TODAY IS THE TIME
NGAYON ANG PANAHON
Good afternoon, everyone, and Happy Sabbath.
Magandang hapon sa inyong lahat, at Maligayang Sabbath.
I want to begin with a simple question.
Gusto kong magsimula sa isang simpleng tanong.
What are you waiting for?
Ano ang hinihintay mo?
When we are young, we often think about tomorrow.
Kapag tayo ay bata pa, madalas nating iniisip ang bukas.
We think about finishing school.
Iniisip natin ang pagtatapos sa pag-aaral.
We think about getting a job.
Iniisip natin ang pagkakaroon ng trabaho.
We think about marriage and family.
Iniisip natin ang pag-aasawa at pagkakaroon ng pamilya.
We think about our dreams.
Iniisip natin ang ating mga pangarap.
We think about the person we hope to become.
Iniisip natin kung anong klaseng tao ang gusto nating maging.
There is nothing wrong with planning for tomorrow.
Walang masama sa pagpaplano para sa bukas.
But there is something we must remember.
Ngunit may isang bagay tayong dapat tandaan.
None of us has been promised tomorrow.
Wala sa atin ang pinangakuang mabubuhay pa bukas.
James 4:14
asks:
KJV
14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
TLA
14 ¿Cómo pueden hablar así, cuando ni siquiera saben lo que les va a suceder mañana? Su vida es como la niebla: aparece por un poco de tiempo, y luego desaparece.
Ang Santiago 4:14
ay nagtatanong:
KJV
14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
TLA
14 ¿Cómo pueden hablar así, cuando ni siquiera saben lo que les va a suceder mañana? Su vida es como la niebla: aparece por un poco de tiempo, y luego desaparece.
“For what is your life?”
“Sapagkat ano ba ang inyong buhay?”
Then it says that our life is like a vapour.
Pagkatapos ay sinasabi nito na ang ating buhay ay parang singaw.
It appears for a little time.
Lumilitaw ito sa maikling panahon.
Then it disappears.
Pagkatapos ay nawawala.
Life is precious.
Mahalaga ang buhay.
But life is also fragile.
Ngunit marupok din ang buhay.
I have known young people and friends whose lives ended unexpectedly.
May mga kabataan at mga kaibigan akong nakilala na biglang natapos ang kanilang buhay.
Some died through accidents.
Ang ilan ay namatay dahil sa aksidente.
Some died through illness.
Ang ilan ay namatay dahil sa karamdaman.
Some died suddenly.
Ang ilan ay biglang namatay.
Some never had an opportunity to say goodbye.
Ang ilan ay hindi man lamang nagkaroon ng pagkakataong magpaalam.
They did not wake up that morning knowing that it would be their last day.
Hindi sila nagising nang umagang iyon na alam nilang iyon na pala ang huling araw ng kanilang buhay.
Death does not only come when we are old.
Ang kamatayan ay hindi lamang dumarating kapag tayo ay matanda na.
But I am not saying this to frighten you.
Ngunit hindi ko ito sinasabi upang takutin kayo.
I am saying it because today is valuable.
Sinasabi ko ito dahil mahalaga ang araw na ito.
Today is an opportunity from God.
Ang araw na ito ay isang pagkakataong ibinigay ng Diyos.
OUR TIME OF PROBATION
ANG PANAHON NG ATING PROBASYON
God has given us this life to know Him.
Ibinigay sa atin ng Diyos ang buhay na ito upang makilala Siya.
He has given us this life to choose Him.
Ibinigay Niya sa atin ang buhay na ito upang piliin Siya.
He has given us this life to learn to trust Him.
Ibinigay Niya sa atin ang buhay na ito upang matutong magtiwala sa Kanya.
He has given us this life so that the Holy Spirit can change us.
Ibinigay Niya sa atin ang buhay na ito upang mabago tayo ng Banal na Espiritu.
We sometimes call this our time of probation.
Tinatawag natin kung minsan ang panahong ito na ating panahon ng probasyon.
Probation is our opportunity to respond to God's grace.
Ang probasyon ay pagkakataon natin na tumugon sa biyaya ng Diyos.
It is our opportunity to repent.
Ito ang ating pagkakataong magsisi.
It is our opportunity to surrender.
Ito ang ating pagkakataong isuko ang ating sarili sa Diyos.
It is our opportunity to grow.
Ito ang ating pagkakataong lumago.
It is our opportunity to become more like Jesus.
Ito ang ating pagkakataong maging higit na katulad ni Jesus.
2 Corinthians 6:2
says:
KJV
2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
TLA
2 Dios dice en la Biblia: «Cuando llegó el momento de mostrarles mi bondad, fui bondadoso con ustedes; cuando necesitaron salvación, yo les di libertad. »¡Escuchen! Ese momento oportuno ha llegado. ¡Hoy es el día en que Dios puede salvarlos!
Sinasabi sa 2 Corinto 6:2:
“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
“Narito, ngayon ang panahong katanggap-tanggap; narito, ngayon ang araw ng kaligtasan.”
Notice the word.
Pansinin ang salitang ito.
Now.
Ngayon.
Not when you finish school.
Hindi kapag nakatapos ka na sa pag-aaral.
Not when you are older.
Hindi kapag mas matanda ka na.
Not when you get married.
Hindi kapag nakapag-asawa ka na.
Not when life becomes easier.
Hindi kapag naging mas madali na ang buhay.
Not when you finally feel ready.
Hindi kapag pakiramdam mo ay handa ka na.
Now.
Ngayon.
In Isaiah 38
, King Hezekiah received a very serious message.
KJV
1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.
2 Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the Lord,
3 And said, Remember now, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.
4 Then came the word of the Lord to Isaiah, saying,
5 Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.
6 And I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria: and I will defend this city.
7 And this shall be a sign unto thee from the Lord, that the Lord will do this thing that he hath spoken;
8 Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down.
9 The writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick, and was recovered of his sickness:
10 I said in the cutting off of my days, I shall go to the gates of the grave: I am deprived of the residue of my years.
11 I said, I shall not see the Lord, even the Lord, in the land of the living: I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the world.
12 Mine age is departed, and is removed from me as a shepherd's tent: I have cut off like a weaver my life: he will cut me off with pining sickness: from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me.
13 I reckoned till morning, that, as a lion, so will he break all my bones: from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me.
14 Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail with looking upward: O Lord, I am oppressed; undertake for me.
15 What shall I say? he hath both spoken unto me, and himself hath done it: I shall go softly all my years in the bitterness of my soul.
16 O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit: so wilt thou recover me, and make me to live.
17 Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.
