Kaibigan spring 2018 by Analisa Chua

Kaibigan

contents

Taipei International Church Tagalog Fellowship

FEATURES

Magazine

Publisher

11 WORKOUT GOD’S PROMISES FOR FULFILLMENT

Atty. Fredrick Norman Voigtmann Co-Publisher

Know how to attain God’s promises in your life.

Rev. Roberto Awa-Ao

22 INSURANCE POLICY NI MOMMY ELSA

Editor-in-Chief

Analisa N. Chua

Alamin kung saan nga ba dapat magpaseguro ng ating buhay.

Managing Editor/Designer

Rev. Paul Ko Rev. Ron Adhikari Rev. Zhang Ren Ai Rev. Immanuel Scharrer

26 ROOF OFF WALLS DOWN Understand the process of roof off and walls down in a Christian life.

Multilingual Contributing Editors

DEPARTMENTS

Ann Cielo Ko Contributor

04 PANANAW Panunumbalik ng Pag-asa

Nelissa Ilog Shih Contributing Photographer

Alamin ang kailangan mo upang mapanauli ang napawi mong pag-asa sa buhay.

Lilia Tan Mailing Coordinator

08 PATNUBAY Panibagong Pagsibol

Kaibigan

is published by Tagalog Fellowship of Taipei International Church AKA ROC International Christian Goodwill Association.

Sa buhay kung mayron mang panahon ng taglamig at tagtuyot ay mayron din panahon ng muling pamumulaklak na makakamtan sa tamang pananaw at pananalig.

TAGALOG FELLOWSHIP HOTLINE:

2834-4127 SMS request for magazine, write your complete name, address with zip code: 0922300808, 0972921681 (text, viber, line) ©2018 by Kaibigan magazine, Taipei International Church, Tagalog Fellowship. Printed in Taiwan Volume 22, Number 1 For donations to Kaibigan Magazine Ministry for print and mailing cost to all Kaibigan magazine subscribers. Please send to: #432, 7F, Suite 704, Keelung Rd. Sec. 1, Sinyi Dist. Taipei City or to #248, 7F Chung Shan N. Rd. Sec. 6, Taipei City, and write or attached a note saying,“this is a donation for Kaibigan magazine,” and you can send it by registered mail or postal money order.

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PAMPAMILYA MY TESTIMONY MESSAGE PAROLA (ENGLISH, MANDARIN, INDONESIAN AND THAI) PANGKALUSUGAN FAITHWALK VIETNAMESE THAI BIBLE WORD SEARCH COVERSTORY PAGE 19

Roberto Awa-ao, Editor-in-Chief

FAITHFUL TO THE END For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. Hebrews 3:14 (NLT) Billy Graham one of the most influential religious figures of 20th century went home to his Lord at age 99. He toiled in the harvest field, reaching people of all class and race with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was told that he preached to more than 100 million people in person and reached more thru films, print, radio and television. And even at his death, his recorded preaching are constantly viewed in social media. In the time where scandals, gossips and bloopers slowed down, stopped and immobilized leaders, he became an exemplary model of integrity. He left a legacy not only for his family, his church, but also to all who will be called to enter the ministry. He run the race, he stayed the course and showed us what it meant to live as faithful servant.

Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful May the fire of our devotion light their way May the footprints that we leave Lead them to believe And the lives we live inspire them to obey May the grace of God surround us as we live and serve Him, until the day we hear him saying, ‘Well done, good and faithful ser vant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ Matthew 25:23(NKJV) To all our readers, I hope that this issue of Kaibigan Magazine inspire us to live faithful to the end.

My hope and prayer is embodied in the lyrics of ‘Find us Faithful’ by Steve Green;

To help you in your pilgrimage here in Taiwan, please contact and join us, you may visit our office during weekdays for prayer and counselling @ 7F No. 248 Zhong Shan N. Rd. Section 6,Taipei City 11161. Contact: (02) 2833-7444, 2835-2788. We also post encouraging Word of God at Tagalog Facebook Page, visit ‘Tagalog Fellowship’ Live Stream: Our Sunday Tagalog Worship Celebration is being broadcast live in our Youtube Channel; Tagalog Fellowship, every Sunday 2pm – Taiwan Time. Archives of messages and teachings are both posted in ‘Tagalog Fellowship’ facebook page and ‘Tagalog Fellowship’ youtube channel. Kaibigan

pananaw

ni Rev. Roberto Awa-ao

a aking pakikisalamuha sa mga kababayan dito sa Taiwan, isa ang pangkaraniwan kong naririnig na struggles, ito ay ang pagkakahiwalay sa kanilang mahal sa buhay. Ang pagkalayo sa tahanan ay parang isang mapait na apdo. Ang ilan ay nakakaranas ng depression dahil sa pagkawalay. Si Jeremias ay isang propeta ng Diyos, bagamat siya ay propeta siya ma’y nakaranas ng panghihina ng loob, kawalan ng ganang mabuhay at kasalatan ng pag-asa. Nasabi niya,

Feb-May 2018

“I do not have much longer to live; my hope in the Lord is gone.” Ang malabis na pag-iisip, mga sakit na nararanasan at kawalan ng tahanan ay nagbigay sa kanya ng depression. Ito ang sabi niya; “The thought of my pain, my homelessness, is bitter poison. I think of it constantly, and my spirit is depressed.” Ang mga nasabi ni Jeremias at mga katagang hindi mo inaasahan sa isang propeta ng Diyos; kalungkutan, kawalan ng ganang mabuhay, kawalan ng pag-asa.

Ang mabuting balita, sa Diyos ay maaaring manumbalik ang pag-asa. Pag-asang Sa panahon man na tayo ay nakakaranas ng mag-aalis ng lungkot at magpapasigla upang paghihirap at mga pagsubok na tila walang mabuhay. katapusan. Magpatuloy lang tayong nanalig at kumikilos ayon sa Kanyang kalooban. Ang pag-asa ay nanumbalik kay Jeremias, Matahimik tayong maghintay ng Kanyang sa gitna ng matinding pagsubok. Sa pagtugon, sapagkat nakikita Niya ang ating panahon ng kagipitan, kalungkutan, at tunay na kalalagayan. kawalan, meron siyang naalala at nasabi niya, “Gayunma’y nanunumbalik ang aking Sa panahon na tayo ay nalihis at nagkasala, pag-asa pag naalaala ko ito: Ang hindi mainam tayong magpakumbaba sa harapan ng nagmamaliw na pag-ibig ni Yahweh Diyos, humingi ng tawad at huwag mawawalan at ang kanyang walang kupas na ng pag-asa. Hindi tayo nawawalan ng pagkahabagan, Hindi nagbabago tulad ng asa dahil ang Diyos na ating pinaglilingkuran bukang-liwayway, Dakila ang kanyang ay mahabaging Diyos, hindi Niya tayo katapatan. Si Yahweh ay akin, sa kanya itatakwil habang panahon. Bagaman Siya’y ako magtitiwala.” nagpaparusa, hindi nawawala ang Kanyang pag-ibig. Hindi niya ikatutuwang tayo’y Ang pagkilala sa buhay na Diyos ay saktan o pahirapan. magpapanumbalik ng pag-asa. Ang pagkakaalam na tayo ay ini-ibig Niya nang isang Nanunumbalik ang ating pag-asa dahil pag-ibig na hindi nauubos at ang Kanyang hindi nalilingid sa Diyos kung naghihirap ang kahabagan ay hindi kumukupas, ito ay sariwa ating kalooban, alam Niya kung sinisikil ang bawat umaga. ating karapatan, alam Niya ang pinagdaraanan natin, ang ating mga luha sa gabi at ang Matapat ang Diyos, Siya ay pag-ibig, Siya lungkot na tinatago ng selfy. Hindi makakaila ang pag-asa, Siya ang nagpapalakas sa ating sa kanya kung tayo ay hindi na kakatanggap kaluluwa, tumutugon sa ating panalangin, ng tamang pahinga, pagkain, atensyon, nagpapagaling sa ating mga karamdaman at kalinga mula sa mahal sa buhay. Hindi nagbabago ng ating buhay. man nakikita ng ating mga mahal sa buhay ang ating tunay na pinagdaraanan – alam Habang may buhay ay may pag-asa dahil ng Diyos. Kailan man hindi maitatago ng tayo ay may Diyos na umiibig sa atin at magarang damit, pampaputing sabon, ni matapat. Dahil ang Diyos ay nagmamahal at ng magagandang ‘facebook post’ ang ating may dakilang katapatan, tayo ay makaka-asa pagkapagod sa buhay. sa Kanyang katapatan. Alam ng Diyos ang ating pinagdaraanan, Nakakapagbigay siya ng pag-asa dahil, hindi natin kailangan malunod sa lungkot o “si Yahweh ay mabuti sa mga nagtitiwala inggit, ni panghinaan man ng loob. sa kanya, pinakamabuting magagawa ng tao ay buong tiyagang maghintay Ang pinakamainam ay mamuhay tayo na sa pagliligtas ni Yahweh. At mabuti sa may palagiang pagsusuri sa ating saril at isang tao na siya’y matutong magtiyaga ating pamumuhay, at tayo’y manumbalik kay mula sa kanyang kabataan.” Yahweh. Sa ating panunumbalik sa Kanya, Kaibigan

