Prison Ministry

"Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering."

~Hebrew 13:3

Wow! Wow! Wow! What an experience to do outreach prison ministry. Men, I was so blessed! Our church picked male members and I’m one of those. We met in the church around 6:30 in the morning then went to ‘New Bilibid Prison’. Yup, you read it right, NEW BILID PRISON. This is where awful prisoners are place so the security is very intense. I met Edwin, a 37 years old prisoner. We had lively conversation yet on my part, I forgot that he’s a criminal. Before the conversation ended, I asked him why is he in jail and he told me that he killed somebody! For the entire conversation I had no idea that the man I was talking to was once a murderer. Now the good news is he’s in Christ. Pay attention to this. Those prisoners are eager to say “God I am willing to be use!” and yet they are imprison. On the other hand, we (free Christians) says, “God not now. Can I just do it next week?” My point here is let this be a challenge for us free Christians. We have all the freedom that we need so why not use it and be thankful for so many blessings that we have.

New Bilid Prison, Muntinlupa City

This is one of the pastors in N.B.P. She's giving us the dos and don'ts when we enter the jail.

This mark is our only proof that we're not prisoners!

Law vs. Grace

I just had my morning devotion and it’s about the Grace of God. I recalled one of the lessons in a seminar which I attended last month that is talking about Law vs. Grace. First let us define Law and Grace for better understanding. According to Mr. Webster, ‘Law’ is defined as a rule of conduct or action, recognized by custom or decreed by formal enactment, considered binding on the members of a nation, community, or group. On the other hand, Mr. Webster defined ‘Grace’ as an extension of time that is granted after a set date, as for paying a debt.

Let us see how the bible defines these two words. ‘Law’ is defined as those who can refer to all practical instruction God still wants his people to obey. This law helps people show their love for God. It tells them how to live together peacefully. ‘Grace’ is defined as showing love to someone who does not deserve it. The heart of the Bible’s message is God’s grace. He loves people and saves them even while they are still fighting against them. Now, can you tell how God has been so good to all of us?

“Under the LAW, man became subject to the power of sin and death. Through GRACE, man is set free from the LAW of sin and death.”

WHAT THE LAW DOES AND WHAT IT CANNOT DO?

“Those who depend on obeying the LAW live under a curse. For the scripture says: ‘Whosoever does not always obey everything that is written in the book of the law is under God’s curse!”
~Galatians 3:10

See also Romans 7:10, James 2:10, & 2Cor. 3:6.

THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW

“Now we know that everything in the LAW applies to those who live under the LAW, in order to stop all human excuses and bring the whole world under judgment. For non one is put right in God’s sight by doing what the law requires; what the LAW does is to make man know that he has sinned.”
~ Romans 3:19-20

TENURE OF THE LAW

Galatians 3:19 ~ “… and it was meant to last until the coming of Abraham’s descendant, to whom the promise was made.”
:24 ~ “And so the LAW was in charge of us until Christ came, in order that we might then be put right with God through faith.”
:25 ~ “Now that the time for faith is here, the LAW IS NO LONGER IN CHARGE OF US.”

HOW IS THE LAW FULFILLED?

Galatians 5:14 ~ “For the whole LAW is summed up in one commandment: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’”

Hebrews 10:16 ~ “This is the covenant that I will make with them in the days to come, says the Lord: I will put my LAW into their hearts and write them on their minds.”

After reviewing this, I was so overwhelmed how God is so good. Now it is up to us whether we want to obey Him or not. Wow! What a privilege!

SUMMER VACATION

My friends and I spent 3 days & 2 nights in that house which is in Calatagan Batangas.

This is Miguel, the owner of the house. Thanks Migs!

The Dawn

My favorite, beach volleyball!

After the outing, I went home just to get and change clothes because I’m going to attend a debut and at the same time class reunion.

The debutant, Katherine Joy.

Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!!!

My 2nd bleaching.

I had my brace last Thursday and it was painful. The ‘operation’ lasted for about one and a half hour. The painful part would have to be the insertion of the molar band and my agony doesn’t stop there. For the next two days, I only ate pancakes, bread, and other soft foods. On the other hand, it’s tolerable. You just have to get use to it.