Before I write about Yahweh Maccaddeschcem, I wanna (hahah) talk about my accomplishments of the day :)
today I am accomplished. I managed to be cool and make a fool of myself (yay!). So what did I accomplish today?
- I got a run during my softball game!! ahhhh, I feel so accomplished cause I never go past second base. NEVER. and I got to third and that was super exciting!! and running all the way to home is even better!! hahaha all thanks to God giving me the ability to do so!
- here's my embarrassing moment (i'm gonna be teased nonstop by my softball team from now on -.-); I play right rover, and the hitter pop-flied the ball and it came towards me...and I CAUGHT IT!!! AHHHH, so close in slipping out, but it was right in my pocket and I was just surprised at the fact I caught it. So, I squealed (yes, i squeal) and jumped up and down (you don't normally see that, I have no clue how I possessed to be so girly at that moment) and I forgot that the game was still going and the other team got a run cause I didn't throw the ball to second base to throw to home ><. now THAT is embarrassing. Everyone was laughing at me too -.- sigh. but hey, caught a ball! and again, all thanks to God!!! :)
- got to see mr. allan wong! and he witnessed my first run and my embarrassing moment of catching the ball. but nevertheless, I got to see him and it was nice of him to support his team - the agapos!! and slightly us TOFUS. hahah!
- I fired a bottle cap - that's right, I can do it now!!! I finally got the strength to fire the bottle cap and I FELT ACCOMPLISHED. whaaaadup. :)
p.s. God gave me that strength!! :P - I got to listen to Tony Costa preach!! I will write about that shortly below.
- got to skype with milton!! :) (finally, kidding)
- ate cherries at 11:30pm!! :) yummmmy cherries :)
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Now, on a more serious note (I like being funny first), the sermon Rev Tony Costa shared with the English congregation today:
"Yahweh Maccaddeshcem" -
Yahweh the Sanctifier
Yahweh the Sanctifier
The message was built upon Leviticus 20:7-8, (NIV)
So why does God call us to be holy? or rather, in this case, why does he call the Israelites to be holy? Because God IS HOLY.
what is holiness? it is setting something apart for the service of God. For example, the temples used to worship God, priests that are for the service of God, those are some things that are separated for God's use and hence, it is holy.
And how do you become holy? the basis of holiness are the decrees God sets, the commandments that He sets and told Moses to write them down on stone tablets. hundreds and hundreds of them (over 600, I forgot the exact number). And the book of Leviticus deals with how people (the Israelites) reconcile to a Holy God and it is the book where God lays down the principles of how people meet with Him (like burning the fats and kidneys of clean animals, never eating unclean animals, never to drink blood and eat fat of an animal, and so on)
So why did God tell the Israelites and us to be Holy? This is so the Redeemer, Jesus Christ is born holy (if the Israelites at the time were consecrated and holy then generation after generation, the people too are "holy") And actually, in this specific chapter, you see the quote "Be holy, because I am holy" five times, emphasizing that God wants to separate His chosen people from others.
And the question is: ARE WE SEPARATED? Do people see us (Christians) and are able to tell that we are different?
Tony Costa talks about how today, there is an absence in holiness in churches. Do we come in utter awe awaiting to see God and worship Him? or is it more of a social thing? He challenged my congregation with that thought. He also said, and I agree, that he finds that people have more respect in court of LAW than in churches. Why is that? why is that?
God called us to be holy, and as His people, we are to reflect the Holiness.
John 17:17 (NIV);
"Sanctify them (disciples, in our case, us) by the truth; your word is truth"
1 Corinthians 1:30 (ESV);
"And because of him (Jesus), you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God , righteousness and sanctification and redemption.."
conclusion?
it's not you that make yourself holy, it is the LORD that makes you holy.
our destiny is to be separated, to be holy, just as God is holy
and without Him, you're lost, so submit your hearts to Him, for He is Yahweh Maccaddeshcem.
- Tony Costa (thaaaank you!)
"Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the LORD your GOD. Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the LORD, who makes you holy [1]."footnotes: [1] Or who sanctifies you; or who sets you apart as holy
So why does God call us to be holy? or rather, in this case, why does he call the Israelites to be holy? Because God IS HOLY.
what is holiness? it is setting something apart for the service of God. For example, the temples used to worship God, priests that are for the service of God, those are some things that are separated for God's use and hence, it is holy.
And how do you become holy? the basis of holiness are the decrees God sets, the commandments that He sets and told Moses to write them down on stone tablets. hundreds and hundreds of them (over 600, I forgot the exact number). And the book of Leviticus deals with how people (the Israelites) reconcile to a Holy God and it is the book where God lays down the principles of how people meet with Him (like burning the fats and kidneys of clean animals, never eating unclean animals, never to drink blood and eat fat of an animal, and so on)
So why did God tell the Israelites and us to be Holy? This is so the Redeemer, Jesus Christ is born holy (if the Israelites at the time were consecrated and holy then generation after generation, the people too are "holy") And actually, in this specific chapter, you see the quote "Be holy, because I am holy" five times, emphasizing that God wants to separate His chosen people from others.
And the question is: ARE WE SEPARATED? Do people see us (Christians) and are able to tell that we are different?
Tony Costa talks about how today, there is an absence in holiness in churches. Do we come in utter awe awaiting to see God and worship Him? or is it more of a social thing? He challenged my congregation with that thought. He also said, and I agree, that he finds that people have more respect in court of LAW than in churches. Why is that? why is that?
God called us to be holy, and as His people, we are to reflect the Holiness.
John 17:17 (NIV);
"Sanctify them (disciples, in our case, us) by the truth; your word is truth"
1 Corinthians 1:30 (ESV);
"And because of him (Jesus), you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God , righteousness and sanctification and redemption.."
conclusion?
it's not you that make yourself holy, it is the LORD that makes you holy.
our destiny is to be separated, to be holy, just as God is holy
and without Him, you're lost, so submit your hearts to Him, for He is Yahweh Maccaddeshcem.
- Tony Costa (thaaaank you!)
and we ended off with this
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