ang pag-asa ay bumabalik! Ang tapat na pag-ibig ng Panginoon ay hindi nagmamaliw, ang kanyang mga habag ay hindi natatapos; sariwa ang mga iyon tuwing umaga, dakila ang iyong katapatan. “Ang Panginoon ay aking bahagi,” sabi ng aking kaluluwa; “kaya’t ako’y aasa sa kanya.” Ang Panginoon ay mabuti sa kanila na

naghihintay sa kanya, sa kaluluwa na humahanap sa kanya. Mabuti nga na ang tao ay tahimik na maghintay para sa pagliligtas ng Panginoon. Panaghoy 3:22-26 Kaibigan

Sa lahat ng mambabasa, hangad namin na kayo ay matulungan sa inyong buhay Espritual, para sa karagdagang pagtuturo, bible study, prayer or counseling tumawag sa (02)2833-7444, o kumontak sa Line ‘obet awa-ao’. Bumisita din at i-like ang Tagalog Fellowship facebook page. Kayo ay aming ina-anyayahang dumalo sa aming Sunday Worship Service, 2pm na ginaganap sa Taipei American School, 800 Chungshan N.Rd, (Tienmu), Shilin District, Taipei. Maari din kayong mag-email sa obet70@gmail.com

Bro Obet Awa-ao -Pastor, Taipei International Church, Tagalog Fellowship Church Office: 7F No. 248 Zhong Shan N. Rd. Section 6, Taipei City 11161. Contact: (02) 2833-7444 For daily Word of God, visit Tagalog Facebook Page: ‘Tagalog Fellowship’

Feb-May 2018

pampamilya Dealing With Fear After Tragedy

ay to day life provides opportunities to teach children about God. It’s the job of parents to frame the picture of world events, to help children understand life from God’s point of view. Teachable moments become available in times of crisis. That doesn’t mean that you preach or lecture. It means that you ask questions and carefully share information that can guide your children to right thinking. So what do you say? How do you respond to their questions? How can you draw your children into productive discussions? What kinds of things can you do that will help your kids during this time? Here are some things to consider when helping children deal with fear and questions about world events: • Be careful about lying to your children by saying, “It’s all okay.” Your children can see that things aren’t okay. In fact, this kind of statement can be counterproductive and cause children to feel like they can’t trust you, further increasing feelings of insecurity. • Explain that the world isn’t out of control and help put these events into perspective. Pray with your kids about those directly involved in the tragedy.

cares for us and he is in charge (Psalm 46). • Answer your child’s questions. Explain the details briefly in clear terms and then focus on the good that we see in God and in the people who are helping. • The solution for fear is to learn to trust. Trust is the ability to release control to another. Children can learn to trust when they take small steps of risk and have positive experiences over a period of time. Gently encourage children to take small risks of separation and then provide the comfort they need. During that process children need a lot of parental love, patience, encouragement, and support. Remember, it’s God’s presence that helps us through difficult times. Kaibigan

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• God is with us always. We can trust him. His angels protect us. God loves us and

Kaibigan

patnubay

ni Pastor Paul Ko

arito na ang panahon ng pagsibol (Spring) sa Taiwan! Wow, makikita nanaman ang magaganda at makukulay na bulaklak gaya ng Plum Blossom kasama na ang halimuyak nito sa mga pasyalan at kabundukan sa Taiwan. Para sa nakakarami ay masayang panahon ito hindi gaya ng Taglamig (winter). Subalit sa kabila na ang panahon ay maganda, para sa iba ay tila hindi na makararanas ng Tagsibol o pamumulaklak sa buhay. Pakiramdam nila ay parating Taglamig. Upang maunawaan ang kalagayan ng mga nawalan ng matirhan sa New York, iniwan ng news anchor woman na si Pat Harper ang mamahaling East Side Apartment na tinitirhan. Dala lamang niya sa bulsa ay 80 sentimo at limang araw nanahan sa lansangan ng New York. Naglibot siya sa nagyeyelong ulan. Natutulog siya sa tabi ng mga pintuan, stasyon ng tren, at mga

Feb-May 2018

pampublikong tahanan. Natanto niya na ang mga walang matirhan ay wala namang kinaibahan kaysa sa kanya. May mga tao na tumutulong at binibigyan siya ng pagkain at payo paano mamuhay ng walang salapi. Sa kanyang pailalim na inbestigasyon, natanto niya na ang mga walang matirhan ay mga pangkaraniwang tao na tinamaan ng problema sa pananalapi kung saan hindi na sila nakaahon. Subalit hindi lamang ang mga homeless ang dumadanas ng Taglamig sa buhay. Ganuon din ang nararanasan ng mga nasiraan ng loob. Mga nawalan ng asawaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mga anak. Mga nawalan ng trabaho at pamilya. Mga hikaos at itinakwil na ng tadhana. Mga inabuso o inaabuso at pinagsasamantalahan ng kapwa. Maaring ilan sa kababayan at kamag-anak natin ay dumadaan sa ganitong Taglamig na kalagayan. Maaaring ikaw din ay nasa ganitong kalagayan. Paano muling

makaranas ng Tagsibol? Nang Pag-ahon sa lamig ng buhay? Pag-ahon sa kinasasadlakan? Ang mabuting Balita ay may isa na iniwan ang karangyaan sa kinalalagyan at lumakad sa nilalakaran ng mga mga itinakwil ng tadhana at pinatay na ng kawalang pag-asa. Dala niya ang kaloob at kapangyarihang makabangon muli. Dala niya ang tugon paano mapagtagumpayan ang kawalan ng pag-asa, pagkabigo, pagkabagbag. Dala niya ang pagasa para sa mga taong nadurog ang panaginip at may kabigatang hindi makayanan.

