Category: New Believers

What Should We Reflect on During Holy Week?

Posted on by Jeaneth Panti | Leave a Comment on What Should We Reflect on During Holy Week?

Do you wonder why we commemorate Jesus’ death during Holy Week?

What does it mean for the world?

Is it still relevant today?

Every year, Christians commemorate Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection during Lenten Season, commonly known as Holy Week.

It is a time of reflection on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, who came down from the heavens and freely gave His life to bear the sins of the world.

Why did Jesus have to die on the cross?

God created earth and man. However, mankind rebelled against Him. As a result, sin and death entered the world.

As the perfect Judge, overlooking sins would make Him unjust. Thus, death became man’s consequence (Romans 6:23), and even good works would not suffice to make up for wrongs against Him. Everyone deserved death because of sin – the boundary and eternal separation between God and men.

But the Good News is that God loves the world, that we may ask for His forgiveness and receive everlasting life through His Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16).

Jesus is “the way and the truth and the life.” No one comes to the Father except through Him. (John 14:6). By saying this, Jesus has declared that mankind may be saved from the eternal separation from God through believing in Him, as one’s Lord and Savior.

Jesus Christ is the only One who can save people. His name is the only power in the world that has been given for the salvation of mankind (Acts 4:12).

God declared that “without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22), but through the shedding of the precious blood of His holy Son, redemption for the world is provided. Sinless Jesus became the perfect sacrifice for our sins (1 Peter 1:19).

He promised that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but they will have eternal life (John 3:16). They are accepted, cleansed, and accounted righteous before God. Saved by grace, through faith in Jesus—not by good works.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV)

To commemorate Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death, here are 3 things to reflect on during this Holy Week:

1. Jesus died on the cross for you

Jesus is the Son of the living God. He is heaven’s perfect lamb for the sins of the world. He willingly gave his sinless life to save you from sin and death (1 Peter 3:18). Through faith in His name, you may be saved and receive everlasting life in His kingdom.

This is the Good News – He died for you so that you may have life in Him. Through God’s grace, salvation is given to mankind as a gift through Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2. Jesus has already trampled death and grave

Jesus Christ’s victory over death means that those who believe in Him have also been granted victory over death! (2 Timothy 1:10).

It is God’s promise for you. You will never be separated from His love – not even death can take away God’s love for you. In Jesus Christ, death and grave have no power anymore! (Romans 8:37-39).

3. Receiving Christ means having eternal life

When you receive Christ into your life, it means that you trust that He already paid for all your sins through His death on the cross, and He will reward you with everlasting life in His heavenly kingdom. He will surely guide you through the Holy Spirit as you embark on your journey of being His follower (John 14:26).

You can look to Him as your loving father, a faithful friend. Even though you are not perfect and there will be times that you may stumble, the Holy Spirit will draw you to repentance so that your close fellowship with God is restored (Psalm 51:7).

Do you want to know more about Jesus? Visit this page and learn how to receive His gift of eternal life.

You may also call the CBN Asia Prayer Center at 8-737-0-700 as we would love to uplift you through prayers.

3 Questions to Ponder about All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day

Posted on by Jeaneth Panti | Leave a Comment on 3 Questions to Ponder about All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day

It is the time of the year again when you, together with your family, traditionally gather at cemeteries to visit the grave of your loved ones.

In the Philippines, it is also the time when the working people have the 1st of November as a holiday from work while, with November 2 as a working holiday.

But apart from knowing All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day as events on your calendar, have you ever wondered about the origin, biblical perspective, and the proper Christian way of dealing with these holidays?

Here are 3 questions and answers to ponder about these holidays:

What is the difference between All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day?

According to an article on BBC, All Saints Day is a time for people to remember the known and unknown saints and martyrs in history. The holiday is also known as All Hallows Day or Hallowmas.

Encyclopedia.com defined All Saints’ Day for the West as the feast observed on the first of November. For the people in the East, it is observed on the first Sunday after Pentecost.

Meanwhile, All Souls’ Day according to Christianity.com, is the day when people commemorate the souls of those who died already.

Crosswalk.com explained that the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox churches set November 2, a day after All Saints’ Day, for this observation.

The article continues that the observation of All Souls’ Day entails the Roman Catholic Church’s belief of praying for those faithful departed Christians who might need to undergo the process of cleansing before they can set foot in heaven.