18 For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.
19 The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth.
20 The Lord was ready to save me: therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of the Lord.
21 For Isaiah had said, Let them take a lump of figs, and lay it for a plaister upon the boil, and he shall recover.
22 Hezekiah also had said, What is the sign that I shall go up to the house of the Lord?
TLA
1
1-22 En esos días, el rey Ezequías se enfermó gravemente y estaba por morir. El profeta Isaías fue a visitarlo y le dijo: «Dios dice que vas a morir, así que arregla todos tus asuntos familiares más importantes». Entonces Ezequías volvió su cara hacia la pared y oró a Dios así: «Dios mío, no te olvides de que yo siempre he sido sincero contigo, y te he agradado en todo». Luego Ezequías lloró con mucha tristeza. El profeta Isaías salió, y ordenó que le pusieran al rey Ezequías una pasta de higos en la herida para que sanara. Luego el rey preguntó: «¿Cómo puedo estar seguro de que voy a sanar, y que podré ir al templo de mi Dios? »Dios le dijo a Isaías: «Vuelve y dile al rey Ezequías, que yo, el Dios de su antepasado David, he escuchado su oración y he visto sus lágrimas. Dile que lo sanaré, y que voy a darle quince años más de vida. Yo salvaré a Ezequías y a Jerusalén del poder del rey de Asiria. Dile además que, como prueba de que cumpliré mi promesa, le daré esta señal: la sombra del reloj del rey Ahaz va a retroceder diez grados». Todo sucedió como Dios dijo. Luego de recuperarse de su enfermedad, el rey Ezequías escribió lo siguiente: «Yo pensé que iba a morirme justo cuando estaba viviendo los mejores años de mi vida. Pensé que aquí en la tierra no volvería a ver a nadie, y que tampoco vería a mi Dios. Desbarataron mi casa, y me deprimí bastante; ¡perdí las ganas de vivir! »Todo esto pasó de un día para otro, pero esperé con paciencia a que saliera el sol. Me sentía derrotado, como si un león me hubiera atacado. Chillé como golondrina, ¡me quejé como paloma! Me cansé de mirar al cielo y gritar: “¡Dios mío, estoy angustiado! ¡Dios mío, ven en mi ayuda!”»Era tanta mi amargura que ya ni dormir podía. Pero no podía quejarme porque tú, mi Dios, ya me lo habías anunciado, y cumpliste tu palabra. »Tú, mi Dios, me devolviste la salud y me diste nueva vida. Tus enseñanzas son buenas, porque dan vida y salud. Sin duda fue para mi bien pasar por tantos sufrimientos. Por tu amor me salvaste de la muerte, y perdonaste todos mis pecados. »Los que han muerto ya no pueden alabarte, ni confiar en tu fidelidad; en cambio, los que aún viven pueden alabarte como te alabo yo. También nuestros hijos y nuestros nietos podrán hablar de tu fidelidad. »Dios mío, tú me salvarás, y en tu templo te alabaremos con música de arpas todos los días de nuestra vida».
Sa Isaias 38
, tumanggap si Haring Hezekias ng isang napakaseryosong mensahe.
KJV
1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.
2 Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the Lord,
3 And said, Remember now, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.
4 Then came the word of the Lord to Isaiah, saying,
5 Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.
6 And I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria: and I will defend this city.
7 And this shall be a sign unto thee from the Lord, that the Lord will do this thing that he hath spoken;
8 Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down.
9 The writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick, and was recovered of his sickness:
10 I said in the cutting off of my days, I shall go to the gates of the grave: I am deprived of the residue of my years.
11 I said, I shall not see the Lord, even the Lord, in the land of the living: I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the world.
12 Mine age is departed, and is removed from me as a shepherd's tent: I have cut off like a weaver my life: he will cut me off with pining sickness: from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me.
13 I reckoned till morning, that, as a lion, so will he break all my bones: from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me.
14 Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail with looking upward: O Lord, I am oppressed; undertake for me.
15 What shall I say? he hath both spoken unto me, and himself hath done it: I shall go softly all my years in the bitterness of my soul.
16 O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit: so wilt thou recover me, and make me to live.
17 Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.
18 For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.
19 The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth.
20 The Lord was ready to save me: therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of the Lord.
21 For Isaiah had said, Let them take a lump of figs, and lay it for a plaister upon the boil, and he shall recover.
22 Hezekiah also had said, What is the sign that I shall go up to the house of the Lord?
TLA
1
1-22 En esos días, el rey Ezequías se enfermó gravemente y estaba por morir. El profeta Isaías fue a visitarlo y le dijo: «Dios dice que vas a morir, así que arregla todos tus asuntos familiares más importantes». Entonces Ezequías volvió su cara hacia la pared y oró a Dios así: «Dios mío, no te olvides de que yo siempre he sido sincero contigo, y te he agradado en todo». Luego Ezequías lloró con mucha tristeza. El profeta Isaías salió, y ordenó que le pusieran al rey Ezequías una pasta de higos en la herida para que sanara. Luego el rey preguntó: «¿Cómo puedo estar seguro de que voy a sanar, y que podré ir al templo de mi Dios? »Dios le dijo a Isaías: «Vuelve y dile al rey Ezequías, que yo, el Dios de su antepasado David, he escuchado su oración y he visto sus lágrimas. Dile que lo sanaré, y que voy a darle quince años más de vida. Yo salvaré a Ezequías y a Jerusalén del poder del rey de Asiria. Dile además que, como prueba de que cumpliré mi promesa, le daré esta señal: la sombra del reloj del rey Ahaz va a retroceder diez grados». Todo sucedió como Dios dijo. Luego de recuperarse de su enfermedad, el rey Ezequías escribió lo siguiente: «Yo pensé que iba a morirme justo cuando estaba viviendo los mejores años de mi vida. Pensé que aquí en la tierra no volvería a ver a nadie, y que tampoco vería a mi Dios. Desbarataron mi casa, y me deprimí bastante; ¡perdí las ganas de vivir! »Todo esto pasó de un día para otro, pero esperé con paciencia a que saliera el sol. Me sentía derrotado, como si un león me hubiera atacado. Chillé como golondrina, ¡me quejé como paloma! Me cansé de mirar al cielo y gritar: “¡Dios mío, estoy angustiado! ¡Dios mío, ven en mi ayuda!”»Era tanta mi amargura que ya ni dormir podía. Pero no podía quejarme porque tú, mi Dios, ya me lo habías anunciado, y cumpliste tu palabra. »Tú, mi Dios, me devolviste la salud y me diste nueva vida. Tus enseñanzas son buenas, porque dan vida y salud. Sin duda fue para mi bien pasar por tantos sufrimientos. Por tu amor me salvaste de la muerte, y perdonaste todos mis pecados. »Los que han muerto ya no pueden alabarte, ni confiar en tu fidelidad; en cambio, los que aún viven pueden alabarte como te alabo yo. También nuestros hijos y nuestros nietos podrán hablar de tu fidelidad. »Dios mío, tú me salvarás, y en tu templo te alabaremos con música de arpas todos los días de nuestra vida».