kamag-anak kundi namatayan ng pag-asa sa buhay. Pinatay na ng kakulangan sa buhay. Pinatay na ng sakit na hindi na magamotgamot. Pinatay na rin ng napasukang masamang relasyon o bisyo. Pinatay ng mga pangit na karanasan. Tulala sa hinaharap. Sa gitna ng kaalagayan ay nagtatanong kung paano makakahulagpos sa kinasadlakang na unti-unting ngumangat-ngat na parang anay sa buhay at humihila sa kanila sa hukay ng libingan. Para na rin silang inilibing bagama’t buhay pa. Nauubusan ka ba ng pag-asa? Mayroon ka bang mabigat na karamdaman? T u n g h a y a n n a t i n a n g b a b a i n g Nasira na ba ang pagsasama ninyo ng iyong tumanggap ng tugon sa pangyayari sa asawa at pamilya? Ikaw ba ay alipin at nasira kanyang buhay. Ganito ang nangyari, na ng masamang bisyo? Gaya ng nabalong “Kinabuk asan, nang yari na siya ina, nais ni Jesus na makabangon ka muli (Jesus) ay pumunta sa isang lungsod sa lamig ng iyong buhay. Ito ang dahilan na tinatawag na Nain. Sumama sa kung bakit pumarito si Jesus para sa iyo. kaniya ang marami sa kaniyang mga Nahahabag si Jesus sa iyo. alagad at ang napakaraming tao. Nang papalapit na siya sa tarangkahan ng Na-ikuwento ni Catherine Marshall sa lungsod. Narito, may isang taong patay isa niyang aklat tungkol sa kung paano siya na at binubuhat papalabas. Ang lalaking napinsala ng magpaphysical examination patay ay nag-iisang anak ng kaniyang siya. Nalaman na may tuberculosis siya. ina na isang balo. Maraming mga Hindi siyang handang tanggapin ang balita. mamamayan ng lungsod ang kasama ng Inutusan siyang magpahinga dalawampung ina.” (Lucas 7:11-12). oras araw- araw. Dumaan ang isang taon Ang namatay ay ang batang lalaki na at kalahati. Walang napansin pagbabago. inililibing ng ina. Iniwan na ang nag-iisang ina, at nauna pa rito’y namatay na rin ang asawang lalaki kung kaya’t balo na ang Dala niya ang kaloob at ina. Dala ang pinagsamang lungkot sa kapangyarihang makabangon pangungulila sa yumaong pamilya kasama na muli. Dala niya ang tugon rin ang pag-aalala sa mangyayari pagkatapos ng libing. Sa kultura na kung saan ang mga paano mapagtagumpayan ang lalaki ang naghahari, ang mga balo na tulad kawalan ng pag-asa, pagkabigo, ng naiwang ina ay kaawawa. Wala silang pagkabagbag. Dala niya ang pagopportunidad na hinaharap para sa pang asa para sa mga taong nadurog kabuhayan. Paano mabubuhay ang ina sa ang panaginip at may kabigatang gitna ng kalalagayang ito? Nawala na ang tanging pag-asa niya na bubuhay sa kaniya? hindi makayanan. Gaya ng ina sa storya, maraming ina, anak, ama ay namatayan din. Hindi namatayan ng Kaibigan

Nagsimula magkaroon ng pagdurusa sa isip si Catherine. Inisip niya kung mayroon ba siyang pagkakasalang nagawa? May nagawan ba siya na masama? Bakit hindi siya sinasagot ng Diyos? Humingi siya ng tawad sa lahat ng kasama sa buhay. Ano pa ang gagawin? Hanggang sumuko na siya sa pagkatalo. Lumaban, nakibaka, nag-alala hanggang wala na talaga. Habang nakatayo sa bintana, nanalangin siya. Isinuko niya ang lahat lahat sa Diyos, “Panginoon, tulungan mo ako!” Hindi na siya humadlang pa kung ano ang kalooban ng Diyos. Sa loob ng 6 na Linggo, umayos ang kanyang kalagayan hanggang nakalakad siya. Nakapaghardin, nakagawa ng jelly, at hanggang nanumbalik ang normal niyang buhay. “Nang makita siya (ang ina ng namatay) ng Panginoon, siya ay nahabag sa kaniya. Sinabi niya sa kaniya: Huwag kang umiyak. Lumapit si Jesus at hinipo ang kinalalagyan ng patay at ang mga bumubuhat nito ay tumigil. Sinabi niya: Binata, sinasabi ko sa iyo, bumangon ka.” -(Lucas 7:13-14)

Feb-May 2018

Nahahabag ang Diyos at gagawa sa iyong buhay ngayon, kung ipahihipo mo sa Kanya ang iyong patay na pag-asa. Pumarito si Jesus upang bigyan ka ng panibagong pagsibol sa buhay. Panibagong halimuyak ng Bulaklak ng pag-asa. Ibabangon ka niya. Kailangan mo lamang na magtiwala sa kanya. Huwag mong itanggi ang iyong situasyon kay Jesus. Ano ang gagawin? Manalangin ka at hingin sa Panginoong Jesus na hipuin ang buhay mo ngayon din mula sa kaibuturan ng iyong puso. Gagawin mo ba? A Blessed Spring Time Indeed!

Kaibigan

If you need me to pray for you or you have question, simply send an email message to: paul@launchpoint.cc

by Danny Junco

postle Peter told the believers that God through His divine power has given them all things pertaining to life and godliness but this can be found of His promises (2 Peter1:2-4). According to Bible scholars, the promises of God found in the Bible are numbering to more than 7,000 and it is the duty of the Christians to seek them and claim it depending on what they need at that time. Let say, if disciples need finances to settle all their financial obligations, they have to locate all the verses relating to God’s promises of abundant provisions or specifically money, and believing that He will give it to them. Or in the case of a believer who needs healing and will say God is a healer then He will heal me. But he just wait for God to heal him without doing anything like the typical “Juan Tamad” do you think God will heal him? I reserve my doubt that God will heal him though God has promised with so many verses in the Holy Scriptures regarding healing for His people physically, emotionally or spiritually without exerting effort to seek God’s face. In seeking God’s face it involves time, the

place or venue and even sacrifice until such time God has released His assurance to heal that person from his sickness. The Bible has so many examples for people who sought God’s promises for its fulfillment. Take for example, Daniel, the student of the Old Testament Scripture, who was exiled in Babylon together with other wise, educated and upper class Jewish young people. When he read the writing of Prophet Jeremiah in a certain passage of the Scripture regarding the captivity and exile of the Israelites in Babylon and after 70 years God would bring them back to their land in Israel. The first thing that Daniel did was to pray and fast for 21 days that God would honor His promise to release the Jews from their captivity in Babylon. According to the Bible (Daniel 9: 1-27; 10: ), that on the first day of Daniel’s prayer and fasting God heard his supplication and Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to bring the answer to Daniel but the Prince of Persia, Satan’s angelic messenger, blocked and fought Gabriel in the heavenly realm but Archangel Michael came to his rescue. You see if Daniel would just sit and relax and had nothing to do but to wait for God to do it, do you think they would be brought Kaibigan

back to Israel by God. I don’t think so. If God had promised as stated in His Holy Word, the people of God should work it out instantaneously. Another example was Ezra, the leader of the Jews, who and his fellow Israelites were in exile in Medes-Persia. But through the sovereign grace of God, He used the Persian King to allow Ezra and thousands of the Jews along the members of their families to go back to Israel bringing with them the sacred vessels of the ruined magnificent temple built by King Solomon. Ezra did not ask the King to let his hundred troops to accompany them in going back to Jerusalem as he told the King that God would honor and bless His people if they would obey and please Him. What Ezra did he requested the Jews to pray and fast to God that He would protect them from the robbers, marauders or evil people, pestilence as they had suckling toddlers when they would go home to their sacred and beloved land Israel. God heard and answered their prayers through fasting showing their humility and total dependency to God. In the same way with Nehemiah as he prayed and fasted that the King whom he has served as a butler would allow him to go to Jerusalem after receiving reports that the wall of Jerusalem was broken down and his Jewish people would be in great danger by the enemies surrounding them. God used Nehemiah to repair and make the wall of Jerusalem so sturdy in only a short period of time. Esther also asked his uncle Mordecai together with the Jews to pray and fast for three days as she would go to the King’s Court to void the edict signed by the King of Persia through the initiative of Haman for his plan of killing all the Jews who live from as far as India to Ethiopia in Africa. In fact, Haman had used witch or witches to

