Afterlife: The Life After Death

Afterlife 1

Life After Death

by Daniel Carandang

written by Kathy Raga

(Listen to the message while you read! Click here :D)

What do you fear the most? Some people may give obvious answers like insects,heights and whatever phobias they have.However,looking deep down in our hearts, we fear death. The uncertainty of our LIFE AFTER DEATH. 

People have different views about afterlife. Here are some examples: 

*annihilation 

When you die then it's the end of you. There is no heaven nor hell. Naturally, there is no afterlife and God. 

*reincarnation 

When we die,we will be reborn to another creature depending on how we live our past life. So if you are bad,then there is a big chance that you will be reincarnated as a cockroach. 

*compensation 

Death is like a roadtrip. There will be stopovers. 

After reading all of these, a question may bother us. So what is going to happen to us when we die?q 

This is how God views the afterlife:

22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.

Luke 16:22-23 

Death doesn't end everything. When we die, we will still live on. THERE IS A LIFE AFTER DEATH. THERE IS AFTERLIFE. 

We are spiritual beings. This is the reason why we will still go on after our life here on Earth is finished. It doesn't matter if you are rich poor,good or bad, we are all going to live after we die. 

THERE ARE ONLY 2 DESTINATIONS IN THE AFTERLIFE. 

Contrary to what our traditional religion teaches us,we only have 2 destinations when we die. There is NO option. When we die, we are either going to heaven or hell. 

This gives way to a fresh batch of questions.:

1. Are ghosts real? 

Ghosts are spiritual beings. Those spiritual beings are the angels and demons. They are our guardians here on earth. So ghosts are not real, they are the evil spirits sent to deceive us.

2. Are ghosts the spirit of our dead relatives? 

In Hebrews 9:27, it says:

27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,

We will just die ONCE then we will face judgment. Our dead relatives are already in heaven or hell. There is 0% chance that they are here,lingering on Earth. 

3. Will praying for my dead relatives do somethingz for their spiritual beings? 

Our traditional religion leads us to believe that we can do something for them. In reality, we cant there is a big chasm or gap between heaven and hell. Those who are suffering from the clutches of the Enemy CANNOT go to heaven and vice-versa. 

WHEN WE DIE, OUR ETERNAL DESTINIES ARE SEALED,SECURE IT BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE 

We still have time to change and follow the right thing. There is a way to be saved from the eternal suffering in hell. 

Do you want to know the solution? 

God gave us the solution 2000 years ago. 

JESUS CHRIST IS THE WAY FOR US TO BE SAVED FROM HELL. 

So what are you waiting for? Talk to God and asked Him for forgiveness. 

Remember this: If you take slow steps towards God,then God will hurriedly run towards you.

All Of Me: Idol Free!

All Of Me 3

Idol Free!

by Daniel Carandang

written by Sheresh Eunice Cortes

[Listen to the preaching here:All Of Me 3]

Whether we’re aware of it or not, there is a constant battle we are facing in our lives every day. It’s not just about the competition in our school or workplace, or the war in different parts of the world. But more than that, there is a more serious battle we all experience – and that is the spiritual contention of what or who takes the ultimate place in our hearts.

Idolatry is something others take lightly, or do unconsciously, when in truth it is very destructive. Most of the time, we relate money to idolatry but there is more to it than just that. It takes on so many forms such as studies, friends, career, religious saints and even family. Idolatry is when something or someone takes the place of God in our lives.

What’s so bad about idolatry and why should we be careful not to commit idolatry? Let us take a closer scrutiny on the following verses:

“And God spoke all these words: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.”

Exodus 20: 1-6

In this context, God has just delivered the Israelites from their slavery in Egypt. They were now journeying through the desert, and at this point in time, they were at the foot of Mount Sinai, where God was about to make an agreement with them. An agreement that if they will live like the chosen people God was calling them to be, they would be a model people (holy and set apart), the people through whom other nations would come to know God.

In these verses above, God, as He was preparing them for this, was giving them the first two commandments of what we know as the 10 commandments which were supposed to be the set of guidelines they were to live by that would set them apart from all other pagan nations around them.

“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me.”

Exodus 20: 1-3

God sent 10 plagues, each one a corresponding god that the Egyptians looked up to. Through these plagues, God was telling them that all these images that they considered “gods” were impotent, fake, and does not have the power to stop Him from delivering His people. The Israelites saw this display of power and when they were finally delivered from Egypt, God was telling them, “I am the REAL GOD” “I was the One who delivered you from your slavery in Egypt. So now stop worshipping other so called gods. I am to be your One and Only.”

