Willie Matan Marino

The sting of death is sin....But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our LORD Jesus Christ.
*Ang kamandag ng kamatayan ay ang kasalanan... Magpasalamat tayo sa Dios, sapagkat binibigyan Niya tayo ng tagumpay sa pamamagitan ng ating Panginoong Jesus
(1 Corinthians 15:56-57)

Theologian Augustine wrote his classic "The City of God", in the midst of tragedy, his reflections, now nearly 16 centuries old, are still fresh today.
Augustine wrote,
"The end of life puts the longest life on a par with the shortest....Death becomes evil only by the retribution which follows it. We, then, who are destined to die need not inquire about what death we are to die, but into what place death will usher us."
For those who trust Jesus Christ, death is not a sheriff dragging us off to court, but a servant ushering us into the presence of a loving LORD. The apostle Paul understood this.
He looked at life and death from Christ's perspective. Since he knew where death would take him, he could boldly declare, "Death is swallowed up in victory" (1Cor. 15:54).
Every Christian can have the same courage. Because of Christ's death and resurrection, we who place our faith in Him can look at death not as a period but a comma that precedes a glorious eternity with our LORD.
Death is not a period--- it's only a comma.
Conquering, triumphant good Friday!
💞☝🏼💞

Phoebe our sister...has been a helper of many and of myself also.

*Ipinakikilala ko sa inyo ang kapatid nating si Febe...tulungan ninyo siya sa anumang pangangailangan niya dahil marami siyang natulungan at isa na ako roon.
(Romans 16:1-2)

Women have often gone unrecognized for their achievements and contributions. And sadly, it's also true in the church. But in Romans 16, we have an example of the importance of honoring women who serve faithfully.
Paul praised Phoebe as "a helper of many and of myself also". He commended Priscilla and her husband Aquila, who risked their lives for Paul's sake (vv. 3-4). Tryphena, and Persis "labored in the LORD" (v.12).
Paul mentioned at least eigth women for whom he had great appreciation.
Women of faith deserve honor for their service to God and others. Think of the women who are serving faithfully in our church. Why not give one of them a word of thanks and praise today, as we end celebrating the "Women's month"?
God never fails to give credit where credit is due.
Blessed to be a blessing Tuesday!
💞💞💞

Whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave.

*At kung sinuman ang sa inyo ang nagnanais na mauna, siya ay dapat maging alipin nyo.
(Matthew 20:27)

"The great leader is seen as a servant first, and that simple fact is the key to his greatness."
Two thousand years ago, Jesus taught that truth to His disciples and lived it out. As the Son of God, He has been given "all authority...in heaven and on earth" ( Matt.28:18). Yet He did not force people to follow and obey Him. His leadership model was radically different from what we see in today's world. It was one of humility and unselfish service to others.
Christlike leadership means considering the needs of our neighbors before our own, seeking their good, encouraging their spiritual growth and intimacy with God. It means treating others the way God treated us. Servant leaders employ gentle persuasion and reason rather than barking orders and ultimatums. They don't dictate or demand but recognize that before God they themselves are but servants who are only doing their duty (Luke 17:10).
Whatever our position of leadership, we will never lose if we lose ourselves for others. Service that cares for others is the basis of true greatness.
Only the one who has learned to serve is qualified to lead.
Humbly, down-to-earth Maundy Monday!💞💜💞

I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
*Hindi Ko kayo iiwang mga ulila; babalik Ako sa inyo.
(John 14:18)

As Jesus was preparing to leave His disciples, He promised to return. He said, "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I Am, there you may be also" (14:3). After enduring the horrors of the cross, Jesus rose from the dead to provide eternal life to all who believe in Him as their Savior. He indwells us today by the Holy Spirit, but one day He will return and gather us into His presence (1Thess 4:15-18). Jesus is true to His word.
If we are His, He will come back for us!
Christ's second coming is as certain as His first.
Maranatha! Assured Tuesday!
💞☝🏼💞

You do not know what will happen tomorrow.

*Ni hindi ninyo nga alam kung ano ang mangyayari sa inyo sa araw ng bukas.
(James 4:14)

Not a day passes without a reminder that our earthly life can end at any moment. All we need to is read the orbituary column. One message comes through loud and clear: We're here today, but we may be gone tomorrow! "What is your life?
It is even a v***r that appears for a little time and then vanished away" (James 4:14).
Is our only certainty, then, the sobering prospect that at any moment we may be thrust into eternity? No! Christ is the anchor of the soul.
He paid the penalty for our sins on the cross. If we admit our guilt before God, we will receive forgiveness and eternal life by trusting Him. He has promised to remain with us, even in the hour of death.
Does our earthly life seem futile because "nothing is ever sure"? Then trust Christ! He provides a joyuous certainty about eternity that can be ours right now.
It's never too soon to accept Christ, but at any moment it could be too late.
No time to lose Wednesday!💞💔💞

Celebrate the Noise: Ang Mga Bata sa Loob ng Simbahan

Minsan sa church, may umiiyak na baby. May batang tumatakbo. May sumisigaw sa gitna ng sermon. Nakaka-distract—oo. Nakakapagod—totoo.

Pero baka mali ang tinitingnan natin.

Ang ingay ng mga bata sa simbahan ay hindi abala; patunay ito na may buhay ang iglesia.

Kapag may bata sa church, may next in line na mananampalataya. Hindi lang sila bisita—sila ang hinaharap.

Baka ang batang iyak ngayon, bukas ay tinig na mangangaral. Baka ang malikot ngayon, siya ang susunod na missionary, pastor, o leader na gagamitin ng Diyos.

Hindi kailanman ininis ni Jesus ang mga bata.

Sa halip, sinabi Niya:
“Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:14, ESV)

At higit pa roon:
“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.” (Matthew 18:5, ESV)

Kaya sa halip na mainis, magdiwang tayo. Ang ingay ng bata sa church ay tunog ng pag-asa. Ang simbahan na walang bata ay tahimik—pero ang simbahan na may bata ay may kinabukasan.

They departed...,rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.

*Nilisan ng mga Apostol ang Kapulungan at sila'y galak na galak sapagkat minarapat ng Diyos na sila'y magdanas ng kahihiyan alang-alang sa pangalan ni Jesus.
(Acts 5:41)

The LORD never displays His power and grace at an inappropriate time or place, but He always provides according to the difficulty of the hour. He does not impart strength until it is needed.
We shudder when we think of what some of God's children are enduring because of their faithfulness to the Savior. Many have chosen the path of intense suffering rather than following the line of least resistance, would we do the same?
The LORD does not ask us to make such a commitment before it is necessary. And we can be sure that when we "suffer for His sake" (Phil. 1:29), He will provide whatever we need to endure the pain.
As servants of Christ, we can take one step at a time and be confident that whether we come to a dried-up creek or a surging river, the LORD's bridges of grace will be just right to allow us safe passage to the other side.
God gives enough grace for each trial we face.
All sufficient Thursday!
💚💚💚

Christmas party of CCT camarin branch
To God be all the glory