Feb-May 2018

annihilate all the Jews. It was understood that Esther’s request was a matter of life and death as the Persian law stated that any person who approaches the King without his invitation and won’t stretch his scepter, that person automatically will die. Through the Sovereign God, Esther got favor from the King by stretching his scepter and reversing the edict and the plotter Haman and all supporters were the ones being killed. As I cited those people in the Old Testament whom God used and delivered His own people from destruction, there were also servants or people of God in the New Testament that He rescued from the pangs of death. Apostle Peter was one when he was about to be executed by King Herod of Jerusalem after the celebration of the Passover Feast. Peter was next in line after King Herod cut the head of Apostle James because of the preaching of the Gospel of Salvation and the Kingdom of God which pleased the Jews. But through the fervent and incessant prayers of Peter’s brethren, he was rescued by the supernatural act by an angel of God from the well guarded and secluded and maximum prison cell by the guards based on the strict order of King Herod. (Acts 12:5-18). Apostle Paul and Silas also who were mauled by the crowd in Philippi and shoved them into the dungeon with fetters on their hands and feet like hardened criminals along with prisoners after Paul cast away the divination spirit or python spirit who took residence in the body of the slave girl making huge profits to her masters out of divination. Instead of brooding and feeling discourage and having pitiful spirits due to their inhumane treatment by the people and authorities, Paul and Silas at midnight praised and worshipped God which prompted God to send earthquake to unlock their fetters and even the iron grilled-doors and the jail guard thinking that all the prisoners, including Paul

and Silas were able to escape was about to kill himself but Paul intervened and saved his life (Acts 16:16-32). Another fateful day of Paul when he was stoned by the mob in Lystra and many Bible commentators conjured that Paul had experienced clinical death before he was restored to life when the believers in that city surrounded and prayed for him (Acts 14:19-20). There are so many testimonies of Christians nowadays on how God has fulfilled His promises to them, including me. Notable of one of His promises was the return of the Jews to the land of Israel thousands of years ago. God punished them because of their rebellion against Him by scattering them all over the world. But He promised them to be brought

back to Israel and became a nation again and it was fulfilled on May 14, 1948. In just one day, God made Israel a nation again and until now there are thousands of Jews who go back to Israel and settle in Israel for good. Aside from working out Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s promises for fulfillment in our lives as believers in Jesus Christ (Messiah) based on these examples as recorded in the Bible, we also can learn a valuable lesson that we can be sure winner over Satanic rule on earth through winning in the heavenly realm. But we have to pray and fast (seeking Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face without eating foods) as this is the key to let God act of His promises and answer to our prayers. Kaibigan

Kaibigan

Huge Help Blessed day to everyone. I praise and thank God every time I received new edition of Kaibigan magazine. It’s really interesting to read every page with inspired word of God and the testimonies. It is a huge help in my spiritual growth and I’m grateful to be a part of Tagalog Fellowship family. Thank you to Kaibigan magazine and all its staff and our Pastor and most especially to our dear Lord. Praying more souls will be saved through Kaibigan magazines. A never-ending praise to our God for His faithfulness, thank you, to God be all the glory. More power and blessings to Kaibigan magazine. Violy Nadera Taipei City

Help for Spiritual Life Salamat sa Kaibigan magazine. Madami akong natututunan lalo na sa spiritual life ko at naging useful sa pag-aaral ko ng BSCC. God bless to all! Mely Garcia Taipei City

We’d love to hear from you!

Write us at Kaibigan, #432, Suite 704, 7F, Keelung Rd. Sec. 1, Sinyi District, Taipei 110; or email us at kaibiganmagazine@me.com or text us at 0972921681, or LINE or Viber.

Feb-May 2018

parola

(lighthouse prison ministry)

The Power of Positive Thinking I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. -- Psalm 27:13 (NIV)

any years ago, a psychologist/ theologian, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, wrote a book called “The Power of Positive Thinking.” In this book, Dr. Peale wrote that there is a “power” that a person can find in his or her daily life because they think “positively,” and not “negatively” and that by having good thoughts that things will be okay is better than having a bad attitude. There is some actual research to prove that this is true, that good thoughts and expectations can help a person to achieve more favorable results. Are you a “positive” thinker or a “negative” thinker? Is your view on your life generally “upbeat,” that is, that things day by day will be better, or, is your view the opposite, which is that things are always bad and getting worse? Actually, one of the big advantages of being a Christian is that the Bible tells us to be positive thinkers. Why? Because we believe that God is in control of our life, and that He loves us and will care for us. Sometimes it may not seem that way, but the Bible reminds us that “If God be for us, who can be against us?” It is a source of great joy and hope for every Christian to know a God who promises to watch over us, no matter who we are, where we are, or what we have done. There is no reason at all for a Christian to have “negative” thoughts because we have the assurance of our life eternal in heaven with God. No one in this world can take that promise away from a Christian. Do you have any “happy” thoughts? Do you have any “hopeful” thoughts or dreams about the future? These are all positive feelings which lift us up and

actually give us the “power” to make good things happen. Christians always know that no situation is hopeless and that even in the middle of very bad present circumstances, there is for sure a brighter future. So many people allow negative thoughts to pull them down and, after a while, they give up. A Christian, one who truly knows Jesus in their heart, will never give up, and not be pulled down because Christians believe in the reality of an eternal life. If you are having negative thoughts, Jesus is the answer. If you are feeling like giving up, Jesus is the answer. If you think that nobody knows, nobody cares about you, you are wrong: Jesus is the answer. What a huge difference it is to live as a “positive thinker.” If you don’t know the love of Jesus in your heart and mind, you are missing out on the best things in life: not money, sex, alcohol, drugs, power, all those things are temporary and only last a short time. The love of Jesus and his promise of an eternal life of joy will last forever. Jesus is calling you now, and He is waiting for your answer. Why not let Jesus help you to become a “positive thinker” and learn about the power that positive thinking can bring into your life. The story of Jesus is in the Bible; if you don’t have a Bible, ask for one, or write a letter to this magazine, Kaibigan Magazine, we will send you a Bible in your own language. Remember, you can be a “positive thinker.” Kaibigan

__________________________ Penned by Atty. Fredrick N. Voigtmann and translated into Chinese Traditional, Indonesian and Thai. Lighthouse Prison Ministry is a group of pastors and volunteers that visit inmates and held Bible studies in Kweishan prison. Inmates also get Kaibigan magazines every issue.

Kaibigan

Feb-May 2018

KEKUATAN BERPIKIR POSITIF Saya tetap mempunyai keyakinan akan hal ini: Saya akan melihat kebaikan Tuhan di negri orang-orang yang hidup. - Mazmur 27:13

ertahun-tahun yang lalu, seorang psikolog / teolog, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, menulis sebuah buku berjudul “The Power of Positive Thinking.” Dalam buku ini, Dr. Peale menulis bahwa ada “kekuatan” yang dapat ditemukan seseorang dalam kehidupan sehari-harinya karena mereka berpikir “positif”, dan tidak “negatif” dan bahwa dengan memiliki pemikiran yang baik bahwa segala sesuatu akan menjadi baik adalah lebih baik daripada memiliki sikap buruk. Ada beberapa penelitian aktual untuk membuktikan bahwa ini benar, bahwa pemikiran dan harapan yang baik dapat membantu seseorang mencapai hasil yang lebih baik. Apakah Anda seorang pemikir “positif” atau pemikir “negatif”? Apakah pandangan Anda tentang kehidupan Anda pada umumnya “optimis”, yaitu, bahwa seala hal hari demi hari akan menjadi lebih baik, atau, adalah pandangan Anda sebaliknya, yaitu bahwa seglanya adalah selalu buruk dan semakin buruk? Sebenarnya, salah satu keuntungan besar menjadi orang Kristen adalah bahwa Alkitab memberi tahu kita untuk menjadi pemikir yang positif. Mengapa? Karena kita percaya bahwa Tuhan mengendalikan hidup kita, dan bahwa Dia mengasihi kita dan akan memperhatikan kita. Kadang-kadang mungkin tidak tampak seperti itu, tetapi Alkitab mengingatkan kita bahwa “Jika Tuhan berpihak kita, siapa yang bisa melawan kita?” Ini adalah sumber sukacita besar dan harapan bagi setiap orang Kristen untuk mengenal Allah yang berjanji untuk mengawasi kita, tidak peduli siapa kita, di mana kita berada, atau apa yang telah kita lakukan. Tidak ada alasan sama sekali bagi seorang Kristen untuk memiliki pikiran “negatif” karena kita memiliki kepastian jaminan hidup abadi di surga bersama Tuhan. Tidak seorang pun di dunia ini dapat mengambil janji itu dari seorang Kristen. Apakah Anda memiliki

