“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope...” –Romans 15:4

The daily exercise and discipline of abiding in the Word of God is easily dismissed by those who need it most. “Sa pagwawalang-bahala na ‘alam ko na iyan eh, yung Salita ng Diyos,’ ay hindi namamalayan na nalilihis na pala...” reminded our elder Raul de Asis Hipe, during the Q&A Bible Study on the Sabbath of May 29, 2010. “Sa pagkakagulo sa paligid, kawalan ng pag-asa, pagkagutom, the more we need to dig into the Word of God.”
 
Bible study interaction usually starts with timid, but minutes into the study find children, youth, grownups, and elders engaged in studying Scripture, discussing available commentaries and exchanging commonly-held explanations. But at the end, still find Scripture giving the answer in its own context.

When the Bible is open before our eyes, and we attend to it, not just assume its contents, we come to be “like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus.”¹ know what it’s like to “with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”²

CLICK ON ANY OF THE LINKS BELOW to listen to or download excerpts from the Interactive Q&A Bible Study on the Sabbath of May 29, 2010...

• Mark 9:49, “For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt...” What does it mean to be seasoned with fire?

• How does it connect to the need for every sacrifice to be seasoned with salt?

• Is it wrong to question GOD?

• Paano nangyayari sa Bible na ang isang good king ay nagkakaroon ng anak na bad king? At ang bad king nagkakaroon ng anak na good king? (In the Bible, how does a good king come to have a son who becomes a bad king? How does a bad king come to have a son who turns out to be a good king?)

• I Corinthians 15:29 What was the point of apostle Paul mentioning those who “baptized for the dead”?

• “God helps those who help themselves” Is it a saying with solid foundation in Scripture? As used by the materially-sufficient to mock believers in need, and conversely used by those who use faith as an excuse for doing nothing? 

• Hebrews 12:16 “...lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.”  “How does one SELL his birthright?” (“And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. – Galatians 4:6-7

• What did Esau seek diligently but find no place for? Repentance or the “blessing?”

• How do we apply the passage in Proverbs 10:12 often used, “...but love covers a multitude of sins,”?(Today often applied to either reveal personal grievances or conceal sins against God?)

• The sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ that truly covers...  

(All Scripture quotes taken from The Holy Bible, NKVJ ©1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc.)

“Crisis of water, food, energy sources, fish kill, pandemics, AIDS antibiotic-resistant diseases... These are among the concerns of our country faces today. What does the Bible advise we must do in the midst of this physical famine? Cite practical ways we can help cushion its effects.”

Click on any of the links below to share, download, or listen to excerpts from the Sabbath Interactive Bible Study, February 27, 2010:

For diseases, cleanliness and hygiene, discipline in quarantine; Scripture reminds us to practice moderation in all things (I Timothy 4); Overeating is a root of many disorders, self-control so as not to be obese; Control negative thinking so it won’t influence our acts... Water shortages require extra care. When water supply is turned off, we leave the house without knowing which faucet valves are on; clean up whenever trash accumulates in canal waterways, such as after heavy rains or winds... –Mrs. Miadely Perona

Umpisahan sa paligid natin and linisin; kaso minsan mahirap kahit maglinis ka, kung nasa isang hanay ka ng mga bahay at ayaw maglinis ng iba, eh madami pa din kalat, hindi nakikinig ang mga tao sa mga panuntunan; Sa mga maysakit, yung James 5:15, kailangan talaga na buhay ang faith –Mrs. Marissa Flores

Sa gitna ng dalawang klaseng famine na nararanasan natin, physical famine at yung famine of hearing God’s word, maipagpapasalamat yung mga provision natin sa buhay, tubig, pananim, kalusugan, pagtaguyod ng pamilya, kaya lalo kailangan yung tamang klase ng knowledge at pananagutan nating gawin bilang sumusunod sa Panginoon sa gitna ng kaguluhan... –Mrs. Edelmia Cardona

Romans 8:35, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? ... For , yet in all these things we are more than conquerors... Confess your sins one to another, and pray for one another that you may be healed... The LORD God is faithful, and keeps covenant for all generations...” Yung pagiging watchful sa paggamit ng tubig, panonood ng tv, pagkuha ng pagkain na hindi nauubos, kailangan ayusin kahit mga bagay na nakasanayan, hindi porke may pera sa kasalukuyan, sige-sige ang paggastos... kaya lang madalas ang tao kahit aaminin na tama yung sinasabi mo, hindi talaga gagawin, kaya kailangan simulan pa din sa sarili... –Maria Regina Buendia

Yung conflict sa pagnanais na maka-profit sa pagbebenta ng fishkill at yung advice ng ibang health officials na pwede itong kainin basta walang harmful effect sa katawan, ay isa lang halimbawa ng greed na nananaig... Sa ating tahanan, makakatulong itaguyod yung parang green revolution, sa maliit na space, nagtanim ako ng camia na matakaw sa tubig, yung stagnant water ang nagiging pandilig. “Depart from iniquity and be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work...” 2Timothy 2:21 –Ms. Cecile Constantino

2 Timothy 3:1. “In the last days men will be lovers of themselves...” Sa ngayon tuwing may nangyayaring calamity, ang ugali ng tao ay pumunta sa supermarket at mag-stock up, nang hindi iniisip yung pangangailangan din ng iba... But the LORD God promises to deliver us from our uncleanness (Ezek. 36:29) and call for the grain and multiply it...” So ang kailangan ay yung willingness and ability natin to do kung ano ang alam natin na tama, kunwari kung may kaunting land, matutong magtanim, para kung sakaling dumating ang tag-gutom makakapag-share pa tayo, at lalo na pagdating ng famine of hearing the word of God –Gina Constantino

