House2HouseMD

  Dear Saints: Yes, almost everyone is tense not knowing the final outcome of the USA election. First, we thank God that there were no bloodshed during the election and that Americans participated as never before. Whether your candidate is winning or losing right now, may we be reminded and assured of one thing, God is still with us and He loves us very much and died for us.  No one else has ever died to save us from our sins and from the wrath of God except Jesus Christ. No Presidential candidate can and/or should ever take the place of Christ in our lives. We should also rest in the assurance of God’s Word:  " All the ends of the world Shall remember and turn to the  Lord , And all the families of the nations Shall worship before You.  28  For the kingdom  is  the  Lord ’s, And He rules over the nations.”  Psalm 22: 27-28. Yes, the Lord rules over the nations including America. God is in perfect control so let us be at peace ...

The Romans Rap As we have come to the end of our study of the book of Romans, I have reflected and tried to put in my own words what I have learned and how God has touched me. I call it “the Romans Rap” (rap up or summary). I could do a musical Rap for you but do not wait for my album or CD debut but listen to the words of my Rap. I know you have a song too from Romans. Grace, Grace, Grace and more Grace to me A sinner from beginning I am You made the call and took the first step You called me and gave me the power to answer Grace, Grace, Grace more Grace to me You ordained before I was born the plan Grace and more Grace to me That you will die for me Cleaned and made me righteous all by yourself Yes I believed, but only by your Grace Grace, Grace and more Grace to me None can separate me from your love Now I live only for you by your Grace Grace and more Grace not just to me alone Your Grace and Mercy you have shown to all Now I rejoice with them and give you Glory We give each...

Beware of Smooth Talk and Flattery There is so much smooth talk and flattery that has characterized the age we live in. The advertisements and commercials whether on TV or paper are all smooth talks and flattery with one intention to make us believe that we have need that we may not even have or even necessary for living. Webster Dictionary has the following for the word `flatter’. “To compliment excessively and often insincerely, especially in order to win the favor of; to court; blandish. 2. To please or gratify; feed the vanity of; 3. To portray favorably; 4. To persuade (one self) that something one wants to believe is the case.” Unfortunately, there is a lot of sweet talks and flattery in the Church of today. Surprisingly, it was also present in Apostle Paul’s time. As he concludes the letter to the Church in Rome, Paul sternly warns us to look out for people (false teachers and preachers) who deceive with such words. Romans 16: 17-18 17-18One final word of counsel, friends. K...

SALUTE THEM NOW One of the highlights of my life and for our family happened on December 27, 2007. On this day, we celebrated my parents-in-laws’ 50th Wedding Anniversary. All of us children and grand children had a chance to write tributes to them and say thank you. Many well wishers also came to say thank you to them for the many lives they have touched. Apostle Paul also had a chance to write and pay tribute and salute many who had helped him and meant so much to him. Romans 16 is the salutation and tribute chapter and I encourage you to read the whole chapter. Let’s look at a few verses. Romans 16: 1-5, 10-13 1I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant[a] of the church in Cenchrea. 2I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me. 3Greet Priscilla[b] and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. 4They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all t...

Real Christians do not Dance Disco Someone will say, show me where in the Bible it says Christians should not dance to disco music. It is found in the book of 1 Liberty 1:1. In the same book, you will also see where it says Christians cannot drink wine or beer or any alcohol and that all Christians must be vegetarians like me. By now you must have concluded that I am going off of my mind. You are right. On each of these issues, I know that you already have a position. In Romans 14, Apostle Paul calls these “Disputable Matters”. Another word for this is “Christian Liberty”. These are the gray areas where we all have some level of discretion to act. Let’s read what Apostle Paul says in Romans on these issues. Romans 14 13Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. 14As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food[b] is unclean in itself. But if anyone reg...

God’s Ministers It is election time in the USA and we are bombarded with campaign commercials; all kinds of promises if elected and of course the amusing ways the candidates go at each other to attack and make the other look bad. Not withstanding all the wrangling, we thank God for a democracy where people can vote and eventually leaders at various levels are selected. At present, it looks like Obama, Clinton or McCain could be the next president of the United States. Have you thought of any of them or other elected or non-elected leaders as God’s Ministers or servants? Let’s see what God’s Word calls leaders and rulers. Romans 13:1, 4-6 1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 4For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to b...

Living Sacrifice Webster defines sacrifice as, (a), “The act of offering something to a deity in propitiation or homage; especially the ritual of slaughter of an animal or person for this purpose; (b),The forfeiture of something highly valued, as an idea, object, or friendship, for the sake of someone or something considered to have a greater value or claim”. In the Old Testament, we observe many instances of actual sacrifice where people brought animals or birds to the temple for sacrifice. The New Testament clearly teaches that Christ became our sacrifice atoning for our sins once and forever. So what is Apostle Paul urging us to do in Romans in relation to sacrifice? Keep in mind that Romans 1-11 has been almost totally focused on showing us how God elected us for the purpose of showing us His mercy. Romans 12: 1-2 1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship...

God, Go Figure! Some things are very easy to understand and prove. An example is the law of gravity. If you throw anything or object up, it will surely come down. Why? The object comes down because there is nothing supporting it, so the earth’s gravity pulls it down. There are things that have been used to counter the law of gravity otherwise the air planes would not fly. Let’s leave that explanation to the physicists. When it comes to full and total understanding and comprehension of God and His ways, there is no explanation. Apostle Paul in Romans reached this conclusion after wrestling with the issue of God’s election through grace for the purpose of showing His mercy. Romans 11: 28 - 36 28As far as the gospel is concerned, they (the Jews) are enemies on your account; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, 29for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable. 30Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as...