“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them”

Exodus 20: 4-5

God commanded us not to make any forms of idols in our lives. The most obvious one would be the religious images, or the statues that some people bow down to. Some people pray to these images, putting their trust in them for granting their needs… at times, they would even say “pray for us” after uttering the image’s name.

As what was mentioned earlier, idolatry takes on so many forms. It is more than just bowing down to images. Unconsciously, some of us commit idolatry by making things our idols. It could be money, studies, career, a person. When we look up to something or someone to meet our needs which God is supposed to provide, it becomes idolatry. When we put our hope to this thing or person, we make them our idols.

By committing idolatry, we fail to realize that God is everything we need. The root of disappointment is when we put our faith and hope to anything or anyone less than Him. God does not need a substitute! God should be our One and Only. We should be idol-free!

Below are three points why we should be careful not to commit idolatry:

1.      Idolatry breaks the heart of God

“You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God.”

Exodus 20: 4-5

If we were to get married one day, we would want our partner to be 100% faithful to us, right? It is the same with God. Since we’ve surrendered our lives to Him, we are His. Just like a married couple, when one commits infidelity, the other gets hurt and angered. God gets righteously angered when we give away our affections and trust to anything or anyone other than Him.

Idolatry is spiritual infidelity.

It is painful to find out that we share our partner’s affections with anyone. We all want an exclusive love relationship with our partner – and that’s the same with God. He wants us all to Him. He wants an exclusive relationship with us. Once we drift away with a substitute, we leave Him in pain. He deserves our 100% faithfulness. After all, He loved and sought us still while we were yet busy with our worldly affairs.

2.      Idolatry destroys the idolater

“You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments”

Exodus 20: 4-6

The verses above do not mean you will be punished for the sins of your parents. God is a just God. It simply means that there are long term consequences, and the children can be affected by this if they walk after their parents’ example of idolatry. For example, if a person commits an idolatry of sex, he can get STD, or it can lead to a broken family and a ruined marriage. This thing could be passed on, if the child walks after his parent’s example.

Idolatry destroys the idolater by trapping him into an illusion that it can provide what the idolater needs. Idolatry keeps the idolater away from the truth that only God can satisfy his deepest longings. In the long run, the idolater will feel empty and unsatisfied for he cannot find what he truly needs in his idol.

(However, if the idolater commits to turning away from his spiritual infidelity that has destroyed him… he can always come to God, the greatest and only source of everything he needs, for restoration. And it will never be the same again.)

3.      Total devotion to God brings blessings and intimacy with Him

“You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.”

Exodus 20: 4-6

If we are committed to God, He won’t hold any good thing from us. Despite the negative things happening in the world right now, there are still happy stories around. The Lord blesses His people, those who love and obey Him. A happy and fulfilled life is brought forth by the knowledge that one has everything he needs as long as he has God. Give your total devotion to God, and let yours be another happy story.

A friend once said, “Sin is like a chocolate covered poop”. Idolatry can appear enticing and beautiful, but may we always be reminded that in truth it is just crap. God made and designed us for an exclusive relationship with Him. Let there be no any affairs in our relationship with Him. Let God take the ultimate place in our hearts, in our lives.

He should be our One and Only. We should be idol-free.

All Of Me: How Serious Are You With Christ?

All Of Me 2

How Serious Are You With Christ?

by Jeremy Sanchez

written by Ana Andres

[Listen to the preaching here: All Of Me 2]

"This is God's universe, and He does things His way. You may have a better way, but you don't have a universe." - J Vernon McGee

Many times we fail to wrap one’s mind around the idea of how big and sovereign our God is. That’s okay and that’s completely normal because as humans, it’s impossible for us to fathom completely the greatness of God. But the problem sets in when we do not acknowledge this fact and most of the time, we don’t especially when it comes to God’s authority over our lives. Even as Christians, we like the idea that God is so sovereign and big that He is able to save us but most of the time, not the idea that because God is so sovereign and big, He is to be Lord over our lives.

It says in Romans 12:1, “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him”and so basically it says that we are to give all of ourselves because He gave all of Him. Well truthfully, that’s easier said than done. Yes sure, Jesus gave all of Himself and that’s great and awesome but do I really have to give all of me? He loves and forgives anyway. It wouldn’t matter how I live.