What does the Bible say about All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day?

When you think of saints, you probably first thought of the statues of saints displayed in Roman Catholic Churches and of the fiestas celebrated in different places in our country.

But as mentioned earlier, All Saints’ Day is a day to commemorate all saints – known and unknown. Who are the saints?

It is you and the rest of the Christian believers.

“To the church of God at Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called as saints, with all those in every place who call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord—both their Lord and ours.” (1 Corinthians 1:2 CSB)

Every believer who accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior and who trusts God alone is a saint in the eyes of God.

So, as you observe All Saints’ Day this November 1, remember that this celebrates the unity of Christian believers in Christ Jesus.

On the other hand, All Souls’ Day is a day to pray for the cleansing of your departed loved ones. This purification is set to help them enter heaven, known to be purgatory.

However, purgatory — or the concept of it — is not found in the Bible. For those who died, their destination is either hell or eternal peace with God in heaven.

It is only through Jesus Christ that you can attain the forgiveness of your sins and the assurance of being with God for eternity.

“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:1-2 NIV)

To sum up, from the article by Compelling Truth, it is unbiblical for Christians to practice praying to for the souls of their dead or laying out food for them during All Souls’ Day.

So what could Christians do during these holidays?

All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day should not be a waste of your holiday time.

You can see these days as opportunities to worship God. Use this time to seek God and hear from Him.

Secondly, you can reach out to your grieving family and friends because of the death of a loved one. Your empathy and encouragement can go a long way for them.

Lastly, use these holidays to take part in the great commission. Share the gospel with someone. By doing this, another friend, relative, or even a stranger can find eternal security in heaven after death.

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-20 CSB)

Do you also want to spend eternity with the Lord after death? Begin your journey of faith today.

If you have any questions about the biblical perspective on these holidays, you may call the CBN Asia Prayer Center at 8-737-0-700 and we would love to guide you and pray for you!

What is Sin?

Posted on by Jeaneth Panti | Leave a Comment on What is Sin?

You have probably encountered the word “sin” many times in your life. And perhaps, you even easily explain this word as a transgression to the law of God to people who ask.

Although you already have a general perception of the word sin, there is still a lot to know about it. So what is sin, really?

Here are some biblical truths that can give you an in-depth understanding of sin:

Origin of Sin

In the beginning, God made a perfect world and all that is in it. But then, Adam and Eve committed sin. You can read the account in Genesis 3.

Adam and Eve violated God’s command to not eat the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil in the garden of Eden. They had the freedom to enjoy everything except that fruit, yet they did not obey the commandment of God and sinned.

 ”The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too.” (Genesis 3:6 NLT)

Here, sin clearly originated from the disobedience of man. Adam and Eve overruled the will of God in their lives by deciding to disobey Him.

Causes of Sin

But before their disobedience, it is also important to see that it was the lies of the enemy deceived Adam and Eve that caused them to sin in the first place.

Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.” (Genesis 3:13 NLT)

Even today, this is still happening to every person, to non-Christians, and much more to Christian believers.

The lies of the enemy are always around you, causing you to sin. This deception makes your heart to rebel against God and sin.

So, it is crucial that you guard your thoughts and heart against these lies at all times.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23 NLT)

Forgiveness of Sin

When you fail to guard your heart and eventually sin, you will die. As said in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death…”

But the good news is God will not let that happen to you. And as you continue to read the same verse, “…but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

God made a way to save you from this pit of unrighteousness and bring you back to His presence.

Through the blood of His son, Jesus Christ, you could have salvation and a new life, free from sin and shame.

God’s redemption is always available for you. The question is, are you willing to accept the salvation God freely gives you?

Call the CBN Asia Prayer Center today at 8-737-0-700 and experience a changed life in Jesus Christ!

choosing a church - why join a church

Choosing a Church

Posted on by Jeaneth Panti

So, you have decided to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and you want to grow deeper in Him. While it is true that there are many ways for you to grow spiritually, finding a church that is right for you is one of the most important decisions you need to make.

Now, you might be asking, is there a right way to choose a church?

Is church even necessary?

Why a church is essential to your spiritual growth 

The first thing that would come to your mind when you hear the word church is probably a building, a location, or a denomination. But the church that the Bible describes is more than that.