The message was:
Ang mensahe ay:
“Set thine house in order.”
“Ayusin mo ang iyong sambahayan.”
That message should make us think.
Ang mensaheng iyan ay dapat magbigay sa atin ng dahilan upang mag-isip.
Maybe there are things in our spiritual house that need to be put in order.
Marahil may mga bagay sa ating espirituwal na buhay na kailangang ayusin.
Maybe there is someone we need to forgive.
Marahil may isang taong kailangan nating patawarin.
Maybe there is someone from whom we need to ask forgiveness.
Marahil may isang taong kailangan nating hingan ng tawad.
Maybe there is a habit that needs to stop.
Marahil may isang ugali na kailangang itigil.
Maybe there is dishonesty that needs to be corrected.
Marahil may kawalan ng katapatan na kailangang itama.
Maybe there is something that God has repeatedly asked us to surrender.
Marahil may isang bagay na paulit-ulit na hinihiling ng Diyos na isuko natin sa Kanya.
Maybe there is something we already know is wrong.
Marahil may isang bagay na alam na nating mali.
Do not wait for some future day to make it right.
Huwag maghintay ng ibang araw upang itama ito.
Set your house in order today.
Ayusin mo ang iyong buhay ngayon.
FAITHFUL TO THE LIGHT WE HAVE RECEIVED
MAGING TAPAT SA LIWANAG NA ATING NATANGGAP
Sometimes we think:
Kung minsan ay iniisip natin:
“I still have so much to learn.”
“Marami pa akong kailangang matutuhan.”
And that is true.
At totoo iyon.
None of us knows everything.
Wala sa atin ang nakaaalam ng lahat ng bagay.
God continues teaching us throughout our lives.
Patuloy tayong tinuturuan ng Diyos sa buong buhay natin.
But God asks us to be faithful to all the light He has given us up to today.
Ngunit hinihiling ng Diyos na maging tapat tayo sa lahat ng liwanag na ibinigay Niya sa atin hanggang sa araw na ito.
You are not responsible today for something that God has not yet shown you.
Hindi ka pananagutin ngayon sa isang bagay na hindi pa ipinakikita sa iyo ng Diyos.
But when God shows you truth, you become responsible for what you do with that truth.
Ngunit kapag ipinakita sa iyo ng Diyos ang katotohanan, nagiging pananagutan mo kung ano ang gagawin mo sa katotohanang iyon.
Christian growth happens step by step.
Ang paglago bilang Kristiyano ay nangyayari nang paisa-isang hakbang.
God shows us something.
May ipinakikita sa atin ang Diyos.
We respond.
Tumutugon tayo.
He teaches us more.
Mas marami pa Siyang itinuturo sa atin.
We respond again.
Muli tayong tumutugon.
We learn.
Natututo tayo.
We grow.
Lumalaki tayo sa pananampalataya.
We surrender.
Isinusuko natin ang ating sarili.
And slowly, our character becomes more like the character of Jesus.
At unti-unti, ang ating karakter ay nagiging higit na katulad ng karakter ni Jesus.
This is the work of a lifetime.
Ito ay gawain ng buong buhay.
WHAT DOES CHARACTER PERFECTION MEAN?
ANO ANG IBIG SABIHIN NG KASAKDALAN NG KARAKTER?
Sometimes Christians become frightened by the word perfection.
Kung minsan ay natatakot ang mga Kristiyano sa salitang kasakdalan.
We may think that perfection means never making another mistake.
Maaaring isipin natin na ang kasakdalan ay nangangahulugang hindi na tayo kailanman magkakamali.
We may think that it means making ourselves good enough for heaven.
Maaaring isipin natin na kailangan nating gawing sapat na mabuti ang ating sarili para sa langit.
We may think that we must somehow become holy through our own strength.
Maaaring isipin natin na kailangan nating maging banal sa pamamagitan ng sarili nating lakas.
That is not the gospel.
Hindi iyan ang ebanghelyo.
We cannot change our own hearts.
Hindi natin kayang baguhin ang sarili nating puso.
We cannot overcome sin through our own power.
Hindi natin kayang pagtagumpayan ang kasalanan sa sarili nating kapangyarihan.
Jesus said in John 15:5
:
KJV
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
TLA
5 »El discípulo que se mantiene unido a mí, y con quien yo me mantengo unido, es como una rama que da mucho fruto; pero si uno de ustedes se separa de mí, no podrá hacer nada.
Sinabi ni Jesus sa Juan 15:5
:
KJV
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
TLA
5 »El discípulo que se mantiene unido a mí, y con quien yo me mantengo unido, es como una rama que da mucho fruto; pero si uno de ustedes se separa de mí, no podrá hacer nada.
“Without Me ye can do nothing.”
“Kung wala Ako ay wala kayong magagawa.”
But Philippians 2:13
tells us:
KJV
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
TLA
13 Porque es Dios quien los motiva a hacer el bien, y quien los ayuda a practicarlo, y lo hace porque así lo quiere.
Ngunit sinasabi sa Filipos 2:13:
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”
“Sapagkat ang Diyos ang gumagawa sa inyo upang inyong naisin at gawin ang Kanyang mabuting kalooban.”
God works in us.
Ang Diyos ang gumagawa sa loob natin.
We surrender our will.
Isinusuko natin ang ating kalooban.
We make choices.
Gumagawa tayo ng mga pasiya.
We obey the light He gives us.
Sinusunod natin ang liwanag na ibinibigay Niya sa atin.
But the power comes from God.
Ngunit ang kapangyarihan ay nagmumula sa Diyos.
The Holy Spirit does the work in us that we cannot do for ourselves.
Ginagawa ng Banal na Espiritu sa atin ang hindi natin kayang gawin para sa ating sarili.
PERFECT ON THE OUTSIDE
PERPEKTO SA PANLABAS
I learned something about perfection when I was very young.
May natutuhan ako tungkol sa kasakdalan noong bata pa ako.
I grew up with a strong military influence in my family.
Lumaki ako sa isang pamilya na may malakas na impluwensiyang militar.
When we visited my great-grandfather, everything had to be right.
Kapag bumibisita kami sa aking lolo-sa-tuhod, kailangang maayos ang lahat.
Our clothes had to look right.
Kailangang maayos ang aming damit.
Our shoes had to be perfectly polished.
Kailangang makintab na makintab ang aming sapatos.
We had to sit properly.
Kailangan naming umupo nang maayos.
We had to eat properly.
Kailangan naming kumain nang maayos.
We had to behave properly.
