Reformed Blogging

It's really something that even times of crisis bring out the worst in some people. Why God has allowed the plague to happen is something I can't answer at all. I don't even claim to have the answers but only speculations waiting to be shot down in eternity. The Coronavirus crisis has brought up the worst in many people. Many people in the United States of America (USA) are demanding for their "freedom" in spite of the epidemic. Some people in the Philippines are caught defying protocols one way or another. It's already innate in sinful humanity to hate following even the most basic of rules and provisions. Such people today even rally and cause trouble during the Coronavirus crisis reminding me of Korah's rebellion in Numbers 16. Korah was Moses' first cousin while the brothers Dathan and Abiram belonged to the Tribe of Reuben. The whole rebellion was because they felt that they were all holy when they weren't. Korah's rebellion was again...

While doing my study on Ephesians - it just struck my cord at how authority figures are conveniently ignoring some verses. Ephesians 6:1-9 are verses that talk about give and take relationship. Even a heathen philosopher like Confucius demanded people not to do unto others what you don't want others to do unto you. Jesus stated it as do unto others what you want them to do unto you. Now, let's consider the verses in their proper sequence: Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; 3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.  4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  5 Servants (actually slaves, emphasis mine ), be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; 6 Not with eyeservice, as menpl...

Psalm 34 was one Psalm I thought was crazy because I was already having a faith crisis in God. While I was still a Roman Catholic nearly becoming an atheist (and I even considered converting to either Buddhism or Islam) - Psalm 34 just felt absurd. That was until I realized that having a heart that thanks God for the bad times and the good times is something. It's not that I should go out there and look for hardship. Rather, if God has a purpose for letting hardships happen then shouldn't it mean that I may have secret sins that I need to deal with? Job certainly got revealed of some tiny self-righteousness he didn't know was there. God used frequent chastising to set His wayward children back on track. You can see God punishing Jacob frequently but not Esau. God only disciplines His own while leaves those who aren't His to enjoy sinful pleasures until the right time. I was reading through the Tecarta Bible application and the reading for the day was Psalm 34. The f...

I was reading through The Spurgeon Center and found an article where it talked about Charles H. Spurgeon and the cholera epidemic . One of the most striking points by Pastor Geoff Chang on his article are as follows:  Pastors need to exercise wisdom when it comes to gathering as a church, especially when the health and lives of people are at stake . Certainly, adjustments will need to be made and priority will have to be given to only the most important aspects of our gatherings. But when such gatherings are possible, pastors should realize that they can be tremendous opportunities for preaching the gospel to those who are desperately looking for hope.  The case of Spurgeon was that his side of the community was not quarantined. I would say that the grace of God was at work that allowed Spurgeon to have gatherings in spite of the plague. However, what if God won't grant pastors today that privilege today as Spurgeon had it? What if the government would temporarily put ce...

I was thinking about how some Baptist preachers are indeed quack preachers. I remembered Steven Anderson actually dared to pray that Barack Obama would die and go to Hell. But this is not what the Bible says about how we should approach authorities.  Romans 13:1-7  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for con...