The Bible refers to the church as the people, a community of believers who are followers of Jesus Christ. The church is the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27).

Church is necessary because it’s a place of worship, fellowship, a place to study His Word, and ultimately, a place to fulfill the Great Commission. Hebrews 10:25 gives another reason why the church is essential to your spiritual growth.

“Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25 ESV)

Why join a church 

Following Jesus and obeying His teachings are shared goals. It means you need a spiritual family to help you grow and become spiritually mature.

Through the church, Christians are encouraged to bear each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:1-3) and to uplift each other by sharing stories of God’s faithfulness.

How to choose a church that is right for you 

Choosing a church that is right for you is something that should be done with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. To help you start, here are some important factors to keep in mind as you make this very important decision in your life. 

1. Doctrine 

One of the most important things to consider when choosing a church is its accordance with the Bible. Select a church that bases all its teachings on the Word of God and believes in the power of the Holy Spirit and salvation through Jesus. You can check this in the church’s mission and vision statement and in their statement of faith.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV) 

2. Leadership 

Do the pastors and leaders demonstrate a lifestyle you would want to follow? While not everyone is perfect, pastors and church leaders are called to lead the congregation. They should be Biblically qualified leaders, spiritually strong, and have a firm hold on the biblical truths of their faith. 

“For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.  He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” (Titus 1:7-9 ESV) 

3. Ministry 

A good church encourages its members to serve and use their gifts to build up and equip one another.

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies–in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:10-11 ESV)

4. Fellowship

Christian fellowship is essential to spiritual growth. Many aspects of your spiritual life depend on being together with other believers to encourage, teach, serve, and share life together through weekly services, or bible study groups.

These activities cultivate strong relationships with fellow believers and help deepen your faith in Christ.

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24 ESV)

5. Church Size

Would you opt for a large church or a small one? The answer will still depend on your spiritual needs and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Both can faithfully uphold the same truth and address your spiritual needs. Smaller churches tend to be more intimate and can offer personal care and accountability to their members. Meanwhile, larger churches can minister to a broader range of people and offer diverse programs to the congregation.

Above all, as a Christian, you belong to a church.  You are part of the community of believers whose ultimate purpose is to serve, love, and worship Jesus Christ and make Him known throughout the world. So, choose a church where you feel God’s presence the most!

Do you want to connect to a church near you?

If you are looking for a church, the CBN Asia Prayer Center has hundreds of faithful church partners who can help you live a fruitful Christian life. Call us at 8-737-0-700 so we can connect you to the nearest church in your area.

Is Church Necessary?

Posted on by dev-cbn

You probably grew up knowing that the church is just a building that people visit every Sunday. However, in a Christian life, a church is much more than that.

 

What is church, really?

The church that the Bible refers to comes from the Greek word “ecclesia” which means congregation, assembly or meeting.

It is not a structure but an assembly of people who believe and are followers of Jesus Christ. Matthew 18:19-20 says that as long as people gather together in Jesus’ name, He is in their midst.

Jesus is the one who builds the church, as He said to Peter, one of His disciples, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18 ESV).

He brings together people of different tribes and languages to be one body in Christ (Romans 12:5 ESV).

In addition, the Word of God describes the church as different parts of the body which are essential to one another.

“The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. (https://vigora.clinic) ” (1 Corinthians 12:21, 26 ESV)

Simply put, the church is the people of God connected with one another—being one in mind, goal, and spirit through Jesus.

 

What is church for?

1. A place for fellowship

One of the church’s purposes is to provide people a safe place where they can share lives together. Churchgoers need to be built relationally so they can grow together in their relationship with God.

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (Acts 2:42, ESV)

2. A place of sound doctrine

The Bible warns the people to be vigilant with false teachings being spread around. That’s why one of the important roles of the church is to teach sound doctrine, study the scriptures, and help people grow spiritually.

Ultimately, it is God who enables the members of the church in helping each other grow in the faith.

“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,” (Ephesians 4:11-13)

3. A place of comfort

When people pray, encourage one another, and show love and compassion to each other, they show the heart of the church.

“Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer.” (Hebrews 10:25 GNT)

4. A place of worship

It is a safe place where you can worship your Heavenly Father. Praying, giving tithes, and singing songs of praise are some of the many ways to show your love for God.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16 ESV)

5. A place to fulfill the Great Commission

Lastly, the body of Christ is built for a communal purpose and that is to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). Called to reach out to the lost and share the Good News, followers of Jesus are also chosen to represent Him in every way and be a witness to people of who He is and what He has done.

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20-21 ESV)

Diverse religious shoot

 

Should people go to church?

After learning all the purposes and benefits of going to church, you might have asked yourself, “Should I go to church, too?”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 tells that God created people as relational beings.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

As people of God, followers cannot truly spiritually grow without the church. They will easily fall and give up in their walk with God. But having people you can rely on in your spiritual journey helps you go further and deeper in your relationship Him. If that is your goal, then being part of the church is an essential element of your Christian journey.

Most importantly, a church is a place where you could feel the transforming love, power, and presence of God.

Do you want to experience God’s presence through the church?

If you are looking for a church, the CBN Asia Prayer Center has hundreds of faithful partner churches who can help you live a fruitful Christian life in Christ. Call us at 8737-0700 so we can connect you to the nearest church in your area.

 

Who is Your Real Enemy?

Posted on by dev-cbn

When faced with conflicting beliefs and opinions, people can have the tendency to pit against each other and treat neighbors as enemies.

It can also become easy for a man to hate others when faced with overwhelming struggles.

Likewise, you can be really frustrated when you encounter barriers in sharing the Word of God to other people. It’s like someone is preventing you from sharing God’s love, isn’t it?

Have you ever wondered where all these originate from? Are you just surrounded by bad things and bad people?

The Bible uncovers that people and situations are not your real enemies.

Who, then, is the real enemy?

 

Knowing your real enemy

Ephesians 6:12 says that the battle is beyond what the physical eyes can see. Your battle is not with people who are made up of flesh and blood. The real battle is against the evil and unseen enemy named Satan.

“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12 NLT)

Satan does not want you to live an abundant and purposeful life. That is why he works hard to steal, kill, and destroy you (John 10:10, ESV) and every beautiful thing God has made.

His agenda is to steal your joy, kill your hope, and destroy your relationship with your Heavenly Father. He creates conflict and chaos.

Your ultimate victory

1 John 5:19 ESV says that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one, but it also says that we are from God. And no evil is more powerful than God!

God’s love for you has already paved way for victory over evil schemes. As a result of the sacrifice Jesus did at the cross, no death nor demon can now separate you from His saving love.

“In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39 NIV)

How to overcome the schemes of enemy?

Because God loves you, He will help you open your eyes and win the battle between good and evil. Most importantly, He wants you to participate in fighting the battle against the real enemy!

You can overcome Satan’s deceitful schemes by praying at all times in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18) and by putting on the whole armor of God, as said in Ephesians 6:13-17 ESV:

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

The next time you find yourself in conflict with others or whenever you are caught in a tough situation, take a moment to step back and remember who your real enemy is.

Stay close to God through prayers, resist the devil and it will flee.

Discover more truths about the real enemy.

Subscribe to CBN Asia’s YouTube channel and watch The Seat of Satan, an in-depth documentary about the ancient Pergamum’s Altar of Zeus that was taken to Germany and inspired Adolf Hitler – one of the greatest dictators of all time.

 

Are You Sure that Heaven is Your Destination? Here are 3 Truths to Assure You

Posted on by dev-cbn
Everyone journeys through life with all roads leading to one destination – physical death. So, if you die today, would you know where you’ll go? You’d surely want to go to heaven, right? If you have decided to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are guaranteed your eternity in heaven. Jesus said in John 5:24 (NIV), “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” However, if you are new or still navigating your way to your newfound faith, there may be times that you doubt if you are really saved. Or when confronted with sins that you think are too unforgivable, you may feel that your salvation has been canceled, and so is heaven. If you are experiencing these, here are 3 unchanging truths that you can find in God’s Word that would assure you of your place in heaven.

