The Appointment

A police captain was fired in the Philippines for the crime of extortion, and he got so mad, that he hijacked a tourist bus with several tourists on board, and demanded his job back. During the siege, he lost control, and some tourists were killed. The police stormed the bus, and eventually hijacker was shot dead. Here is some news footage:

It is important to remember that God is always in control of events. It is written:

Jeremiah 32:17 “Ah Lord GOD! behold, Thou hast made the heaven and the earth by Thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for Thee”

Everyone has a personal appointment with God, the appointment of death:

Hebrews 9:27 ” And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”

We spend a lot of time preparing for life, but we should prepare for death also. How? Let us read further:

Hebrews 9:28-29  ”And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”

Have you met Jesus the Christ yet? I made a video on how to prepare for death a few years ago. It was my first YouTube video, which is why it is a bit fuzzy.

I pray you are blessed!

The Silent Voice of God

The world is going down the tube. Sin has become politically correct. People flock to religions which offer imaginary false gods, who will tolerate their sin, and deaden their conscience. No-one is immune, even me. There was a time when I would welcome all of this as a good thing, but I now have a problem. My spirit was brought to life by the living and true God, and the world now gives me a feeling of nausea, overlaid by a feeling of concern about inevitable doom of those not spiritually alive. Last rounds, ladies and gentlemen. it’s closing time.

All this time God screams at the world that it is fallen, and offers salvation in the death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. The world is  not listening. Now many “acts of God” are needed to wake people up. How many floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, epidemics, famines, and wars must happen to make people see? Or maybe these things are just warnings to be recognized only by the elect of God?

What should I do? I share the Gospel but no-one believes it. Some say they believe it but it is obvious that they do not. Is it possible to be born again and have no desire to read the Bible, worship God, fellowship with the brothers and sisters in Christ?

There are two options to take. Stop caring about the result and just minister to the lost in obedience but without really knowing what will happen. The other is better but harder to find. I need to know what God is doing, and join in His work. I need to join Him in His work, and not improve on mine. I need to listen to the silent voice of God.

I am going on a retreat sometime in December, in Tagaytay, a tranquil place near Metro-Manila, Philippines, next to Taal volcano. I need to discern God’s will. That means being disconnected from the internet, TV, radio, books, entertainment, and even Study Bibles. Just God, the Bible, and me, for 5 days, alone. I really do not know what will happen. I am scared that nothing will happen. I am also scared that something might happen. Since this scary feeling can only come from Satan I am resolved to proceed with this plan. I leave it all to God. I really do not know what to do. I really am unable to commit the stupid mistake of recommending a solution to God. Please pray for me that I hear the silent voice of God, and obey what He says.

I took a walk in the woods with my son and his friend. I talk about my plans for a retreat and other random stuff. Here it is. Enjoy! Be strong in the Lord, who is coming soon! After all, it is written…

Was that the silent voice of God just then? I wish I knew for sure…

God bless,

George

Repent

Matthew Chapter 7

Judge not, that ye be not judged.

For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

When we were asked by our Lord to share the Gospel to the entire world, were we asked to do something that required a lot of skill? The Gospel is not difficult to understand. We are sinners. The penalty of sin is death and eternal torment in hell. Jesus Christ paid for your sins by His death on the cross. He was ressurected and will come again as Judge. Repent (reject sin) and believe in the Gospel. But only those called by God will believe. It is written:

1 Cor 1:17-21 “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.”

Does this mean that eloquence, argumentation, and philosophy will not work (“wisdom of words”) but instead communicating the Gospel of Jesus Christ (“foolishness of preaching”) is all that is required? Let us read on:

1 Cor 1:22-29 “For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.”

Miracles and philosophical argument are not the means to convert! Only God converts, and our role is simply to communicate the Gospel, and let God do the rest. The people who are called by God will not appear to be impressive to the world (“not many wise men”, “not many mighty”, not many noble”), and in fact, they will appear to be foolish and weak people. So it will be obvious that God was the one who converted, and the glory will be His.

So brothers and sisters in Christ, do not be discouraged, and do not shy from communicating the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Do you feel weak (unskilled, unimpressive, unintelligent, etc.)? It may be that God has chosen you, “..that no flesh should glory in His prescence.” Our highest calling in life is to be winners of souls, and the window of opportunity to do this is closing, as we are in the last days. Let us sieze the opportunity!

Rom 1:16a “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth…”

God bless,
George

How to prepare for death

Hello I am George Marcelo and I live in the Philippines. There are many places you can go to prepare for life. I am writing this post to show you how to prepare for death.

What happens when you die? Do you go to heaven or to hell? The Bible, which is the Word of God, says: “…it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment”. God tells us too that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”. God also says that “Sin is the transgression of the law.”

What law? The ten commandments. – do not worship other gods – do not worship idols – do not swear using God’s name – remember the sabbath day and set it apart for God i.e. go to church – honor your parents – do not murder (includes hating someone without cause) – do not commit adultery (includes looking lustfully at people) – do not steal – do not lie – do not covet (want things that are not yours)

We have all broken these laws. God tells us so. What will be the judgement: death and hell. God says “the wages of sin is death”, and “death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”

But God has provided a solution, by making His Son, Jesus Christ take the punishment, because God loves us: God says: “God commendeth his love toward us, in that,while we were yet sinners,Christ died for us.”

So how do you get saved from death and hell? Believe that Jesus Christ is (1) God the Son (2) Died in our place (3) Rose again from the dead (4) repent, that is, reject sin, turn away from sin (5) Receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Thanks for reading.

Check out my YouTube Channel (http://www.youtube.com/georgeamarcelo) where I have playlists and favorites that are of interest to those who are searching for the truth amid the rampant deception that exists in the world.

Till next time, may God bless you all!

George