Kailangan naming kumilos nang maayos.
We had to be quiet when we were expected to be quiet.
Kailangan naming manahimik kapag inaasahan kaming manahimik.
There were five brothers in our family.
Lima kaming magkakapatid na lalaki.
And we could look like exemplary children.
At maaari kaming magmukhang huwarang mga bata.
People could look at us and think:
Maaaring tingnan kami ng mga tao at isipin:
“What wonderfully behaved boys!”
“Napakabait naman ng mga batang ito!”
But there was a problem.
Ngunit may problema.
Sometimes we behaved well because we were afraid of what would happen if we did not.
Kung minsan ay mabuti ang aming kilos dahil natatakot kami sa mangyayari kapag hindi kami sumunod.
On the outside everything could look perfect.
Sa panlabas, maaaring magmukhang perpekto ang lahat.
But what was happening inside the heart?
Ngunit ano ang nangyayari sa loob ng puso?
That is an important question.
Mahalagang tanong iyan.
Because God is not simply trying to create frightened children who behave perfectly because they fear punishment.
Sapagkat hindi lamang nais ng Diyos na magkaroon ng mga anak na kumikilos nang maayos dahil natatakot silang maparusahan.
God wants to change our hearts.
Nais ng Diyos na baguhin ang ating mga puso.
Over the years, I have watched children grow.
Sa paglipas ng mga taon, nakita ko kung paano lumalaki ang mga bata.
When children are very young, sometimes they obey simply because Mum or Dad tells them:
Kapag napakabata pa ng mga anak, kung minsan ay sumusunod sila dahil sinabi lamang ni Nanay o Tatay:
“You must do this.”
“Kailangan mong gawin ito.”
But something beautiful happens as children mature.
Ngunit may magandang nangyayari habang sila ay lumalaki at nagiging mas mature.
They begin to understand their parents.
Nagsisimula nilang maunawaan ang kanilang mga magulang.
They begin to appreciate what their parents have done for them.
Nagsisimula nilang pahalagahan ang mga ginawa ng kanilang mga magulang para sa kanila.
They begin to love them more deeply.
Mas lumalalim ang kanilang pagmamahal sa kanilang mga magulang.
And eventually they may choose to do what is right, not simply because they are commanded to do it.
At kalaunan ay pinipili nilang gawin ang tama, hindi lamang dahil inutusan silang gawin iyon.
They do it because they love their parents.
Ginagawa nila iyon dahil mahal nila ang kanilang mga magulang.
That is the kind of relationship Jesus wants with us.
Ganitong uri ng relasyon ang nais ni Jesus na magkaroon tayo sa Kanya.
Jesus said in John 14:15
:
KJV
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
TLA
15 »Ustedes demostrarán que me aman, si cumplen mis mandamientos.
Sinabi ni Jesus sa Juan 14:15
:
KJV
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
TLA
15 »Ustedes demostrarán que me aman, si cumplen mis mandamientos.
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
“Kung iniibig ninyo Ako, tuparin ninyo ang Aking mga utos.”
Notice what comes first.
Pansinin kung ano ang nauuna.
Love.
Pag-ibig.
Jesus did not say:
Hindi sinabi ni Jesus:
“Keep My commandments so that I will love you.”
“Tuparin ninyo ang Aking mga utos upang mahalin Ko kayo.”
We love Him because He first loved us.
Iniibig natin Siya dahil Siya ang unang umibig sa atin.
And because we love Him, we desire to please Him.
At dahil mahal natin Siya, nais nating bigyan Siya ng kaluguran.
Obedience becomes the fruit of love.
Ang pagsunod ay nagiging bunga ng pag-ibig.
WHO ARE YOU WHEN NOBODY IS WATCHING?
SINO KA KAPAG WALANG NAKAKATINGIN?
Character is not simply how we behave when people are watching us.
Ang karakter ay hindi lamang kung paano tayo kumikilos kapag may mga taong nakatingin.
Character is also who we are when nobody is watching.
Ang karakter ay kung sino tayo kahit walang nakakakita.
It is easy to look Christian inside a church.
Madaling magmukhang Kristiyano sa loob ng simbahan.
It is easy to look Christian on Sabbath morning.
Madaling magmukhang Kristiyano tuwing Sabbath ng umaga.
But what happens on Sunday?
Ngunit ano ang nangyayari tuwing Linggo?
What happens on Monday?
Ano ang nangyayari tuwing Lunes?
What happens when we are alone?
Ano ang nangyayari kapag tayo ay nag-iisa?
What happens when we use our phone and nobody can see the screen?
Ano ang ginagawa natin sa ating telepono kapag walang nakakakita sa screen?
What happens when our parents are not present?
Ano ang ginagawa natin kapag wala ang ating mga magulang?
What happens when our church friends are not around?
Ano ang ginagawa natin kapag wala ang ating mga kaibigan sa iglesia?
We must not become Seventh-day Adventists only on the seventh day.
Hindi tayo dapat maging Seventh-day Adventist lamang sa ikapitong araw.
We should be Adventists seven days a week.
Dapat tayong maging Adventista pitong araw sa isang linggo.
Jesus does not want one version of us at church and another version everywhere else.
Hindi nais ni Jesus na iba tayo sa iglesia at iba naman tayo sa ibang lugar.
James 1:8
says:
KJV
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
TLA
7-8 La gente que no es confiable ni capaz de tomar buenas decisiones no recibirá nada del Señor.
Sinasabi sa Santiago 1:8
:
KJV
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
TLA
7-8 La gente que no es confiable ni capaz de tomar buenas decisiones no recibirá nada del Señor.
“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
“Ang taong may dalawang pag-iisip ay hindi matatag sa lahat ng kanyang mga lakad.”
God wants the whole heart.
Nais ng Diyos ang buong puso natin.
Jesus also gave a very unusual warning in Luke 11:34-35
:
KJV
34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.
35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.
TLA
34 Los ojos de una persona son como una lámpara que alumbra su cuerpo. Por eso, si miran con ojos sinceros y amables, la luz entrará en su vida. Pero si sus ojos son envidiosos y orgullosos, vivirán en completa oscuridad.
35 Así que, tengan cuidado, no dejen que se apague la luz de su vida.
Nagbigay rin si Jesus ng isang kakaibang babala sa Lucas 11:34-35
:
KJV
34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.
35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.
TLA
34 Los ojos de una persona son como una lámpara que alumbra su cuerpo. Por eso, si miran con ojos sinceros y amables, la luz entrará en su vida. Pero si sus ojos son envidiosos y orgullosos, vivirán en completa oscuridad.
35 Así que, tengan cuidado, no dejen que se apague la luz de su vida.
“The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.”