keinginan “bahagia”? Apakah Anda memiliki pikiran atau impian “harapan” akan masa depan? Semua ini adalah perasaan positif yang mengangkat kita dan benar-benar memberi kita “kekuatan” untuk membuat hal-hal yang baik akan terjadi. Orang Kristen selalu tahu bahwa tidak ada situasi yang sia-sia dan bahkan di tengah-tengah keadaan yang sangat buruk seperti sekarang, pasti ada masa depan yang lebih cerah. Begitu banyak orang membiarkan pikiran negatif mengacaukan mereka dan, setelah beberapa saat, mereka menyerah. Seorang Kristen, orang yang benar-benar mengenal Yesus di dalam hati mereka, tidak akan pernah menyerah, dan tidak akan jatuh karena orang Kristen percaya pada realitas hidup yang kekal. Jika Anda memiliki pikiran negatif, ingat Yesus adalah jawabannya. Jika Anda merasa ingin menyerah, Yesus adalah jawabannya. Jika Anda berpikir bahwa tidak ada yang tahu, tidak ada yang peduli dengan Anda, Anda salah: Yesus adalah jawabannya. Apa perbedaan besar untuk hidup sebagai “pemikir positif”. Jika Anda tidak tahu kasih Yesus dalam hati dan pikiran Anda, Anda kehilangan hal-hal terbaik dalam hidup ini: bukan uang, bukan seks, bukan alkohol, bukan obat-obatan, bukan kekuasaan, semua hal itu bersifat sementara dan hanya bertahan dalam waktu singkat. Kasih Yesus dan janjinya tentang kehidupan abadi akan tetap selamanya. Yesus memanggil Anda sekarang, dan Dia sedang menunggu jawaban Anda. Mengapa tidak membiarkan Yesus membantu Anda menjadi “pemikir positif” dan belajar tentang kekuatan yang dapat membawa pemikiran positif ke dalam hidup Anda. Kisah Yesus ada di dalam Alkitab; jika Anda tidak memiliki Alkitab, meminta satu, atau menulis surat ke majalah ini, Kaibigan Magazine, kami akan mengirimkan Anda sebuah Alkitab dalam bahasa Anda sendiri. Ingat, Anda dapat menjadi “pemikir positif.” Kaibigan

Kaibigan

Feb-May 2018

coverstory

Struggles of a Single Parent (Testimony of a Single Mother)

by Lilia Tan

eing a single mother is not easy at all. In my life, sometimes I got myself with a bad start or something went wrong along the wayâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;I would get so upset and irritated and would be angry on myself. Struggling alone here in Taiwan without my family and relatives to comfort or encourage me with words that would help me to calm down was very difficult. Way back in year 1990, I fell sick and was confined in the hospital in Linkou for a surgery to remove an ovary cyst. After the surgery I woke up in pain inside the hospital room and my cousin who was with me could not stay because she needed to go to her work and would be Kaibigan

back at the hospital by 8 p.m. only to attend to my needs. Being alone in that room during the day had made me feel more pain and loneliness that I was bearing inside of me––no one to talk to or comfort me to ease my agony. By God’s help I was able to get through that chapter in my life and when I was discharged from the hospital and recovered back on my feet, I was able to find a job in Taipei. Back when my two daughters were still young, I left them in the Philippines because I needed to work to support them and also for me to fend for myself because I had no husband or partner in life that I could rely on for help. I worked as a worker in factories, baby-sitting for families and house cleanings––did double jobs then to make ends meet. It was hard––all I could do then when I got so tired working on my jobs was to cry and felt sorry for myself and for my daughters. Time came that I was offered a stay-out full-time job from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. of an expat family in Taipei. I found out that when I started to work for them that they had a Filipina worker and I would be replacing her because she was about to go back to Philippines. This Filipina was a Christian that went to Taipei International Church and she took me to this church and introduced me to Tagalog Fellowship where I met Pastor Paul Ko and his wife, Sonia. I became a born-again Christian–– accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior and my faith in God grew and I made a decision to be baptized on my new faith last 2005. God’s amazing grace–– He led me to a place (TIC-

Feb-May 2018

Tagalog Fellowship) where I found home and where I had begun to have a new life with Him and peace of mind. From there I was given the opportunity to volunteer on helping and coordinating the Bible Study Correspondence Course (BSCC) with Pastor Paul Ko after Anabell Chua (former BSCC coordinator) went back to Philippines for treatment. It was a time that I also was jobless because my employer and his family left Taiwan. I enjoyed every minute of being a BSCC Coordinator volunteer but due to the fact that I needed to fend for myself and support also my daughters–– I needed to go and find a regular job. After some time I was offered a job as a building maintenance worker where the TIC church have their office. I left the volunteer work to Ana Ong and Alice Ong. Time came when I needed to take the volunteer work of BSCC coordinator again when Ana Ong resigned from church work and left the BSCC ministry for some personal reason. Presently, I do double jobs again–– my work as a building maintenance and my volunteer work fo r His (BSCC and Kaibigan) ministry. But I have no complaints with my situation though it is difficult both physically and emotionally b ut sp i r itu a ll y G o d is g ivin g me His s t r e ng t h a n d in s pir a ti on e a c h tryi ng

d ay s as H e sa id in His Wo r d , I can do all this by the power of Christ. He gives me strength. --Philippians 4:13 I know that the Lord God desires for me to live with His joy consistently satisfied with His providence. I have learned to spend quality time with Him––reading and studying His Word, talking with Him in prayers, or simply sitting quietly in His presence. Finally, I found out that being alone as a single parent is not too difficult even in the midst of loneliness, troubles and sorrows and being apart from my family that I still can survive and be an overcomer if Jesus Christ is in the center of my life. Now I am seeking Him always and keeping my perspective to put Him as my first priority in my life. I also thank God for giving me matured spiritual friends that helps me in my life and in my walk with the Lord. It is best to look for friends that will not be with you only on sunny days but also on rainy days and that will not always just praise you but rebuke you.

about our future and the world. There would be times that we will feel weak and down but His Word and promises will always be our strength. Life is hard but being a single parent is more difficult, the pain, the loneliness and the struggles are real and always there but for those of you who are reading this––honestly, life is worst and senseless and unbearable without God in your life.

As for me I will always choose to walk my path with Him that leads me to life. To God be the glory and blessings to all who walk When we established a great relationship with Him. Kaibigan with our Lord Jesus–– we will feel better

KAIBIGAN Magazine publication started 1996 with the goal to be of help to the Filipino workers in Taiwan especially those who can not have a day off from their work. It now incorporates other articles of different languages from other ministry group of the TE&B (Taiwan Expatriates & Beyond) Ministry and prayerfully and hopefully to print more copies for more souls for His Kingdom here in Taiwan. We will need all of your prayers that Kaibigan magazine can reach more people for the glory of God. With God all things are possible (Mark 10:27). The magazine is made possible also by the donations and prayers from friends and subscribers and by Taipei International Church-Tagalog Fellowship. You can be a partner of KAIBIGAN to help the guestworkers (foreign contract workers) by praying for us or if you would like to send a donation, you can send it to 7F, #248, Chung Shan N. Rd. Sec. 6, Taipei City.

