Category: Word of God

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Who is the Holy Spirit and What is His Role in Your Life?

Posted on by Jeaneth Panti | Leave a Comment on Who is the Holy Spirit and What is His Role in Your Life?

You’ve probably encountered the term Holy Spirit many times as part of the scriptures you read, or prayers and songs you heard.  

Most of the time, the ideas about the Holy Spirit are boxed in the image of a dove, smoke, or even of a ghost.  

But who really is the Holy Spirit? What are the roles of the Holy Spirit in your life as a follower of Jesus Christ?  

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Who is the Holy Spirit?  

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity with the coeternal Father and His son, Jesus Christ. Therefore, the Holy Spirit is not another God or less than God. The Holy Spirit is God.  

This truth is emphasized in the great commission when Jesus stressed the equal importance of the Trinity as the disciples proclaim the Good News of salvation among the people of the earth.  

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19 NIV)   

But you may be wondering, who then is the person referred to as the Holy Ghost, Spirit of God, Spirit of the Lord, Spirit of Christ, or Spirit in the Bible?   

All these terms are interchangeable and still point to the Holy Spirit which can be observed in Romans 8:9, “You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.”  

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 What is the role of the Holy Spirit in your life?  

Knowing the Holy Spirit means understanding that the Lord is always with you and present in your life. The Holy Spirit acts as an ever-present representative of God within you in your walk with Him.  

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26 ESV)  

Jesus emphasized before He ascended to heaven, that the Holy Spirit will be with you to help you do things according to the will of God.   

But there’s more to that.  

The Holy Spirit is giving you not only the ability to deny sin but also the gift to live holy lives. 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV)  

The fruits of the Holy Spirit will guide you to have a life that mirrors the values of Jesus Christ.  

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How do you encounter the Holy Spirit?  

The Holy Spirit, indeed, offers to bear great fruits in you. But these fruits will never be possible if you have not personally encountered the Holy Spirit. Just as Jesus said in John 3:5, “No one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.”  

On top of all the good things that the Holy Spirit has to give is the greatest gift you could ever receive – the baptism of the Holy Spirit which is the gift of salvation.  

This is a promised gift to those who are willing to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. 

“Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:14 NLT)  

The power of the Holy Spirit will enable you to live as a new creation with a new identity, free from sin and shame, made possible through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and the grace of God, the Father. 

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Do you want to encounter the Holy Spirit today? 

As Acts 2:38 says, “Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”  The Holy Spirit is always with you – guiding and leading you to the unending grace of God, displayed on the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross.  

May you commit your life to the guidance of the Holy Spirit not just today, but forever!  

Do you want to live a life that is filled by the Holy Spirit? Don’t hesitate to call the CBN Asia Prayer Center at 8-737-0-700 and we would love to pray with you. 

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Download Your Free Holy Week Devotional “The Hope for Redemption”

Posted on by Jeaneth Panti | Leave a Comment on Download Your Free Holy Week Devotional “The Hope for Redemption”

If you are not quite sure how you will spend your second Holy Week in a pandemic, you are not alone.  

COVID-19 has changed the way people observe Holy Week. Instead of visiting prayer mountains, churches, and other places of worship, many people are cooped up in their homes all day long. 

Praise God for opportunities to know Him more despite the pandemic! 

You and your loved ones can still rediscover the passion of Jesus Christ wherever you are through CBN Asia’s free Holy Week Devotional, The Hope for Redemption. 

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This free devotional e-book takes you through Jesus’ final week on earth, as accounted in the Bible. Revisit His timeless teachings and the events leading up to mankind’s redemption – from His triumphal entry in Jerusalem to His crucifixion and resurrection. 

Visit this page and complete the form to receive your FREE copy! 

Rediscover and celebrate the risen God’s victory! Download The Hope for Redemption and share this article with your family and friends so they, too, will be blessed. 

Are you still looking for more devotional material? 

Walk in God’s light and love this Holy Week with Tanglaw App – the first Filipino devotional mobile application in audio and text format.  

Tanglaw will feature devotions especially written for Holy Week, starting Maundy Thursday, April 1, up to Sunday, April 4. 

Download the Tanglaw app from Google Play or the App Store for FREE or stream it on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Amazon Music, and Google Podcast. 

Growing in Your Faith in God: 7 Benefits of Daily Devotional Reading

Posted on by dev-cbn | Leave a Comment on Growing in Your Faith in God: 7 Benefits of Daily Devotional Reading

Do you remember the first time you encountered Jesus in your life? It is like falling in love, isn’t it?

You suddenly want to spend time with Him every day reading and soaking in His Word.

But sometimes, it is not enough to just “feel” love. You must also develop that discipline of knowing more of Him so that your knowledge and love about Him can grow deeper.

One way you can effectively do this is through daily devotional reading of His Word. It is not just a daily routine that must be done randomly, but it is allotting a sacred, undivided time with the Lord.

So if you feel lazy or simply busy to do your daily devotionals, read through these 7 benefits that will surely keep you inspired:


1. Daily devotional reading helps build your faith

“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” (Romans 10:17 NIV)

It is by hearing God’s Word that faith increases. The Bible has a lot of faith stories about God doing the impossible. To name a few, He turned water into wine, provided manna to thousands of followers, healed the sick, brought the dead to life, parted the Red Sea and many more.