“Ang ilaw ng katawan ay ang mata. Kaya kapag malinaw ang iyong mata, ang buong katawan mo ay puno rin ng liwanag; ngunit kapag masama ang iyong mata, ang iyong katawan ay puno rin ng kadiliman.”
“Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.”
“Kaya mag-ingat ka na ang liwanag na nasa iyo ay huwag maging kadiliman.”
That is serious.
Napakaseryoso niyan.
Sometimes we can become comfortable with something for so long that we begin calling it good.
Kung minsan ay nasasanay tayo sa isang bagay hanggang sa tawagin na natin itong mabuti.
We may say:
Maaaring sabihin natin:
“Everyone does it.”
“Ginagawa naman ito ng lahat.”
“There is nothing wrong with it.”
“Wala namang masama rito.”
“It does not affect me.”
“Hindi naman ako naaapektuhan nito.”
But the important question is not:
Ngunit ang mahalagang tanong ay hindi:
“What does everyone else think?”
“Ano ang iniisip ng ibang tao?”
The question is:
Ang tanong ay:
“What does God think?”
“Ano ang iniisip ng Diyos?”
We need the Bible and the Holy Spirit to examine our lives.
Kailangan natin ang Biblia at ang Banal na Espiritu upang suriin ang ating buhay.
And when God shows us something that needs to change, we should not resist Him.
At kapag ipinakita sa atin ng Diyos na may kailangang baguhin, hindi natin Siya dapat labanan.
We should say:
Dapat nating sabihin:
“Lord, help me change.”
“Panginoon, tulungan Mo akong magbago.”
BE LIGHT
MAGING LIWANAG
Jesus said in Matthew 5:14
:
KJV
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
TLA
14 »Ustedes son como una luz que ilumina a todos. Son como una ciudad construida en la parte más alta de un cerro y que todos pueden ver.
Sinabi ni Jesus sa Mateo 5:14
:
KJV
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
TLA
14 »Ustedes son como una luz que ilumina a todos. Son como una ciudad construida en la parte más alta de un cerro y que todos pueden ver.
“Ye are the light of the world.”
“Kayo ang ilaw ng sanlibutan.”
And in Matthew 5:16
:
KJV
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
TLA
16 De la misma manera, la conducta de ustedes debe ser como una luz que ilumine y muestre cómo se obedece a Dios. Hagan buenas acciones. Así los demás las verán y alabarán a Dios, el Padre de ustedes que está en el cielo.
At sa Mateo 5:16
:
KJV
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
TLA
16 De la misma manera, la conducta de ustedes debe ser como una luz que ilumine y muestre cómo se obedece a Dios. Hagan buenas acciones. Así los demás las verán y alabarán a Dios, el Padre de ustedes que está en el cielo.
“Let your light so shine before men.”
“Paliwanagin ninyo ang inyong ilaw sa harap ng mga tao.”
Our lives affect other people.
Ang ating buhay ay nakaaapekto sa ibang tao.
Young people watch other young people.
Pinagmamasdan ng mga kabataan ang ibang kabataan.
Children watch adults.
Pinagmamasdan ng mga bata ang mga matatanda.
Non-Christians watch Christians.
Pinagmamasdan ng mga hindi Kristiyano ang mga Kristiyano.
People notice the way we speak.
Napapansin ng mga tao kung paano tayo magsalita.
They notice the way we treat others.
Napapansin nila kung paano natin tratuhin ang ibang tao.
They notice what we value.
Napapansin nila kung ano ang mahalaga sa atin.
They notice what we laugh at.
Napapansin nila kung ano ang pinagtatawanan natin.
They notice how we behave when things go wrong.
Napapansin nila kung paano tayo kumikilos kapag may problema.
We should never simply ask:
Hindi lamang natin dapat itanong:
“Can I get away with this?”
“Makakalusot ba ako rito?”
A Christian should ask:
Dapat itanong ng isang Kristiyano:
“Will this honour Jesus?”
“Magbibigay ba ito ng karangalan kay Jesus?”
And:
At:
“Could my example lead another person closer to God, or further away?”
“Ang halimbawa ko ba ay maglalapit sa ibang tao sa Diyos, o maglalayo sa kanila?”
That is a high calling.
Mataas na pagkatawag iyan.
Not because we save ourselves through perfect behaviour.
Hindi dahil inililigtas natin ang ating sarili sa pamamagitan ng perpektong pag-uugali.
We are saved only through Jesus Christ.
Tayo ay naliligtas lamang sa pamamagitan ni Jesu-Cristo.
But because people should be able to see something of Jesus in us.
Ngunit dapat ay may makita ang mga tao na katangian ni Jesus sa atin.
YOUR ABILITY IS NOT ALWAYS YOUR CALLING
ANG KAKAYAHAN MO AY HINDI LAGING IYON ANG TAWAG NG DIYOS SA IYO
There is another lesson I want to share with you.
May isa pa akong aral na nais ibahagi sa inyo.
Being good at something does not automatically mean that God wants you to build your life around it.
Ang pagiging mahusay sa isang bagay ay hindi awtomatikong nangangahulugang iyon ang nais ng Diyos na maging sentro ng iyong buhay.
You may be good at music.
Maaaring mahusay ka sa musika.
You may be good at sport.
Maaaring mahusay ka sa palakasan.
You may be good at art.
Maaaring mahusay ka sa sining.
You may be good with technology.
Maaaring mahusay ka sa teknolohiya.
You may be good at business.
Maaaring mahusay ka sa negosyo.
You may be good at speaking.
Maaaring mahusay ka sa pagsasalita.
An ability can be a wonderful blessing.
Ang isang kakayahan ay maaaring maging napakagandang pagpapala.
But even a good ability can become a distraction if it takes us away from God's purpose.
Ngunit kahit ang isang mabuting kakayahan ay maaaring maging sagabal kung inilalayo tayo nito sa layunin ng Diyos.
1 Corinthians 10:31
says:
KJV
31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
TLA
31 Siempre que ustedes coman o beban, o hagan cualquier otra cosa, háganlo para honrar a Dios.
Sinasabi sa 1 Corinto 10:31:
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
“Kaya kung kayo man ay kumakain, umiinom, o anuman ang inyong ginagawa, gawin ninyo ang lahat para sa kaluwalhatian ng Diyos.”
So the important question is not only:
Kaya ang mahalagang tanong ay hindi lamang:
“What am I good at?”
“Saan ako mahusay?”
The better question is:
Ang mas mahalagang tanong ay:
“Lord, what do You want me to do?”
“Panginoon, ano ang nais Mong gawin ko?”
Sometimes God may use your greatest ability.
Kung minsan ay gagamitin ng Diyos ang pinakamalakas mong kakayahan.
Sometimes He may surprise you and ask you to do something you never believed you could do.