Kaibigan

ni Pastor Paul Ko

inggo ng Pagkabuhay nitong Abril Uno! Naalala ko tuloy nang pangasiwaan ko ang libing ng isang ulirang ina na si Mommy Elsa. Siya ay taga-Southern California at nailibing nito lamang nakaraang buwan ng Marso 2018. Kilalang uliran ina si mommy Elsa. Dumanas ng malaking sakripisyo sa buhay sa pagmamahal sa kapamilya. Dala ng pagmamahal, pinaghirapan niyang madala sa Estados Unidos ang panganay niyang anak, kasama ang asawaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t anak nito. Isang Linggo bago pa bawian ng buhay si mommy Elsa, nabisita ko siya sa imbitasyon ng anak na si Annie sa ospital. Nalaman ko na may ilang

Feb-May 2018

panahon na napa-ilalim sa Dialysis si Elsa at nagkaroon nang maraming komplikasyon. Tinataya na hindi na maglalaon ang buhay ni mommy Elsa. Gusto ni Annie na bago man pumanaw si mommy Elsa ay magkaroon ang kanyang inay ng insurance policy sa langit. Insurance policy sa langit? Saan nakakakuha nito? Puede bang malaman kung sino ang lalapitan at paano magkaroon ng insurance policy sa langit? LUMAPIT KAY JESUS. SI Jesus ang tanging ahente ng Langit. Maraming peke na ahente sa lupa. Marahil nadaya na kayo ng mga pekeng recruiters o kaya ang mga

kakilala ninyong nadenggoy na. Maraming pekeng Santo. Mga Santo Santito, yun pala demonyito. Kailangan mong maglagay daw para makapasok sa langit. Kailangan mo daw ng kumadre at kumpadreng malakas sa langit para bigyan ka ng passes. Huwag nang padaya pa. Oo, May mga tutuong Santo, ngunit hindi naman sila autorisadong maglakad ng insurance policy mo sa langit. Inatasan silang mangaral at ituro kung sino ang autorisadong ahente. Kaya huwag nang padaya pa. Sinabi ng Banal na Kasulatan, iisang pangalan lamang ang lalapitan upang makamtan ang insurance policy na valid at reliable sa langit. Ganito ang nasususulat, “Sa kanya (Jesus) lamang matatagpuan ang kaligtasan, sapagkat walang ibang pangalan sa buong daigdig na ibinigay ng Diyos sa mga tao upang tayo ay maligtas” (Gawa 4:12). Heto ang sabi ng tutuong ahente m ism o n a si Je su s n g l an g it, “Ako ang daan, ang katotohanan, at ang buhay. Walang makakapunta sa Ama kundi sa pamamagitan ko”(Juan 14:6). Sino ba ang iyong ahente sa langit? Kanino ka ba lumalapit upang makakuha ng tutuong insurance policy sa langit? Tangging iisa lamang ang lehitimo at autorisadong ahente ng langit-Jesu Cristo. Siya ang tawagan at lapitan mo! Sino na ba ang mga nakatanggap ng libreng insurance policy ng langit? Isang kriminal. Nanawagan ang kriminal na nakapako kasama ni Jesus nang ganito, “Jesus, alalahanin mo ako kapag naghahari ka na.” Sumagot si Jesus, “Sinasabi ko sa iyo, isasama kita ngayon sa Paraiso.” Aba, hindi pa patay ang kriminal na iyon ay nakamtan niya ang libreng insurance policy sa langit. Paano nangyari iyon kamo? Hindi ba’t

kriminal iyon? Samakatuwid ba, kapag kriminal ka at nanalig ka kay Jesus ay tanggap ka sa langit? Pansinin ang usapan ng dalawang kriminal. “Tinuya rin siya (Jesus) ng isa sa mga salaring nakapako sa tabi niya, “Hindi ba ikaw ang Cristo? Iligtas mo ang iyong sarili at pati na rin kami.” Ngunit pinagsabihan naman ito ng kanyang kasama, “Wala ka na bang takot sa Diyos? Ikaw ay pinaparusahan ding tulad niya! Tama lamang na tayo’y parusahan nang ganito dahil sa ating mga ginawa; ngunit ang taong ito’y walang ginawang masama.” Samakatuwid, tutuong inamin ng kriminal na nanawagan kay Jesus ang kanyang pagka makasalanan at ang kaparusahan angkop. Nanalig siya kung sino si Jesus. Ano ang ibig sabihin? Lahat nga tayo ay makasalanan (Roma 3:23). Subalit ang tutuong umaamin, nagsisi, nagpakumbaba sa Diyos at nanalig kay Jesus ng buong puso ang siyang patatawarin at tatanggap ng insurance policy sa langit (Mga Gawa 2:37-38). Isang dating mang-uusig ni Jesus. Pinatotoo ni Saulo, ang dating mag-uusig nang mga alagad ni Jesus, “Inusig ko at ipinapatay ang mga sumusunod sa Daang ito. Ipinagapos ko sila’t ipinabilanggo, maging lalaki o maging babae. Makakapagpatotoo tungkol dito ang pinakapunong pari at ang buong kapulungan ng mga matatandang pinuno ng bayan. Binigyan pa nga nila ako ng mga sulat para sa mga Judio sa Damasco, kaya’t pumunta ako roon upang dakpin ang mga kaanib ng Daang ito at dalhin sila dito sa Jerusalem nang nakagapos upang parusahan.”Nang malapit na ako sa Damasco, magtatanghaling-tapat noon, may biglang kumislap sa aking Kaibigan

paligid na isang matinding liwanag mula sa langit. Bumagsak ako sa lupa at narinig ko ang isang tinig na nagsalita sa akin, ‘Saulo, Saulo! Bakit mo ako inuusig?’ Ako’y sumagot, ‘Sino po kayo, Panginoon?’ ‘Ako ang iyong pinag-uusig na si Jesus na taga-Nazaret,’ tugon ng tinig. Nakita ng mga kasama ko ang liwanag, ngunit hindi nila narinig ang tinig na nagsasalita sa akin. ‘Ano po ang gagawin ko, Panginoon?’ tanong ko. At tumugon ang Panginoon, ‘Tumayo ka at pumunta sa Damasco. Sasabihin sa iyo roon ang lahat ng itinakda na dapat mong gawin.’ (Gawa 22:4-10). Kung isa kang rebelde at umuusig sa mga sumusunod kay Jesus gaya ni Saulo, puede ka rin tumanggap ng insurance policy kung tutuong kikilala ka at mananawagan ka sa Panginoong Jesus gaya ni Saulo.