So if you are in fear and doubt right now, reading Scriptures that talk about miracles would help build your faith.


2. Daily devotional reading draws you closer to God

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8 ESV)

As you intentionally meet the Lord in your quiet place, be assured that He will always meet you there. Invite Him to your heart and get to know Him through His Word. True as they say, if you invite Him and He will surely show up. This is your confidence when storms of life come your way.


3. Daily devotional reading helps you focus on God

“Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Romans 12:12 ESV)

There can be a lot of distractions competing for your attention towards God. The busyness of life may get you. And sometimes even the good things such as goals and dreams can take His place in your life. The world could entice you away from God but through daily devotional reading, God’s truth helps you focus on His beauty alone.


4. Daily devotional reading helps you persevere in life

“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV)

As you meditate on the accounts of people in the Bible like Moses, Joseph, Mary and even Jesus, you will find out that their lives are epitome of perseverance of faith. Though they had a difficult time here on earth, they fought the good fight of faith not because they are strong but because God is with them. God will also give you the grace to persevere as you learn to surrender to Him daily.


5. Daily devotional reading helps you gain deeper understanding of the Bible

“You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me.” (John 5:39 NIV)

God’s Word has the final authority over your life. The Bible is like a ruler that sets the standard to distinguish the crooked line from a straight line. And the more you know God’s truth, it will be easier to differentiate which one is not.


6. Daily devotional reading helps you apply God’s Word in real-life situations

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11 NIV)

Spending time with the Lord through daily devotional reading helps you apply Biblical principles that will be useful in life. Whether you need wisdom, comfort, direction, correction, reproof, and training in righteousness, God’s word is always available. He teaches you to depend on Him and not on other voices or opinions.


7. Daily devotional reading helps you find peace and joy

“Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.” (Psalm 119:165 NIV)

Lastly, relying on God’s word and communing with Him through prayer give peace which surpasses all understanding. It gives joy in the midst of difficulties.

Are you weary about many things lately? Come to Him daily and see what He has to say about your situation.

Who wouldn’t want a one-on-one “coffee session” with the King of kings?

If you have no idea where and how to start this habit of daily devotional reading, the devotional book “Signpost: 366 Days of Journeying with Jesus” is here to help you! Visit this link to grab your copy today.

If you are looking for a good devotional app for 2021, you may download the Tanglaw app for FREE starting January 1! You can also stream it on Spotify and Apple Podcast, and all major podcast directories worldwide.

 

Does God Care About How You Treat the Environment?

Does God Care About How You Treat the Environment?

Posted on by Jeaneth Panti | Leave a Comment on Does God Care About How You Treat the Environment?

Absolutely.

God cares so much about His creation, and how you care – or not care – for the environment says a lot about how you value what’s important to Him.

To help you have a firm grasp on that thought this Environmental Awareness Month, here are 3 straight-from-The-Bible reasons why you should care for the creation, too:

1. The environment shows God’s goodness.

More than just retelling how the planet we live in was made, the Bible paints a clear picture of God’s creativity, grace, and glory.

Psalm 24:1-2 tells us about these works of God’s hands, “The earth is the Lord′s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.”

God’s creation is good, and it is a mirror of His goodness, too.

As you are called to reflect His goodness, so should you also care for the environment so other people can continue to be amazed of God’s work.

Abusing and neglecting the environment equate to destroying His creation.

2. You are called to be a good steward.

Vast blue skies, seas, breathtaking mountains and forests that are full of flora and fauna – God has indeed blessed mankind with a majestic natural environment.

You have a role to play to protect God’s creation. He has entrusted you the role of preserving its goodness. As it is said in Genesis 2:15, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”

He had called you to practice good stewardship of those blessings right from the world’s beginning.

3. Environmental stewardship is worship.

“Moreover, it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2)

Taking care of the environment doesn’t have to be overwhelming, especially when you look at it as an act of worship to God. Whether it’s conserving energy or reducing waste, when it is done with love for God, it is worship and pleasing to Him.

Are you living up to that environmental stewardship God has called you in?

God wants all creation, not just humans, to survive and thrive. As a temporary resident of this planet, you are called to respect, love, and take good care of His creation.

The environment is groaning from abuse for far too long. 2020 is the time to show that you can take part in resuscitating it, through self-discipline and best environmental practices – not just for your own good, but most importantly, for God and the generations to come.

Isn’t it wonderful to see every human working together to enhance the magnificent beauty of this planet for the glory of God?

Are you ready to be a good steward of God’s blessings?

Ask Him to give you a heart that cares for His creation. The CBN Asia Prayer Center is here to pray with you. Call 8737-0-700 or visit cbnasia.org/prayer-requests.

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Are Ghosts Real? What Does the Bible Say About Them?

Posted on by Jeaneth Panti | Leave a Comment on Are Ghosts Real? What Does the Bible Say About Them?

You probably have seen shows or films about people who encountered ghosts during their lifetime.