Ngunit kung minsan ay gugulatin ka Niya at hihilingin sa iyo na gawin ang isang bagay na hindi mo inakalang kaya mong gawin.
I know this from personal experience.
Alam ko ito mula sa sarili kong karanasan.
JUST SAY YES TO GOD
SABIHIN LANG ANG OO SA DIYOS
Around 2012, my life changed dramatically.
Noong bandang 2012, malaki ang naging pagbabago sa buhay ko.
For several years, much of my time had been devoted to helping care for my little daughter Alekksis, who had very special needs.
Sa loob ng ilang taon, malaking bahagi ng oras ko ang ginugol ko sa pagtulong sa pag-aalaga sa aking munting anak na si Alekksis, na may mga espesyal na pangangailangan.
After she passed away, suddenly I had time that I had not had before.
Pagkatapos niyang pumanaw, bigla akong nagkaroon ng oras na dati ay wala ako.
I could have simply filled that time with other things.
Maaari ko sanang punuin lamang ang oras na iyon ng ibang mga bagay.
But I made a commitment to God.
Ngunit gumawa ako ng isang pangako sa Diyos.
It was very simple.
Napakasimple nito.
I told Him:
Sinabi ko sa Kanya:
“If You give me something to do for You, I will try to say yes.”
“Kung bibigyan Mo ako ng isang bagay na gagawin para sa Iyo, sisikapin kong magsabi ng oo.”
Around the same time, I was studying a business course.
Sa panahon ding iyon, nag-aaral ako sa isang business course.
Someone told me that I would probably have great difficulty becoming successful in business.
May nagsabi sa akin na maaaring mahirapan akong maging matagumpay sa negosyo.
Why?
Bakit?
Because of the way I speak.
Dahil sa paraan ng aking pagsasalita.
I was born in Chile and grew up there until I was twelve.
Ipinanganak ako sa Chile at lumaki roon hanggang sa edad na labindalawa.
Then I grew up in Australia.
Pagkatapos ay lumaki ako sa Australia.
So my accent became an unusual mixture of Spanish and Australian English.
Kaya ang aking accent ay naging kakaibang halo ng Spanish at Australian English.
And I also have a tendency to speak very quickly!
At may ugali rin akong magsalita nang napakabilis!
I was told that people might have difficulty understanding me.
Sinabi sa akin na maaaring mahirapan ang mga tao na maintindihan ako.
So according to human wisdom, speaking was probably not going to be one of my great strengths.
Kaya ayon sa karunungan ng tao, maaaring hindi pagsasalita ang isa sa aking pinakamalakas na kakayahan.
Then something happened.
Pagkatapos ay may nangyari.
Within about a week, I went to church.
Makalipas lamang ang halos isang linggo, nagpunta ako sa iglesia.
And someone asked me:
At may nagtanong sa akin:
“Would you take the adult Sabbath School lesson?”
“Maaari mo bang pangunahan ang Sabbath School lesson ng mga matatanda?”
Now remember what I had just told God.
Ngayon, tandaan ninyo ang sinabi ko sa Diyos.
I had said:
Sinabi ko:
“If You ask me to do something, I will say yes.”
“Kung may ipagagawa Ka sa akin, magsasabi ako ng oo.”
So what could I say?
Kaya ano pa ang maaari kong sabihin?
I said:
Sinabi ko:
“Yes.”
“Oo.”
Then I discovered who would be sitting in the Sabbath School class.
Pagkatapos ay nalaman ko kung sino-sino ang uupo sa Sabbath School class.
There were retired pastors.
May mga retiradong pastor.
There were experienced church leaders.
May mga lider ng iglesia na maraming karanasan.
There were people who knew the Bible very well.
May mga taong napakahusay sa Biblia.
And now I was supposed to teach them!
At ngayon, ako ang magtuturo sa kanila!
I spent more than twenty hours preparing that first lesson.
Mahigit dalawampung oras ang ginugol ko sa paghahanda para sa unang lesson na iyon.
As the time came closer, I was nervous.
Habang papalapit ang oras, lalo akong kinakabahan.
I had butterflies.
Parang may mga paru-paro sa aking tiyan.
I was shaking.
Nanginginig ako.
But I had said yes.
Ngunit nagsabi na ako ng oo.
And God came through.
At tinulungan ako ng Diyos.
The lesson went well.
Naging maayos ang lesson.
Then I was asked to teach again.
Pagkatapos ay hiniling sa akin na magturo muli.
Later I was asked to help with another Sabbath School class.
Kalaunan ay hiniling sa akin na tumulong sa isa pang Sabbath School class.
This class was for newcomers from the community.
Ang class na ito ay para sa mga bagong dating mula sa komunidad.
Some of the people were going through very difficult lives.
Ang ilan sa kanila ay dumaraan sa napakahirap na kalagayan sa buhay.
Some had struggled with drugs and other serious problems.
Ang ilan ay nakipaglaban sa problema sa droga at iba pang mabibigat na suliranin.
But they responded positively to the Bible lessons.
Ngunit maganda ang kanilang pagtanggap sa mga aralin sa Biblia.
Some even asked the pastor if I could continue teaching them.
Ang ilan ay humiling pa sa pastor na ipagpatuloy ko ang pagtuturo sa kanila.
Then another door opened.
Pagkatapos ay may isa pang pintong binuksan.
A group of men asked me to conduct Bible studies on Sabbath afternoons.
May grupo ng mga lalaki na humiling sa akin na magsagawa ng Bible study tuwing Sabbath ng hapon.
I said yes again.
Muli akong nagsabi ng oo.
Those studies grew.
Lumago ang mga pag-aaral na iyon.
Eventually they became a Bible school.
Kalaunan ay naging isang Bible school ang mga ito.
People from the community came.
Dumating ang mga tao mula sa komunidad.
Young people became involved.
Nakibahagi ang mga kabataan.
Others began helping.
Nagsimula ring tumulong ang ibang mga tao.
Then other doors opened.
Pagkatapos ay nagbukas pa ang ibang mga pinto.
I began preaching in different churches.
Nagsimula akong mangaral sa iba't ibang mga iglesia.
And now, many years later, I find myself standing here in another country, sharing God's Word—
At ngayon, makalipas ang maraming taon, narito ako sa ibang bansa, ibinabahagi ang Salita ng Diyos—
with a translator!
kasama ang isang tagapagsalin!
Think about that.
Pag-isipan ninyo iyan.
I was told that my accent might stop people understanding me.
Sinabi sa akin noon na maaaring maging hadlang ang aking accent upang maunawaan ako ng mga tao.
But God did not wait for me to have the perfect voice.
Ngunit hindi hinintay ng Diyos na magkaroon ako ng perpektong boses.
