Word of God. Sometimes these people are the ones who leave the church when their pride were attack. The Holy Spirit works in the heart of a believer not in the position he/she had in the church.

These lessons prepared me for the bigger span of ministry in the future. If God wants me to become pastor, I must trained the church leaders to love God and His Word above all.

Reflection on Week 3

During this week, we had discussions about false teachings and teachers. Their part of the lives of the early Christians were to stir confusions among the body of believers. This led the early church fathers to stand for the truth and find the real foundations of their faith that was taught by the Jesus and the Apostles. If believers in the past will not stand what they believe, there would probably no gospel that will preached here in the Philippines,

The idea of false teachers and false teachings made me realize that Satan will not be tired of doing his work also. He will do everything to waver those believers from the truth. Even though he is not all-powerful and all-knowing he is still full time in doing his job. This reminds every believer to be full time also in the fellowship of God. I was said that “a part-time Christian cannot defeat a full-time devil.”  I think this is what happening nowadays. Many believers are easily trapped by the deceive of the devil and do the things they wanted even it’s not in accordance with the Bible already.

This ministry is not a joke. It requires complete submission to God to be used for his glory and being faithful to the commands that He gave in His Word. This fight is not only spiritual fight and it involves strong relationship with the Father. As a Christian, it’s my duty to spend time in reading and meditating the Word of God and to have strong foundation of what I believe.

Reflection on Week 2

Our meeting last Wednesday talked about some history of Jesus’ journey and his the life of his followers. The discussion reminded me how Jesus displayed his message of repentance and grace. His message attracted so many Jews during his time but refused by some also. They did not understand even his disciples what His words meant until His death and resurrection. I was also amazed by those people who truly believed in Him because they endure the very severe persecutions during their time. They stand firm for what they believe. Early church Fathers also continue to preach even if there was many contradictions and hardships they faced.

What I have just learned is an encouragement for me to continue to stand firm in serving the Lord through taking part of sharing His word to the unbelievers. But a sad testimony for me or even for many Christians that “sharing God’s Word” is sometimes in mouth only but not in doing. The questions that I have in my mind are “What if those early Christians did not faithfully preach the gospel? What will going to happen to the people who followed them? Or the people today?” Giving importance to what they had done is having a grateful heart by serving God also and continue the great commission Jesus given to His followers.

I’m not sure enough where God will going to lead me to a specific ministry but my desire is to serve Him as a church planter in some of rural or mountainous area in our place. Right now I’m yet ready to do full time is this ministry but I still continue to be faithful to the current ministry that God entrusted for me to do.