Jun 24
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philsantillan added a text contribution Knowing the Lord vs Knowing "about" the LordThere is a big difference from really knowing the Lord and knowing about him. There is a difference from knowing what God's standards are, to understanding God's heart. And what I take away from this is that I cannot assume that just because my children grow up in the church, know HOW to worship, know HOW to live Christ-like, or know a lot ABOUT the Lord, I can never be satisfied until I hear them... Read more »
May 22
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philsantillan added a text contribution NO...I'm not going to do a study on the book of RevelationsDisclaimer: I am about to get on a soapbox. So if it sounds like I'm on one, you won't be surprised. In the years I've been in Pastoral ministry, I've noticed a pattern. There are usually two types of people who dawn the doors of the church that call themselves believers. (I know...you can't categorize people, but this is a soapbox and you agreed to read on after finding out the fact.) 1. People... Read more »
May 15
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philsantillan added a text contribution Everything comes to an ennEven great leaders have and end. The questions is whether or not they leave a legacy through a new generation of leaders. Read more »
May 14
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philsantillan added a text contribution Embrace the MysteryEphesians 3:6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. The Jews could not see how God would love gentiles. -Their culture repulsed them. -Their traditions left them aghast. But what the Jews held against the gentiles the most was their lacked the knowledge of God's truth,... Read more »
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philsantillan added a text contribution A misunderstanding of the titheI understand that some may read this and say, "I knew it!!! I KNEW that the bible didn't instruct me to give 10% to the church." I'm not trying to bash anyone's personal convictions on this subject, but as John 8:32 says, "...you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." I can understand how a limited understanding of Levitical laws and practices can lend someone to do what is called... Read more »
May 13
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philsantillan added a text contribution Be content, Be responsible, Be generousPaul didn't plan on seeing the people of Ephesus again. I would believe that his last words were not just inspired by the Holy Spirit but were words that he had great conviction in sharing. Of the things he mention in his parting words, these stuck out to me. 1. Be content. I could go on and on with scripture reference after reference about God's desire for believers to be content. But the question... Read more »
May 12
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philsantillan added a text contribution Good Idea // Bad IdeaGood Idea: Using the name of Jesus Bad Idea: Using the name of Jesus You follow? If you think I'm going to start going into reasons why we shouldn't use God's name in vain, you might as well move on. While you can use this historical account as an example of why you shouldn't just toss the name of Jesus around like it's an expletive for moments of outbursts, this passage speaks to me in a different... Read more »
May 11
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philsantillan added a text contribution Holiness or Selflessness?It's always interesting to hear how Christians in America have divided themselves among different camps concerning what lifestyle choices are holy and are not. For instance, you will find believers in Christ who both agree ad disagree with the notion that Christians are able to: - get tattoos - allow men to wear earrings - drink wine or other alcoholic beverages - listen to "secular music" Every... Read more »
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philsantillan added a text contribution It's time to take a dump...go outside!If you grew up in the church, you probably remember sitting next to your friends during church and finding obscure passages of scripture that made you giggle during the sermon. Well, I don't have this passage memorized, but over the years I've "run into" it and have laughed to myself. But in the midst of the comic relief, I have to ask myself..."What is this passage supposed to mean? Read more »
May 8
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philsantillan added a text contribution Divorce is not an optionReading this verse hits a nerve in a number of different ways. Of course I can make a point against pre-marital sex here, but I'd like to start a conversation about how this verse applies to divorce. I will admit that I have personal bias going into this. My parents recently got divorced a few years ago after almost 25 years of marriage. They professed to be believers, but when they met they were... Read more »
May 7
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philsantillan added a text contribution When everything doesn't mean everything.Acts 13:22 But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, "I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do." -NLT I want to be known as a man after God's own heart. It's the highest goal of my life. I also want to be known as the man who "will do everything I want hum to do" or as another translation puts it, a man "who... Read more »
May 4
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philsantillan added a text contribution When "Who You Are" is not "Who You Were"As believers in Christ we have the awesome opportunity to be people who the Lord is continually "transforming" (Romans 12). The problem is that even those close to us will sometimes see us in the light of who we were instead of who we are. My Advice? Be patient with those who may not see the changes for good that God has done in your life. Yes, you may be different and God sees you for who you... Read more »
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philsantillan added a link contribution Modern Day False ProphetsI'm not witch hunter, but this one is way too obvious! Read more »
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philsantillan added a text contribution So I'm a Pastor...And what I am reminded of today is that the Lord is my possession. When I am tempted to point and stare at other people and the possessions they have, I need to know that the Lord is my possession. The Levites were the priest of the day - the "ministers" so to say. As a minister myself, it is encouraging to be reminded that my life isn't about getting all the stuff I want, because I have the... Read more »
May 1
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philsantillan added a text contribution I like to appearI like to look in shape. So I wear the clothes that are tight in just the right spots and aren't tight in the spots that...well...would not be right. I talk about how much I can bench press and how many push-ups on an incline I can do. I like to show off how quick I am by demonstrating my agility in short little pick up games of basketball or football. I even eat a healthy meal in front of others... Read more »
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Apr 30
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9 “Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him". What I find so wonderful in this verse is the last four words. "God was with Hi… Read more »
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philsantillan added a text contribution Where is the Love?When I think of Stephen, I think of one of the greatest examples of being totally committed to following Christ. I probably see Stephen's actions a lot different from some people, at least from the ones I see with bullhorns on the street corners, or the people who only want to "put Christians in their place." Sure, Acts 7:51 shows us what appears to be a Stephen who is calling out the religious... Read more »
Apr 29
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philsantillan added a text contribution Why serve the Lord Whole-Heartedly?Because we were once slaves to sin. Now that we are free to serve Christ, let us cling to God's Word and God's will for our lives! Romans 12:1-2 Read more »
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philsantillan added a text contribution The myth of "Ungodly Earrings"Growing up I always heard from people that the bible says that guys shouldn't wear earrings. I could never get anyone to give me a strong biblical reference concerning this issue. What I did get was the reasoning that earrings were a sign of slavery and as Christians we are free don't believe in slavery. Funny thing is that when you read this passage that some people quote to validate their social... Read more »
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philsantillan added a text contribution Give to give...not to get.The motivation to give is just as important as the giving. Though many people would say that Jesus was a socialist, I would say that Jesus was benevolent. It wasn't as much about "spreading the wealth" as it was giving to need from a willful heart. What if we gave of ourselves without expecting anything in return? What if we gave sacrificially without ever giving into the urge to wear our generosity... Read more »