He asked whether I was willing to use the voice I already had.
Ang mahalaga sa Kanya ay kung handa akong gamitin ang boses na mayroon na ako.
That taught me something very important.
May napakahalaga akong natutuhan mula roon.
Availability can be more important than ability.
Ang pagiging handang magpagamit sa Diyos ay maaaring mas mahalaga kaysa sa kakayahan.
If you make yourself available to God, He can open doors you never imagined.
Kung gagawin mong handa ang iyong sarili para gamitin ng Diyos, maaari Siyang magbukas ng mga pintong hindi mo kailanman inakala.
You do not have to be the most talented person.
Hindi mo kailangang maging pinaka-talented na tao.
You do not have to be the smartest person.
Hindi mo kailangang maging pinakamatalinong tao.
You do not have to be the best speaker.
Hindi mo kailangang maging pinakamahusay na tagapagsalita.
Sometimes God simply needs someone who is willing to say:
Kung minsan, ang kailangan lamang ng Diyos ay isang taong handang magsabi:
“Here am I; send me.”
“Narito ako; suguin Mo ako.”
-- Isaiah 6:8
KJV
8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
TLA
8 Enseguida oí la voz de Dios que decía: «¿A quién voy a enviar? ¿Quién será mi mensajero? »Yo respondí: «Envíame a mí, yo seré tu mensajero».
-- Isaias 6:8
KJV
8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
TLA
8 Enseguida oí la voz de Dios que decía: «¿A quién voy a enviar? ¿Quién será mi mensajero? »Yo respondí: «Envíame a mí, yo seré tu mensajero».
DO NOT WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW
HUWAG MAGHINTAY HANGGANG BUKAS
Maybe the Holy Spirit is already speaking to you about something today.
Marahil ay may isang bagay nang sinasabi sa iyo ang Banal na Espiritu ngayon.
Maybe there is something you need to surrender.
Marahil may isang bagay kang kailangang isuko.
Maybe there is a habit that needs to change.
Marahil may isang ugali na kailangang baguhin.
Maybe there is someone you need to forgive.
Marahil may isang taong kailangan mong patawarin.
Maybe there is dishonesty that needs to stop.
Marahil may kawalan ng katapatan na kailangang itigil.
Maybe there is pride.
Marahil ay may pagmamataas.
Maybe there is anger.
Marahil ay may galit.
Maybe there is something you watch that you already know is not helping your relationship with God.
Marahil may isang bagay kang pinapanood na alam mo nang hindi nakatutulong sa iyong relasyon sa Diyos.
Maybe God has given you an ability that needs to be surrendered to Him.
Marahil ay binigyan ka ng Diyos ng kakayahan na kailangan mong isuko sa Kanya.
Or maybe God has been calling you to do something and you keep saying:
O marahil ay matagal ka nang tinatawag ng Diyos na gumawa ng isang bagay ngunit patuloy mong sinasabi:
“Not yet.”
“Hindi pa.”
Do not keep saying:
Huwag mong patuloy na sabihin:
“Tomorrow.”
“Bukas na.”
There is a Christian song called Tomorrow.
May isang awiting Kristiyano na ang pamagat ay Tomorrow.
It asks a very important question.
Nagtatanong ito ng isang napakahalagang tanong.
Who promised you tomorrow?
Sino ang nangako sa iyo na mayroon ka pang bukas?
Nobody has.
Wala.
But God has given you today.
Ngunit ibinigay sa iyo ng Diyos ang araw na ito.
Ellen White wrote:
Isinulat ni Ellen White:
“One day alone is ours; and, during this day, we are to live for God.”
“Isang araw lamang ang nasa atin; at sa araw na ito, dapat tayong mamuhay para sa Diyos.”
Think about that.
Pag-isipan ninyo iyan.
One day.
Isang araw.
Today.
Ngayon.
You do not need to carry tomorrow's spiritual battles today.
Hindi mo kailangang dalhin ngayon ang mga espirituwal na laban para sa bukas.
God will give tomorrow's grace tomorrow.
Ibibigay ng Diyos ang biyaya para sa bukas kapag dumating ang bukas.
But today we must surrender today's life.
Ngunit ngayon, kailangan nating isuko sa Diyos ang buhay natin ngayon.
And if God gives us another day tomorrow, we surrender again.
At kung bibigyan tayo ng Diyos ng isa pang araw bukas, muli tayong susuko sa Kanya.
Day by day.
Araw-araw.
Moment by moment.
Sa bawat sandali.
Step by step.
Hakbang-hakbang.
WE CANNOT DO IT ALONE
HINDI NATIN ITO KAYANG GAWIN NANG MAG-ISA
Perhaps someone is thinking:
Marahil may nag-iisip:
“This sounds impossible.”
“Parang imposible ito.”
And by ourselves, it is impossible.
At kung tayo lamang, imposible talaga ito.
We cannot make our own hearts holy.
Hindi natin kayang gawing banal ang sarili nating puso.
We cannot manufacture the character of Jesus.
Hindi natin kayang likhain sa sarili nating lakas ang karakter ni Jesus.
We cannot overcome every temptation by simply trying harder.
Hindi natin mapagtatagumpayan ang bawat tukso sa pamamagitan lamang ng mas matinding pagsisikap.
Christ changes the heart.
Si Cristo ang nagbabago ng puso.
We maintain our connection with Him through faith and continual surrender.
Pinananatili natin ang ating kaugnayan sa Kanya sa pamamagitan ng pananampalataya at patuloy na pagsuko.
Then He works in us.
Pagkatapos ay gumagawa Siya sa atin.
As we look to Christ, our character is developed into His likeness.
Habang tumitingin tayo kay Cristo, ang ating karakter ay nahuhubog upang maging katulad ng Kanya.
That is why we need prayer.
Iyan ang dahilan kung bakit kailangan natin ang panalangin.
That is why we need the Bible.
Iyan ang dahilan kung bakit kailangan natin ang Biblia.
That is why we need the Holy Spirit.
Iyan ang dahilan kung bakit kailangan natin ang Banal na Espiritu.
That is why we need Jesus every day.
Iyan ang dahilan kung bakit kailangan natin si Jesus araw-araw.
Christian perfection is not independence from Christ.
Ang Kristiyanong kasakdalan ay hindi nangangahulugang hindi na natin kailangan si Cristo.
It is exactly the opposite.
Ito ay eksaktong kabaligtaran.
The closer we grow to Christ, the more completely we depend upon Him.
Habang lalo tayong lumalapit kay Cristo, lalo tayong nagiging lubos na umaasa sa Kanya.
Philippians 4:13
says:
KJV
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
TLA
13 Cristo me da fuerzas para enfrentarme a toda clase de situaciones.
Sinasabi sa Filipos 4:13:
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
“Magagawa ko ang lahat ng bagay sa pamamagitan ni Cristo na nagpapalakas sa akin.”