 But you see, if that’s the kind of mindset you have, then I don’t think you understand the gravity of what Jesus has done and how profound, unfathomable even, His love is. In the preceding chapters of Romans (chapters 1-11), God’s story of relentless Grace was shown. It talked about how God saved us from our eternal doom through Jesus Christ and hence chapter 12 was the response; that after God picked us from our dark nothingness, so great and so powerful that it inevitably moves us to do whatever it takes to worship Him with our utmost being.

Aside from His loving nature, we also have to remember that He is to be feared.

“Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honor and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” 

Philippians 2:9-10

If we truly respect God and understand that He is much much bigger and mightier than us all, we will revere him. To illustrate this, imagine President P-noy visited your school and spoke to you. You would most likely be polite and show him respect perhaps more than you give to others because of his authority as President of the Philippines. How much more God, who is supernatural, who lives in unapproachable light and is surrounded by billions of angels. Let us take him seriously.

If you are serious about Jesus Christ and you’re willing to make Him Lord over your life, here are four points, derived from the acronym L.O.R.D., to guide you;

1)   L-oyal to Jesus

Loyalty is like a roller coaster ride. There will be plenty of ups and downs but you have to stick to the ride otherwise, you will fall off and die. Likewise, the Christian walk will definitely have plenty of ups and downs too but if we’re loyal to Him, He promises that we will never falter.

“I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.”

Luke 6:47-48.

2) O-bey

“If you love Me, obey My commandments.”

 John 14:15

Then again, this is something easier said than done. We are naturally born with certain desires and we are naturally rebellious. Sometimes, obeying God would literally have to mean to oppose one’s self. It’s difficult and almost unnatural but we are given the opportunity to transcend this through His love and our love for Him altogether, He will pour His Grace to which we will allow to fill our lives and this will empower us to obey Him.

Many times, we won’t understand why He would ask us to do certain things but we always have to remember that He is much bigger than us and our limited mindset. He knows better than we do and that is why we have to obey Him. It is also for our own good.

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” –

Isaiah 55:8-9

3) R-epent

To repent means to acknowledge your sins and to turn away from it. It’s very important that we acknowledge our sins. Most of the time, we justify ourselves and create reasons not to turn away from a certain thing just because we think it is what’s best for us. But then again, God knows better and His best plan is the perfect plan for you and me. Allow God to chage your thinking and turn away from what He commands us to turn away to.

4) D-ie to self

When we decided to accept Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, we also decided to surrender our lives to Him. It is no longer about us but Christ.

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. “ 

Galatians 2:20

It’s silly and it almost sounds ridiculous to give one’s life to someone but he is not just someone, He gave His life up for you and not only you but for all the human beings who ever existed and even those to exist. If you understand this profoundly and have experienced in your life the outcome of what He has done, you will be more than willing to give your life.

So what are you waiting for? A special day? A miracle? Start following Jesus now. The day is today, not tomorrow, not later, but today.

All Of Me: All Of Me, All Of His

All Of Me 1

All Of Me, All Of His

by Daniel Carandang

written by Larisse Oliveros

[Check out the podcast here: All Of Me 1]

In a relationship, we all know that one of the primary desires and expectations of people is loyalty, especially in marriages.  No one enters a marriage and desires to be cheated by his/her partner. Total commitment is desired and expected. If you get married, you expect your spouse to love you and be devoted to you, not to someone else.

In a similar way, God desires and expects us to be totally committed to him. He isn’t looking for a 50% or even a 99.9% commitment, but a 100% commitment to Him.

Whenever commitment is violated, people get hurt. Just like in any relationship, people get hurt, hearts get broken, and consequences are suffered. And that’s not what God desires for us. As we follow the design God has for our relationship with Him, we’ll bring him honor in our lives and at the same time,it will enable us to experience the full life He desires all of us to possess.

“The only permanent thing in the world is change.” –Anonymous

Economy, the in-demand jobs could be obsolete tomorrow. Technology, from pager and antenna phones to touch screen phones and Music, from Beatles to One Direction.

Things change. Are there things in your life that doesn't seem to change?

Anger, lust, greed, pride, sloth, avarice and other sins experience the consequences, and hurt the people around you thus, hurting God.

We can’t change ourselves.

We may not have the power to change ourselves, but the good news is that God has the power to change us and that He Himself – His Spirit wants to personally help and empower us to change.

Who is the Holy Spirit?

First and foremost, the Holy Spirit is a Person: He speaks, He guides and He also knows when we lie.

-     

But most importantly, the Holy Spirit is God.

“Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”

Acts 5:3-4 

Even after the Holy Spirit came, the believers were not immune to Satan’s temptations. Although Satan was defeated by Christ at the Cross, he was still actively trying to make the believers stumble – as he does today. The sin Ananias committed was not holding back part of the money, It was his choice whether or not to sell the land and how much to give. His sin was lying to God and God’s people, saying he gave the whole amount but holding some for his own and trying to make himself appear more generous than he really were. 

All lies are bad, but when we lie to try to deceive God and his people about our relationship with Him, we destroy our testimony for Christ.

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit”

Matthew 28: 19 

We worship one God, but exist in three persons. – The bible clearly teaches this, but it is a mystery we will never be able to comprehend or understand.

The Holy Spirit is God. He comes to live in all who have put their faith in Jesus as their Lord and Personal Savior.

The Holy Spirit comes alongside with us. (Side by side relationship)

Have you experienced morose? Discouraged? Heartbroken?Alone?

When Jesus was about to be arrested and crucified, the disciples’ hearts were troubled.

When you are in Quiz bee finals and you lost your most intelligent teammate or in a championship game and you lost the star-player, what would you feel?

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever the Spirit of truth.”

John 14:16-17a 

Advocate – Parakletos

This word comes from two root words: ‘Para’ (beside) and ‘kaleo’ (a verb meaning “to call”). Thus, making the literal meaning of the word “Helper” is “the One called to be beside” or the one called to come alongside believers.

Many times we turn to other people and to other things when we’re in search of comfort and encouragement. Not bad, but who is your first and foremost primary source?

People who don’t have a relationship with Jesus turn to all other things in search of comfort, encouragement, and peace. Which may include drinking, taking drugs, stress- eating, non-stop computer gaming, self-harming, and suicide.

WE SHOULD TURN TO GOD.

Turn to God and come to him whenever you are in need of comfort and encouragement! Lost? When lights go out and it is too dark, what do we grope for first? Flashlight! So there will be light to guide us in the dark.

In the same way, the Holy Spirit leads and guides us through life.

In his letter to the Christians in Galatia, Paul gave them the secret to overcoming the sinful nature. How many of you are still tempted?  To cheat, look lustfully; look at porn, gossip, burst out in anger?

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

Galatians 5:16,17, 25 

Walk by the Spirit meaning live by and keep in step with the Spirit constantly. As Christians, we are called to keep in step with the Holy Spirit. We need to surrender and listen.

The Holy Spirit communicates with us.

When you are taking an exam and you didn’t study. You can resort to cheating so that you won’t fail. Your conscience will bother you, leaving you in a rather uncomfortable feeling. You say something wrong. Then you’ll be burdened to take it back and ask for forgiveness.

 “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life”

Proverbs 4:23

It depends on the things you allow into your heart. These things form your thoughts and attitudes shape the deepest part of your being. No matter what your circumstances are, if your heart is right, you're going to be okay.But if the wrong things in our hearts go unattended, they will become deeply rooted and harder to deal with. You have to constantly be working with the Holy Spirit to keep your heart right.

Sin has consequences. Even if we’re secured in our eternal destiny, we will face consequences. And if we allow ourselves to be weak, we can commit sins.

God did not make us as robots. We could actually quench and grieve the Holy Spirit, but we will not experience His power and we will suffer the consequences of our sins.

“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,”

Ephesians 5:18

After making known to them the spiritual blessings given to them by God, and reminding them that He mercifully forgave them, Paul was telling the Christians in Ephesus that they should be imitators of God, live for Him, and in days of evil make the most out of every opportunity to honor God.

Do you want to be Loving like God? Even to people who are not easy to love?

Do you want to be Truthful like God? Even in the midst of peer pressure?

Do you want to be Compassionate like God? Even if we are bent being selfish?

Do not be controlled by wine it will lead to excessive sinning and will ruin your life! Instead, be totally controlled by the Holy Spirit. Be totally sensitive and surrender to the Holy Spirit, moment by moment.Slowly then fully.

Elevate Anniv 2014: Answer That Call

Answer the Call

by Daniel Carandang

written by Hannah Repotente

Elevate Alabang celebrated its 3^rd year anniversary last October 11, 2014. The whole area including the 5^th floor was crowded as a record breaking 1,400+ people attended the event and over 200 students signed up to be plugged into dgroups. For the past three years, God has tremendously blessed Elevate and the lives of every attendee. It is truly God who was able to build the movement to where it is now! All glory to God!

“Ano ang isang hinahanap mo ngayon and why?”