What Are You Hearing? Faith comes by hearing the word of God. You would think the bible would have said, “faith comes from our previous experience of a miracle”. Both “saving faith” and faith for our daily living come from the word of God. There is no other means of faith except through the word of God. It is also a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9). Who are you hearing and have they been sent to you by God? Romans 10: 12-17 12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."[f] 14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"[g] 16But not all the Israelites accepted ...

Is God unfair and unjust? As we celebrate this week the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. we are reminded of the issue of fairness, equality and justice. We have experienced, seen or heard of many instances of unfairness and lack of justice to individuals or groups of people in our society and in various parts of the world. Is God fair and just in his dealings with people? The fact that such question can be raised is evidence that we have an idea of what fairness and justice is. Where did we get our ideas of fairness and justice and if from God, would the one who established the standard for justice be unjust in his dealings with humans? What about God’s decision to choose/elect some and not all for salvation? Is that fair? Let’s read Romans 9. Romans 9: 6-24 6It is not as though God's word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. 7Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children. On the contrary, "It is through Isaac tha...

Elected and Cannot Be Eliminated One of the most favorite chapters of the bible among Christ believers is Romans 8. In this chapter, Apostle Paul unloads his gun and shatters all arguments under heaven and earth against God and His people. This chapter also contains what I call the essential vitamins for the Christian life. It contains all the essential vitamins, A, B C, (the sweet ones) and then some bitter ones like iron, zinc, T, D, P, F, N, P2, S (Tribulation, Distress, Persecution, Famine, Nakedness ,Peril and sword). God uses all to conform His “Elect” to the likeness or image of Christ. Let’s look at some of these passages. Romans 8. 1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus 18I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that w...

What Do You Call God? I have heard many a times where people refer to God as the “man upstairs”. Some people just call Him God and never refer to Him by any other name. What do you call Him? Let’s read Romans 8. Romans 8: 10-17 10But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. 12Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.[g] And by him we cry, "Abba,[h] F...

Please God in 2008 What is your goal for this New Year 2008? My aim and goal is to please God in 2008 and not be a people please r. In other words, my purpose for this year is to bring pleasure to God my Lord. I am determined to make this my one and only purpose for 2008. How about you? The question then is how will I please God in 2008? Asked differently, how will I not please God in 2008? Let’s read in Romans 8. Romans 8:5-11 5Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6The mind of sinful man[e] is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7the sinful mind[f] is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. 9You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyon...

WHAT A WRETCHED MAN I AM! The struggle of life is not fought within a crowd in the board rooms, at work places, at schools or in any other public place. The real battle for life is fought alone and in our hearts and minds. Have you struggled with the reality of sin as apostle Paul describes in Romans? His awareness of himself and the powerful struggle to do what is right makes him refer to himself “a wretched man”. I do not know about you but I also consider myself “a wretched man”. Have you thought of your self as “a wretched man or woman”? Let’s read Romans. Romans 7: 14-25 14We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the de...

Thank You Lord Are you looking for a reason to give thanks to the Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth this Thanksgiving Day? Do not look any further. You and I have so much to be thankful for. We have eternal life guaranteed by Jesus. Read with me in Romans. Romans 5:12, 18-21 12Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned. ---- 18Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. 19For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. 20The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through ...

Rejoice The word of God, in many instances commands us to rejoice. In some instances, it is obvious and very easy for us to understand why we should rejoice. In some other instances, it is difficult to understand and practice being joyful. Let’s look at our today’s text in Romans. Romans 5: 1-11 1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a]have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we[c] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. and hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. you see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man so...

My eyes were opened for the first time in understanding Abraham and Sarah’s exercise of their faith to have a child, Isaac. Romans 4: 2 says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness”. I have asked how that could be until I read to the end of chapter 4. I could now relate their faith and action to how we ourselves are accounted as righteous through believing in Christ. Romans 4:16-25 16Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations."[ c ] He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. 18Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "...

"I am not as bad as they are" Someone said that we judge others based on their actions and judge ourselves based on our intentions. I believe there is truth to that statement because I have done the same many times. We are prone to think we are better than the other person. We often and quickly forgot we are all cut from the same raw material. Read the following passage from Romans and make a note of whom you think it is referring to. Romans 1: 18-32 18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. 21For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their...

I am not sure if you are like me. I have noticed that I have not kept all the promises that I have made. I have lied in some circumstances just to get out of a bind. Is lying and not keeping promises a lifestyle for me? The answer is no. However, even one act of lying or not keeping a promise makes me guilty of the sin of unfaithfulness according to God’s standard. Compared to our Father in heaven, He has kept all His promises to me and has never lied to me. I thank God that He has been faithful to me even when I have not. Romans 3:1-8 1 Then what’s the advantage of being a Jew? Is there any value in the ceremony of circumcision? 2 Yes, there are great benefits! First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the whole revelation of God.[ a ] 3 True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they were unfaithful, does that mean God will be unfaithful? 4 Of course not! Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true. As the Scriptures say about him, “You will be proved right in wh...

Real Change of Heart I looked up the word “Change” in the dictionary and noted among other meanings, the following: “1. To cause to be different; alter. 2. To give a completely different form or appearance to; transform, 3. To lay aside, abandon, or leave for another; switch.” In order to alter, transform or switch anything, which means change its original state; there must be an external force outside of that which is being changed. Nothing has ever and will ever change by itself without outside pressure or influence and that includes human beings too. Real change is at the transformational level, meaning there must be a change in the nature, function or condition of a thing or a person. For a tree to become paper that we write on, it undergoes a series of transformation. A tree by itself cannot just turn into paper. Are you looking for real change in your life or the life of a loved one or even an adversary? How is it going to happen or what will cause the change to take place? P...