DEATH IS NOT THE END
ANG KAMATAYAN AY HINDI ANG WAKAS
And there is another important truth.
At may isa pang mahalagang katotohanan.
For the Christian, death is not the end.
Para sa Kristiyano, ang kamatayan ay hindi ang wakas.
The Bible describes death as a sleep.
Inilalarawan ng Biblia ang kamatayan bilang pagtulog.
When Lazarus died, Jesus said:
Nang mamatay si Lazaro, sinabi ni Jesus:
“Our friend Lazarus sleepeth.”
“Ang ating kaibigang si Lazaro ay natutulog.”
-- John 11:11
KJV
11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
TLA
10-11 Pero si camina de noche, tropieza porque le hace falta la luz. Nuestro amigo Lázaro está dormido, y yo voy a despertarlo.
-- Juan 11:11
KJV
11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
TLA
10-11 Pero si camina de noche, tropieza porque le hace falta la luz. Nuestro amigo Lázaro está dormido, y yo voy a despertarlo.
Paul also wrote about those who sleep in Jesus.
Sumulat din si Pablo tungkol sa mga natutulog kay Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 4:13
says:
KJV
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
TLA
13 Hermanos míos, queremos que sepan lo que en verdad pasa con los que mueren, para que no se pongan tristes, como los que no tienen esperanza.
Sinasabi sa 1 Tesalonica 4:13:
“I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.”
“Hindi namin nais na kayo ay maging walang kaalaman tungkol sa mga natutulog, upang hindi kayo malungkot na gaya ng ibang walang pag-asa.”
The Bible promises that when Jesus returns, those who have died in Christ will rise again.
Ipinapangako ng Biblia na kapag bumalik si Jesus, ang mga namatay kay Cristo ay muling bubuhayin.
That is our hope.
Iyan ang ating pag-asa.
So this message is not:
Kaya ang mensaheng ito ay hindi:
“Be frightened because you might die.”
“Matakot ka dahil maaari kang mamatay.”
The message is:
Ang mensahe ay:
“Live with Jesus today because He has promised you eternity.”
“Mamuhay kasama si Jesus ngayon dahil ipinangako Niya sa iyo ang buhay na walang hanggan.”
Death may end our opportunity to develop our character.
Maaaring wakasan ng kamatayan ang ating pagkakataong hubugin ang ating karakter.
But death cannot destroy the promise of God.
Ngunit hindi kayang sirain ng kamatayan ang pangako ng Diyos.
Jesus said in John 11:25
:
KJV
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
TLA
25 A esto Jesús respondió: — Yo soy el que da la vida y el que hace que los muertos vuelvan a vivir. Quien pone su confianza en mí, aunque muera, vivirá.
Sinabi ni Jesus sa Juan 11:25
:
KJV
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
TLA
25 A esto Jesús respondió: — Yo soy el que da la vida y el que hace que los muertos vuelvan a vivir. Quien pone su confianza en mí, aunque muera, vivirá.
“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”
“Ako ang muling pagkabuhay at ang buhay. Ang sumasampalataya sa Akin, bagaman siya ay mamatay, ay mabubuhay.”
THE APPEAL
ANG PANAWAGAN
So I want to finish with a few simple questions.
Kaya nais kong magtapos sa ilang simpleng tanong.
What has God taught you up to today?
Ano ang itinuro sa iyo ng Diyos hanggang sa araw na ito?
Are you being faithful to that light?
Nagiging tapat ka ba sa liwanag na iyon?
What is God asking you to surrender today?
Ano ang hinihiling ng Diyos na isuko mo ngayon?
Is there something in your spiritual house that needs to be put in order?
Mayroon bang kailangang ayusin sa iyong espirituwal na buhay?
Are you the same Christian when nobody is watching?
Pareho ka bang Kristiyano kahit walang nakakakita?
Are you an Adventist only on Sabbath?
Adventista ka lamang ba tuwing Sabbath?
Or are you following Jesus seven days a week?
O sinusunod mo ba si Jesus pitong araw sa isang linggo?
Is there something God has been asking you to do?
Mayroon bang isang bagay na matagal nang hinihiling ng Diyos na gawin mo?
Have you been saying:
Patuloy mo bang sinasabi:
“Maybe later”?
“Siguro mamaya na”?
Maybe today you need to say:
Marahil ngayon ay kailangan mong sabihin:
“Yes.”
“Oo.”
You may not feel talented enough.
Maaaring pakiramdam mo ay kulang ang iyong talento.
You may not feel prepared enough.
Maaaring pakiramdam mo ay hindi ka pa handa.
You may not feel strong enough.
Maaaring pakiramdam mo ay hindi ka sapat na malakas.
That is okay.
Ayos lang iyon.
God is not asking you to save yourself.
Hindi hinihiling ng Diyos na iligtas mo ang iyong sarili.
He is asking you to give yourself to Him.
Hinihiling Niya na ibigay mo ang iyong sarili sa Kanya.
Jesus forgives the past.
Pinatatawad ni Jesus ang nakaraan.
Jesus changes the present.
Binabago ni Jesus ang kasalukuyan.
Jesus gives strength for today.
Nagbibigay si Jesus ng lakas para sa araw na ito.
And Jesus prepares us for eternity.
At inihahanda tayo ni Jesus para sa walang hanggan.
Your life is precious.
Mahalaga ang iyong buhay.
Your time is precious.
Mahalaga ang iyong oras.
Your influence is precious.
Mahalaga ang iyong impluwensiya.
And your character is being formed now.
At ang iyong karakter ay hinuhubog ngayon.
So do not give God only your Sabbaths.
Kaya huwag ibigay sa Diyos ang iyong mga Sabbath lamang.
Do not give God only the parts of your life that other people can see.
Huwag ibigay sa Diyos ang mga bahagi lamang ng iyong buhay na nakikita ng ibang tao.
Do not give Him only your future plans.
Huwag ibigay sa Kanya ang mga plano mo lamang para sa hinaharap.
Give Him your whole heart.
Ibigay mo sa Kanya ang buong puso mo.
Give Him your abilities.
Ibigay mo sa Kanya ang iyong mga kakayahan.
Give Him your weaknesses.
Ibigay mo sa Kanya ang iyong mga kahinaan.
Give Him your time.
Ibigay mo sa Kanya ang iyong oras.
Give Him your today.
Ibigay mo sa Kanya ang iyong ngayon.
And tomorrow, if God gives you another day—
At bukas, kung bibigyan ka ng Diyos ng panibagong araw—
give Him that day too.
ibigay mo rin sa Kanya ang araw na iyon.