This questions comes every so often. Some of us might be looking for their passion in life. Some might be looking for the right circle of friends. Others might be looking for money to buy the new Iphone 6, or others might be looking for their special someone to spend their forever with. All of us desire different things but one things is for sure; we look for things that are valuable to us.

This is the same with God. He is continually seeking us out because we are important to Him. Like someone courting a girl, He is also courting us, to present His love and to receive ours. No matter how many times you reject Him, His love will never die. He is always at your doorstep, waiting to receive your “Yes”. That’s how much He loves you.

To further understand this point, let’s dive into the story of Zacchaeus the Tax Collector and see the depth of God’s love.

“Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.  A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.”

                                                                                                                                           Luke 19:1-2

During these days, tax collectors were rude, selfish, and would charge unreasonable amounts so they can keep the money beyond their quota. If you remember the girl in the Amalayer video (Paula Salvosa), then you would know that at that time that she was one of the most hated people in our country. The same with the tax collectors; they were the most hated people in Israel. Now Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector, making him the worst of the worst, but a person like him is the one Jesus chose to have an encounter with.

“He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd.So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.”

                                                                                                                                    Luke 19:3-4

Now Jesus was very popular because of His uncanny ability to heal sicknesses; He can even raise people back from the dead! Now for Zacchaeus, his desire to see Jesus wasn’t ordinary curiosity. He desperately wanted to see Him; he even climbed a tree to get a better view! He didn’t care about what people would think; he so badly wanted to see Jesus at all costs!

No one really knows why Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, but perhaps, he was looking for love and acceptance. He was hated and rejected by society, and he couldn’t bear the pain any longer. Maybe he was also looking for forgiveness, to release the guilt of cheating anyone’s debts. He was trying to fill the emptiness of his heart, but he could not do so, not by his own hands.

Are you like Zacchaeus?

Perhaps you too are longing for love, acceptance, and forgiveness. Maybe you know in your heart that Jesus might be the answer, but for some reason, you are refusing Him. Some common reasons are…

1. Spiritual Pride

Maybe you’re thinking that you can manage on your own, and that you don’t need Jesus in your life.

2. Fear of What Other People Will Say

Maybe you’re thinking that if you accept Jesus in your life, you will be judged by your friends, and they will tease you for your faith. That you’ll be weird in their eyes.

3. Wrong Picture of Jesus

This is the most common reason for refusing Jesus. You might think that God is a tyrant, or maybe the Church is boring. You might even think that for God to accept you, you must be very holy and do all sorts of rituals for you to have His favor. Or maybe…you think God is angry with you, and that he can’t forgive all the wrong things you’ve done in your life.

Well, that’s where you are terribly mistaken!

“When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Luke 19:5

This is certainly shocking for Zacchaeus. To think that someone so popular would initiate the conversation first, and for Him to know his name and to dwell in his house, to spend time with him! And since Jesus knew his name, then He knows every inch of Zacchaeus, his background and past included. Zacchaeus might be thinking, “If you know my name, then you must know who I am. But why are you talking to me? Why aren’t you angry at me like everyone else is? And you even want to stay at my house, with me!”

Jesus could have chosen to spend time with anyone else, but He chose to be with Zacchaeus. Despite his sins and mistakes, Jesus deeply cared for him. Like Zacchaeus, Jesus knows us, loves us, and is seeking us out!

GOD COMPLETELY KNOWS US BUT STILL SEEKS US OUT AND LOVES US.

“So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.  All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

                                                                                                                                    Luke 19: 6-7

Jesus didn’t care if people would think ill of him, as he would go into communion with one of the most hated people in their nation. All He cared about is Zacchaeus; all He cared about is us. Though we fail continuously, His love never fades. This is the love of Christ for us sinners.

“But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount. Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.”

                                                                                                                                    Luke 19: 8-9

Zacchaeus laid down all he has and repented of his evil ways. Jesus love and compassion for him touched his heart, and was even willing to give his possessions away. God’s forgiveness and love completely transformed him into something anew. Jesus even acknowledge it in verse ten, where salvation has come to his house. 

Zacchaeus is no longer alone; God is with him, always.

No words could explain the unwavering love of God for us, sinners who don’t deserve another chance. He loves us so much, that He would even send His only Son to die for us so that we may live.

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

                                                                                                                                    Luke 19:10

Like Zacchaeus, Jesus’ love overflows, and He wants to be your Lord, Savior, and Father. He is eager and willing to wipe every tear away and use us in ways we could never imagined.

His arms are open wide, and His loving smile is evident in His face. He is waiting for you.

Will you answer His call?