1. You are adopted in God’s eternal family

In the Bible, God always assures His people of His plan and invites them to trust in Him. In the same way, God does not want you to doubt what He has promised and was fulfilled at the cross by Jesus Christ. In 1 John 5:11-13 NIV, John the beloved tells, “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.  I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” Jesus Christ is the Son of God and those who accepted Him were adopted into God’s family. John 1:12 NIV guarantees, “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

2. Redemption from sin is available for you

If Romans 6:23 says the payment for sins is eternal death, does that mean your relationship with Jesus is over once you sin? Does that forfeit your salvation? Apostle Paul tells in Romans that the world is fallen. While you live in this fallen world, you are in a constant battle with the authorities, principalities, and spiritual forces. So, what should you do when you sin? 1 John 1: 9 NIV says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Admit what you have done wrong, confess to the Lord, and repent from your sins. Peter, throughout his ministry in the book of Acts, had been proclaiming this as in Acts 3:19 NIV “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” Repentance goes hand in hand with salvation. It is not a means to earn salvation but a result when one is saved. Once you experience God’s amazing grace in your life, a continuing life transformation follows. After all, “anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT).

3. Your blessed assurance

Jesus Himself is the assurance of salvation of everyone who believes in Him. He is your assurance for having a place in heaven. In John 10:28-29 ESV, Jesus declares, “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” While good works, spiritual growth, obedience to God’s Word, and a changed life are evidence of one’s Christian walk, you should not base your assurance of salvation on these things but on the unchanging truth found in God’s Word. Being assured of your salvation means you are completely believing that Jesus Christ has completed the work. You are saved and you have a sure ticket to heaven through Christ alone, by His grace, and through faith in Him. Do you believe in this truth? It’s time cast your doubt away and live out the joy of your salvation. The CBN Asia Prayer Center is here to guide you and pray for you! Don’t hesitate to call us at 8737-0700 or send a message to the CBN Asia Facebook page.

What is Baptism and Is It Really Necessary?

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“Baptism.” You might have heard of it since you were young, and now you ask, “What does baptism really mean? Do I have to be baptized to be saved? Is water baptism the same as baptism in the Holy Spirit?” What is baptism? Baptism came from the Greek word ‘baptizō,’ which literally means to dip, immerse, or wash – according to Bible.org. As the Word of God points out, baptism expresses union with Christ in His death and resurrection. “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:3-4 ESV) Baptism has meaning and importance because of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. His finished work on the cross gives you the opportunity to walk in newness of life. Do I need to be baptized? To be baptized and be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18 NLT) is God’s commandment. Jesus also said in Matthew 28:19 ESV, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Baptism is more than just a religious tradition. It is more than just submerging in the water, but immersing in the presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The question is, is there a difference between water baptism and baptism in the Holy Spirit? Water Baptism Baptism – as per the example of Jesus and other believers in the Bible – involves immersion in water. Just as how Jesus died and resurrected, water baptism symbolizes a person’s dying to his old ways of life – and beginning a new one with Him. This symbolic gesture is a public declaration of your faith in Jesus. On the other hand, Acts 2:38 NLT says, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” – highlighting the importance of baptism in the Holy Spirit. Baptism in the Holy Spirit Water baptism is not the only way of saying that you have received Jesus in your life. Even though you have not undergone water baptism yet, it doesn’t change the fact that Jesus already died for your sins and saved you. Ultimately, it is by His grace that you have been saved, through your faith (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV). How to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit? While baptism in the Holy Spirit is a free gift, surrendering your life to God is the way to receive it. First, you must accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, and ask Him to baptize you in the Holy Spirit. Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for (Luke 11:9). Second, believe that you have already received baptism from God. Galatians 3:2 NLT says that you received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. Faith in Jesus is a prerequisite to baptism. It is about believing that you have been saved and that you have received baptism in the Holy Spirit. In Mark 1:5 ESV, baptism is tied to repentance, “And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.” It implies that baptism and repentance go hand-in-hand. Experiencing baptism – by water, and more importantly, in the Holy Spirit – is a beautiful gift from God. It is a union between you and your Heavenly father, a union that must be enjoyed and lived out on a daily basis. Do you want to accept Jesus in your life and receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit? Allow us pray for you as you embark on this journey of knowing Jesus. You may call the call the CBN Asia Prayer Center at 8737-0700 or reach us through our Facebook page.

Are You Spiritually Healthy?