Some are just fictional funny stories, but some bring real crippling fear.

Maybe you’ve already heard of countless spooky ghost stories from people you know. And for those with real encounters, this has become an evident source of fear and paranoia.

Are ghosts even real? Can they hurt you? What does the Bible say about them?

What are ghosts, anyway?

Therefore, they are perceived as spiritual beings.

If your definition of ‘ghost’ is just the lurking spirit of a dead person in the living world, then you might be in for a surprise.

Ghosts are spiritual beings, but not of humans who once walked the earth.

What does the Bible say about ghosts?

The Bible tells that there are spiritual beings that can appear in the physical world. There are good spirits such as angels (Hebrews 1:14 NLT) and there are bad ones that want to steal, kill, and destroy the lives of people— the demons. (John 10:10 NLT).

Hebrews 9:27 ESV says that it is impossible for the spirit of the dead to be roaming around the earth, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” They either face heaven or hell on their judgment day.

But why do some people claim that they have seen the soul of their departed loved ones?

These “ghosts” causing mischief and fear in their lives are demons in disguise (2 Corinthians 11:14-15 ESV). They inflict mental and emotional unrest for the people left here on earth.

If you used to believe in and fear ghosts, you are not alone. The Bible has recorded some events of people who believed and were terrified of ghosts.

One of the instances was when the disciples thought Jesus was a ghost walking on water (Matthew 14:26 ESV).

Another one was in the Old Testament when King Saul sought direction about his war and went to a medium to summon Samuel’s spirit. However, the said ghost of Samuel did not help but instead inflicted a burden for his past wrongdoings (1 Samuel 28 ESV).

While there are accounts of ghosts in the Bible, one thing is clear: do not believe every spiritual being you encounter. Test them if they are from God or not (1 John 4:1 ESV).

Should you be afraid?

Even the characters in the Bible got frightened when they thought they have encountered a ghost. The truth is the enemy will seize any opportunity to inflict fear in you.

Don’t worry. God’s Word will help you to be strong in Him. Ephesians 6:10-11 says that putting on the whole armor of God will help you fight against these evil schemes.

Jesus is your light and salvation and the stronghold of your life (Psalm 27:1 ESV). With Him, no fear can conquer you and no dark force can take a hold of you.

Ghosts such as apparitions, phantoms, poltergeists, and all other forms of evil spirit may seem to scare the life out of you. But remember, you are from God and He is inside of you. He has already won the victory against those evil spirits.

“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4 ESV)

Do you want to find comfort amid your fears?

Know that God is with you and He is willing you give you peace. If you want to break free from your fears, we would love to stand with you in prayers. Call the CBN Asia Prayer Center 8-737-0700 or send in your prayer requests to our Facebook page.

Is Reading the Bible Really Necessary?

Posted on by dev-cbn

How do you remain unafraid and unworried by the changing seasons in your life? In hard times, where do you turn to for guidance and direction?

One of the ways to know what God wants to tell you is through His Word – the Bible.



What is the Bible?

The Holy Bible is a collection of 66 books that accounts God’s action in the world, and His purpose with all creation.

God inspired and used different authors to write the Bible as said in 2 Peter 1:21, “For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

It is “God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

You may ask, “Do I have to read the Bible?”

Yes. Apart from getting direction in life, God also offers His Word in the Bible so He can reveal Himself to you.

And just like how newborn babies need milk to survive, new followers of Jesus also need His Word to flourish. It is the key to your spiritual growth and strengthened faith!

Depriving yourself of this “spiritual food” will hinder your growth.

So, how does one grow by reading the Bible?

Before you accepted God as your Lord and Savior, you may have lived by the world’s standards. But don’t worry, He is now transforming your life!

Now that you are in Him, He has opened your heart that you may understand the Bible as the ultimate standard for all the areas of your life. The more you read and hear it, the more it helps your faith grow!

“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” (Romans 10:17)


What does the Bible reveal?

As you read, study, and meditate on the Bible, you would be amazed about the many things it reveals about God and yourself.

God. Have you ever wondered about the true characteristics of God? The Bible reveals them. Apart from the truth that God is the Creator of the ends of the earth (Isaiah 40:28), it also reveals that God is love (1 John 4:8), holy (Isaiah 6:3), faithful (1 Corinthians 10:13), and all-knowing (1 John 3:20). He is also gracious, righteous, and is full of compassion! (Psalm 116:5).

You. The Bible helps you discover your identity and purpose in life. You are a child of God (John 1:12), chosen and appointed (John 15:16), and created in His own image (Genesis 1:27). It also reveals that “God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Isn’t it amazing that the Creator of heaven and earth has written a book for you? He wants you to discover His treasures of truth, grace, and glory through it! He wants you to study the Bible so you may experience His transforming love.

Got questions about the Bible? You may call the CBN Asia Prayer Center at 8737-0700 and we would love to guide you and pray for you!

Meanwhile, expand your knowledge about His Word by tuning in to Love the Word, Live the Word online show every Monday, 8 PM, on the CBN Asia, The 700 Club Asia, Batang Superbook, and I Can Breakthrough Facebook pages.