sinabi niya, “Ginoo, kung kayo po ang kumuha sa kanya, pakituro nga po ninyo sa akin kung saan ninyo siya inilagay at kukunin ko.” “Maria!” sabi ni Jesus. Humarap siya at kanyang sinabi sa wikang Hebreo, “Raboni!” na ang ibig sabihi’y “Guro.” Sabi ni Jesus, “Huwag mo akong hawakan sapagkat hindi pa ako nakakapunta sa Ama. Sa halip, pumunta ka sa aking mga kapatid at sabihin mo sa kanila na aakyat ako sa aking Ama at inyong Ama, sa aking Diyos at inyong Diyos” (Juan 20). Isa lamang siya sa marami na pinalaya sa kapangyarihan ng mga masamang espirito at nakatanggap ng insurance policy sa langit gawa ng kanyang pananalig kay Jesus. Ano mang demonyo ang umaapi sa iyo at nagpapahirap, puede kang palayain ni Jesus! Nakakarinig ka ba ng tinig? Bumubulong sa iyo? O napapaligiran ng taong may toxic Isang babaing inaalihan ng demonyo. spirits. Malamang masamang espirito iyan. A n g , “ b a b a i n g p i n a g a l i n g n i y a s a Humingi ka ng tulong kay Jesus ngayon din. masasamang espiritu at sa kanilang mga Palalayasin ni Jesus iyan. karamdaman: si Maria na tinatawag na Magdalena (mula sa kanya’y pitong demonyo Isang alagad na mapagduda. ang pinalayas)” (Lucas 8:2). Ito ang babaing Nang ipinahayag ng ibang alagad naiwan sa libingan at nakatayong umiiyak na nagpakita si Jesus nuong wala sa labas ng libingan. Siya rin ang nakakita pa siya, Sumagot si Tomas, “Hindi ng dalawang anghel na nakadamit ng puti at ako maniniwala hangga’t hindi ko nakaupo sa pinaglagyan ng bangkay ni Jesus. nakikita ang mga butas ng mga pako Sa puntong iyon tinanong ng mga Anghel si sa kanyang mga kamay, at hangga’t Maria, hindi ko nailalagay ang aking daliri “Babae, bakit ka umiiyak?” Sumagot sa mga iyon at nahahawakan ang siya, “Kinuha nila ang aking Panginoon kanyang tagiliran.”Makalipas ang at hindi ko alam kung saan siya isang linggo, muling nagkatipon sa inilagay.”Pagkasabi nito’y napalingon loob ng bahay ang mga alagad at siya at nakita niya si Jesus na nakatayo kasama nila si Tomas. Nakasara ang roon, ngunit hindi niya nakilalang si mga pinto, ngunit pumasok si Jesus at Jesus iyon. Tinanong siya ni Jesus, tumayo sa kalagitnaan nila. Sinabi niya, “Babae, bakit ka umiiyak? Sino ang “Sumainyo ang kapayapaan!” At sinabi hinahanap mo?”Akala ni Maria, ang niya kay Tomas, “Ilagay mo ang iyong kausap niya’y ang hardinero kaya’t daliri dito at tingnan mo ang aking mga

Feb-May 2018

kamay. Ilagay mo ang iyong kamay sa aking tagiliran. Huwag ka nang magalinlangan pa, sa halip ay maniwala ka.” Sumagot si Tomas, “Panginoon ko at Diyos ko!”Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, “Naniniwala ka na ba dahil nakita mo ako? Pinagpala silang hindi nakakita gayunma’y naniniwala” (Juan 20:25b29). Kaibigan, kung nagdududa ka, hindi mo kailangan makita si Jesus upang makatanggap ng insurance policy. Sumampalataya ka na nabuhay mag-uli si Jesus upang magkaroon ng insurance policy sa langit. Si mommy Elsa. Naseguro ni mommy Elsa na tumanggap rin siya ng insurance policy sa langit bago bawian ng buhay. Ito ay hindi dahil ulirang ina siya, mabait, mapagmahal. Alam ni mommy hindi iyon ang nagbayad ng insurance policy niya sa langit. Aminado siya na makasalanan pa rin siya gaya mo at gaya ko (Roma 3:23). Inamin niya na ang ginawa ni Jesus sa krus ang nagbigay ng kaseguruhan niya sa langit. Ang sakripisyo ni Jesus ang nagbayad ng kanyang kasalanan. Nanalig si mommy Elsa kay Jesus. Walang naglakad na kumpadre at kumadre para makakuha siya ng insurance. Diretso siyang nanalig sa ahente ng Diyos, ang sariling Bugtong na Anak-Jesu Cristo. I k a w, p u e d e r i n t u m a n g a p n g insurance policy sa langit. Sinabi ni Jesus, “Ako ang muling pagkabuhay at ang buhay. Ang sinumang sumasampalataya sa akin, kahit mamatay ay muling mabubuhay; at sinumang nabubuhay at sumasampalataya sa akin ay hindi mamamatay kailanman. Naniniwala ka ba sa sinabi ko?”( Juan 11:25-26). Mga buhay lamang ang puedeng manalig.

Ang patay ay hindi na puedeng mag desisyon. Samakatuwid, ang sino mang buhay pa na mananalig kay Jesus, mamatay man ay sineseguro ni Jesus na muling bubuhayin. Kaya,ano man ang iyong background, masama man ang pagkatao mo, relihiyoso, presidente, homeless, janitor, executive, contract worker, mahirap, hiwalay sa asawa, teenager, inaalihan ng demonyo, pusakal na magnanakaw, sugapa sa bawal na gamot, puede kang makakuha ng insurance policy. Kailangan lamang pa-register ka ngayon. Walang bayad ito, walang lagay na kailangan, walang kumadre at kumpadre na kailangan. Paano ang gagawin? Magpakumbaba ka lamang sa harapan ng Diyos, humingi ng tawad, at mataimtim na manalig kay Jesus Cristo. Bayad na ni Jesus ang pagkaka-utang mo at buhay niya ang ibinayad. Manalig ka ngayon din bago pa mahuli ang lahat. Gaya ng sinabi, buhay lamang ang puedeng magpa-register. Hndi na puede kung patay ka na. Hindi mo alam kung kailan ka mamamatay. Manalangin ka ng ganito, “O Diyos sa langit, buong puso akong humihingi ng tawad sa aking kasalanan. Tinatanggap ko ang libreng insurance policy na iyong ipinagkakaloob sa mga nananalig sa iyong Anak na si Jesus (Juan 1:12). Ako ay nananalig sa iyo Jesu Cristo na aking Tagapagligtas at ngayon Panginoon ng aking buhay. Amen.” Kaibigan

If you need prayer or counseling or reading materials, please write to paul@launchpoint.cc

Rev. Paul Ko, Associate Pastor | LaunchPoint Church, www.launchpoint.cc He also served Taipei International Church as Tagalog Fellowship pastor for twenty years.

Kaibigan

ur entrance into the Christian life begins with a heart that believes and lips that confess, “Jesus is Lord” (Rom. 10:9). This process can be visualized as a man in a house. Before coming to Christ, our sins separate us from God like the roof of the house. Our sinful pride keeps us rom sharing who we really are with those around us -like the walls of the house.

Saving faith involves taking the roof off as I admit to God that I am a hopeless sinner, desperately in need of the Savior’s forgiveness. When I believe with my heart, the roof comes off. Then, when I confess with my lips that I am a sinner saved by the grace of God, the walls come down. My testimony to others reveals the reality of what I believe in my heart. What is true of saving faith is also true of growing faith. If you are serious about

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disarming your time bomb, you must be willing to take your “roof off and walls down.” You begin by admitting your sin to God, asking for His forgiveness and cleansing. That is “roof off.” But that is not enough. If you are serious about victory over sin, you must be willing to take your “walls down.” James puts it this way, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (Jas. 5:16). Pray right now for God to lead you to a trustworthy, “shockproof friend” with whom you can share your heart. God gives grace to the humble-to those who are willing to live with their “roof off and walls down.” Those who humble themselves by confessing their sin to a fellow believer will find strong help from the hand of God. Are you willing to take this step of obedience in your walk with God? Don’t allow your spiritual pride to deceive you into thinking that just confessing your sin to God is enough. Do you remember how God dealt with the sin of Ananias and Sapphira? What was their sin? They pretended to be more spiritual than they really were. Their “little secret” was a time bomb that literally killed them (Acts 5:1-11)

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4) God specializes in “hopeless cases.” No matter what you are struggling with, God has provided a way of escape. There is strong victory over the enemy of our souls.