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The pandemic stress is real. You see its effects and how it has taken its toll on people’s physical, mental, and emotional health. If you are one of those who are reeling from these effects, you might also need extra effort to stay spiritually healthy. As a human being, you were created as a living soul (Genesis 2:7 KJB), to dwell in a physical body, and live eternally as a spirit. It is also clear in 3 John 1:2 NLT that God cares for your body, soul, and spirit, “Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit.” So, how does one nourish the spirit? Here are 3 ways to help you become spiritually healthy during and beyond this challenging time. 1. Start with your spiritual food You need spiritual food for spiritual strength, just like how you need food for physical strength. The Bible describes itself as the spiritual food – a historically accurate, foolproof source of truth. It is important to read and reflect on it day and night to be nourished on the truths of the faith (1 Timothy 4:6). As all Scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16 NIV), the truths in His Word can heal any spiritual sickness, give wisdom, increase faith, and sustain spiritual strength. Your spiritual strength will help you brave the spiritual battles in this world and accomplish your purpose in life. 2. Give your faith a regular exercise Faith is not a one-time thing – it is a lifestyle. For your spiritual health to grow and mature, it needs regular exercise. 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 ESV gives a good analogy of why constant “spiritual exercise” is needed: “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” To be spiritually healthy, one must consistently run after and press on towards God. Praying, reading the Bible, keeping God’s commandments, and other spiritual disciplines are needed to be exercised so you may bear good fruit. 3. Trust God’s grace God recognizes that you are imperfect and that from time to time, frailties and life’s challenges could get the best of you. When that happens, know that there is no shame and condemnation in God. His love for you does not depend on what you do and what you feel. Even when you fail, trust that His love nourishes, His grace is sufficient for you, and His power is made perfect in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV). He loves you so much that He won’t allow you to face all the hurdles alone. After saving you at the cross, God has given you a Helper that dwells inside of you to constantly guide and remind you that He has already won your battles. “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) Are you feeling spiritually dry, empty, or unhealthy? Tap into your ultimate source of strength – Jesus. He will never disappoint you. Allow us to stand with you in prayers You may call the call the CBN Asia Prayer Center at 8737-0700 or reach us through our Facebook page and we would love to pray for you.

How Can I Come Back to God?

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Have you ever felt so distant from God? Or perhaps, you feel like you never had a relationship with Him? Was there a time when you don’t feel like going to church or praying and you don’t feel His presence anymore? If you now feel that unexplainable sorrow, frustration, and emptiness in your heart – God is inviting you to come back to Him. God cares for you. God loves you so much that He doesn’t want you to feel lost. He wouldn’t want you to tread in the wrong direction. Like the prodigal son mentioned in Luke 15 who realized a life without his father is not worth living, you might be at the same point in your life. You ask, “How can I come back to God?” To fully experience His fatherly love and come back to His loving arms, start with repentance. What is Repentance? Repentance is the starting point of your new life. It starts when you acknowledge that you have gone in the wrong direction, and would like to turn back now. Repentance is turning away from your sins, rebellious ways and reckless ways of this world, and turning back to the righteous ways of God. As you encounter God in prayers and in reading the Bible, you will know that His kindness is intended to turn you from sin (Romans 2:4). The good news is, God is so gracious and compassionate! He will not turn His face from you if you return to Him (2 Chronicles 30:9b, NIV). In fact, your Heavenly Father will meet you the same way the father in the parable met his prodigal son.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20, NIV)
This is God’s heart when you come to Him in repentance. Change of Heart and Your Daily Walk with God In repentance, God will also move to change your heart. 2 Corinthians 7:10 gives a glimpse of what real repentance is, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” Worldly sorrow is experiencing fear for having to suffer the consequences of sins, while Godly sorrow is feeling truly sorry for breaking God’s heart. It brings life-changing repentance. Unlike worldly sorrow that brings nothing but spiritual death, Godly sorrow produces fruit and real change in character and in the way you live. “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Matthew 3:8, NIV) And because only God can change hearts, repentance takes humility and faith. It is confessing and surrendering to God and believing that no one can cleanse you of your sins but Him. It is an everyday journey of seeking His ways, living in His presence, and living out His glorious purpose for your life. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, NIV) Come to your Heavenly Father now. He is waiting to receive you with open arms. Do you want to repent and find your peace in God?   You may call the CBN Asia Prayer Center at 8737-0700 and we would love to guide you and pray for you!