It will be of great benefit to always have your own Company for your own spiritual growth and maintaining victory over sin. No one is so spiritual that they do not need to be accountable to someone else. A paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 10: 12 says, “Don’t be so naive and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-conf idence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence” (The Message). For additional help in gaining freedom from the power of sin in your life, it is strongly recommended that you read The Bondage Breaker by Neil Anderson. Our enemy is strong. But our Savior is a million times more mighty! This is the Word of God to us: “’Come now, let us reason together; says the LoRD. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool:” (Isaiah 1:18) “But if we walk in the light [roof off and walls down}, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood ofJesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)

How to Stay Strong in Spirit in Satan’s Territory 1. Read at least a chapter in the Bible daily. Use a bookmark so you will know where to read the next day. You may want to try the OT/NT Reading Plan. When you begin, read Genesis chapter 1 and Matthew chapter l. Then put bookmarks in both places. Everyday read a chapter in the Old Testament and a chapter in the New Testament. This way you will eventually read through the whole Bible. 2. Pray daily. Make time to talk with God. And be sure to listen to what God wants to say to you! Don’t stop praying when your prayer time ends. Talk to the Lord often during the day. Remember, He is with you all day long! 3. Memorize and meditate on Scripture. Write your memory verse on a card and carry it with you so you can review it during the day. Joshua 1:8 is a good verse to begin with! 4. Sing songs of worship to the Lord throughout the day. Even in prison, Paul and Silas sang! Remember, the joy of the Lord is your strength (Neh. 8:10). And you can live in joy if you are walking by faith, claiming that “God is here and God is good!” Kaibigan

5. Fellowship with other believers - even if it is only a Company 3. Jesus will meet with you and give you strong encouragement as you share His word and pray for each other and for the lost. One of Satan’s oldest strategies is to attack those who don’t keep up with the group (Deut. 25:17-18). God’s solution: “Let us not give up meeting together ... but let us encourage one anotherand all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb. 10:25). Review/ Discussion:

Remember, delayed obedience is disobedience. And disobedience causes a hardening of the heart. See Hebrews 3: 12-15.

Feb-May 2018

Submission to Authority Do you have difficulty following a supervisor or manager because you feel you are a better leader or have b e t t e r i d e a s? D o you criticize people who are in authority over you-especially when they are not as qualified as you? In family, government, church and business, we must trust God’s wisdom in who He places in authorit y over us. Failure to do so is essentially rebellion against God. T hi s i s a common problem. Is God saying something to you about this issue? What step of obedience will you take?

3.Meet with one other person that you believe will be trustworthy and “shock-proof.” Confess your sin to that person and ask him/her to pray for you as you obey what you believe the Lord wants you to do about it. Kaibigan

___________________________ by Robert Claro, from his book, A Higher Purpose for Your Overseas Job (2003)

pangkalusugan Why You Need to Eat Eggs Instant Mood Boost Eggs contain a beneficial blend of omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, B vitamins, and iodide—nutrients that work together to battle fatigue and reverse bad moods. Nourish Your Muscular System Eggs are one of nature’s best food sources, packaging muscle-protecting protein in a low-calorie food. The B12 in eggs also aids in muscle contraction—a must for avid gardeners!

helps your brain store and recall information better. Eggs from hens raised outside on grass pastures also contain more omega-3 fatty acids that help power your brain.

Guard Against Cancer Women who eat higher levels of choline—a nutrient found in eggs—are 24 percent less Save Your Sight likely to develop breast cancer according to Eggs are a rich source of lutein and a recent study. One large egg boasts about zeaxanthin—antioxidants that help stave off 30 percent of your Recommended Dietary macular degeneration and cataracts—just be Allowance of choline. sure to eat the yolks!

Feed Your Brain Slim Down The choline in eggs helps keep your Here’s a delicious way to lose weight! memory sharp while increasing the release Researchers from Louisiana State University of acetylcholine—a neurotransmitter that found that when obese people choose an egg breakfast over bagels at least five times a week, they lost 65 percent more weight. And Saint Louis University scientists discovered that eating eggs in the morning led to eating fewer calories throughout the rest of the day, too. Kaibigan

Kaibigan

faithwalk Analisa Chua

Who You Say I Am?

he smiled at me and talked to me happily. I looked at her and her cute small morkie (crossbreed of Yorkshire Terrier and Maltese) dog. We talked about our favorite topic and that was about our dogs. I showed her photos of my two cute furbabies and she laughed that my two dogs were wearing cute dresses and ribbons. She was enjoying talking to me when she asked me where I came from. This lady and I met at San Zhi San Sheng Trail of Tamsui as me and my friend went there last March 31 for trekking and to see the Sakura (Cherry Blossom). My friend and I enjoying our drinks when we encountered this lady with her small dog at the coffee shop. When I started to greet her dog––she smiled and started to talk with us. And then the “question” came. I smiled and told her, “I came all the way from Taipei City.” She asked me again why I can speak English, “What are you?” My answer was, “My father is Chinese, and my mother is a Filipina.” And then she turned her look away and stopped talking in an instant after hearing my answer––she did not talk to me again. I was surprised a bit but remembering encounters like this before that each time people would fondly talk to me and would ask me “What I am,” if I was a Korean or a Japanese––they would stop talking to me each time they would know “Who I am.”

that Jews never associate themselves with Samaritans. But still Jesus talked to this woman and even asked for a drink of water (John 4:1-42) With these thoughts in mind, I sang a song (Who You Say I Am) to myself: Who am I that the highest King Would welcome me I was lost but He brought me in Oh His love for me Who the Son sets free Oh is free indeed I’m a child of God Yes I am Free at last, He has ransomed me His grace runs deep While I was a slave to sin Jesus died for me Yes He died for me In my Father’s house There’s a place for me I’m a child of God Yes I am I am chosen, not forsaken I am who You say I am You are for me, not against me I am who You say I am

I remember the story of Jesus talking to a I still will tell what I am undauntedly if Samaritan woman at the well and his disciples anyone would ask me. I will not fear of what were surprised to see him with her––knowing other people will think of me or judge me of

Feb-May 2018

identity deserves better. What matters most is not what your past; your gender; your racial or cultural background; or your marital or employment status says about who you are. What matters is WHO GOD SAYS YOU ARE! You are loved. You are chosen. You are I am a child of God––we are all children made in the image of God. of God because of our Lord Jesus Christ. And this is the truth and if anyone will ask Prayer: you again––what are you––who you say you My Lord, I will be forever grateful of your grace are––tell them that you are a child of God. for me, that is my Lord Jesus Christ. “So in Christ Jesus you are all children Through Him, I became Your child. of God through faith,” Galatians 3:26. Thank You, in Jesus Name. Amen. There are many things in this life that Kaibigan will try to tell you WHO YOU ARE–– your what I am. Our negative emotions and the words of the enemy can attack our self-images with lies. Sometimes listening to songs like this remind us of the biblical truth that will free us from disapproval and anxiety.

Kaibigan

vietnamese corner

Kaibigan

Feb-May 2018

thai corner

Kaibigan

bible word search

Ann Cielo Ko

Search and put a loop around on each of your answers in the letter box. Words can be found spelled horizontally, vertically, diagonally, forward, or backward. Joshua 1:6-8 Meditating on God’s Word (NIV) Be strong and [co_rageous], because you will lead these people to [inh_rit] the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. “Be [str_ng] and very courageous. Be [car_ful] to [ob_y] all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be [succ_ ssful] wherever you go. [Ke_p] this Book of the [L_w] always on your lips; [medit_te] on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be [pr_sperous] and successful.

1 John 2:3-6, 9-11 (NIV) Love and Hatred 3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a [li_r], and the [tr_th] is not in that person. 5 But if anyone [ob_ys] his word, love for God[a] is truly made [c_mplete] in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to [l_ve] in him must live as Jesus did. 9 Anyone who claims to be in the [l_ght] but hates a brother or sister[b] is still in the [d_rkness]. 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them [st_mble]. 11 But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and [w_lks] around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because *Due to printing error of nov-dec-jan 2018 wordbox, we are reposting it in this the darkness has [bl_nded] them. issue. Answers will be posted on next issue.

Feb-May 2018