Huwag na lang magreklamo, yung complain ng complain, parang yung mga Israelites... Mag-ask na lang sila ng prayer, para matulungan sila kung walang tubig o walang pagkain... – Ralph Ian David Hipe

In 2Chronicles 6:26-31, a good example from King Solomon, when he prayed at the dedication of the temple: “When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against You, when they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and turn from their sin because you afflict them, then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your servants...” Pati mga foreigners, kasama. The LORD God then replied (ch.7) “I have heard your prayer... If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves... turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land...” Dati, nung araw-araw ako nasa office, hindi ko gano napapansin yung paggamit ng kuryente, at iba pa mga utilities, ngayon mas madalas na ako nasa bahay, nababantayan ko na yun, pati yung paghahati ng mga gawain sa pamilya, paggising ng maaga para makapag-ipon ng tubig... –Mrs. Vivian Hipe

May natanggap ako na email that says in effect, “Don’t spend all your time at work, go home early, use your time on the things that matter...” What is happening today is just the beginning of sorrows. When it says “Watch, for you do not know the hour the Son of Man is coming,” sakop din nun ang pagiging handa. Maiiwasan yung pagiging gulat kapag nangyari. Genesis 41, the example of Joseph, shows attentiveness to preparation... Practical na reminder ay kung wala pang pambili, mas mabuti mag-ipon kaysa mag-avail ng bank financing. Yung ating bansa, similar din sa experience ng Israel na nag-suffer ng result of disobedience. Nag-disperse na sa buong mundo, imbes na maging self-sufficient, “the alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher, and you shall sink lower and lower...” Hindi naman yun ang gusto ng Panginoon... –Mr. Juan Gabriel Cardona

Maari po mag-imbak ng pagkain sa bahay, pero yung tama lang. Pag naubos na yun, saka na lang bumili ulit. Kapag mag-isa ka lang sa bahay dapat ang isasalang mo ay yung mauubos mo lang para walang matapon o masayang... –Alejan Earl Miguel

Our body is a temple of God’s spirit, so kailangan alagaan. Pag sobra hindi maganda, pag kulang hindi din tama. Yung halimbawa ni Hezekiah na nakiusap sa Panginoon, na-extend yung life nya pero may pananagutan na tandaan kung saan at kanino galing ang lahat. When we pray, parang nagme-melt yung heart ng GOD pagdating sa prayer. Kung nakatuon tayo sa panalangin, makakagawa tayo ng maayos. Proverbs 4:10 “... Take hold of instruction and do not let go... Do not let them depart from your heart. They are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh...” –Michael Dominic Flores

(to be continued...)

The first few minutes everyone keeps their eyes averted from the elders, wondering how to ask from a head full of questions. But once gathered to study God’s Word, even the simplest question leads to unexpected self-checking, “Oo nga naman...” provoking to good works... and still another question. An hour later, nearly everyone is asking and being answered directly from God’s Word... Click on any link below to listen to or download mp3 excerpts from the Sabbath Q&A Bible Study of January 30, 2010...

As the heavenly bodies are made for signs & seasons and galaxies & constellations named in Scripture show a rich knowledge of celestial movements as in astronomy, how much of astrology is 'true' and how much of it is 'crap'?

What is the purpose of the time of the new moon? How was it determined? What about the “new moons...” became so abhorrent to the LORD God?

How should Colossians 2:16 be read and understood? How does the twisting and contradiction happen when using the phrase “let no one judge you... regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths”?

Still on the same chapter, people often throw the passage “shadow of things to come...and the substance is of Christ” as a reason to ask “Why do you still have to keep the Biblical festivals when all of it points to Christ anyway...?”

How did people come to make an idol out of the celebration itself, adding their own pleasures and innovations and fading out the true meaning and intent of the LORD’s Feasts?

What does the LORD GOD say about people who observe the holy days and festivals for their own pleasure? Or those who just completely scrap observing them just because of human errors and abuses?

Proverbs 25:26 “A righteous man who falters before the wicked is like a murky spring and a polluted well...”

How can living a double life or having double standards render righteous intentions useless?...

Isaiah 5:12- How can intoxicating drink totally disable us from regarding the works of the LORD, making our music and offerings detestable, families resentful and neglected?...

How does true celebration during the LORD’s Feasts turn dark with pockets of drinking sprees?

In what way does 'the sorrow of the world produce death' when on the surface people seem to cooperate, bond, and empathize in times of sorrow?

 'What is the significance of Jesus the Christ who was WITHOUT SIN, having to be PERFECTED by the thngs He suffered?'

Once we are born into the world, the law of the flesh is at odds with the law of the mind, but the LORD God has given each the spirit of a sound mind to employ...

The journey of being perfected. Perfection meaning completion... The essence of which is embodied in Philippians 2:5, “... Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of GOD... made himself of no reputation... and became obedient to the point of death...”

Proverbs 26:10 What is the fool’s hire and the transgressor’s wages?

The LORD God has made His law applicable to anyone on the earth so that they reap its fruits whether they actually know they are obeying or not...

More hope for a fool than for someone who already knows what is right and still slams it...

“Be Not Afraid” - We had all been looking forward to Gilbert and Ann Deboma and their three sons coming from Botolan, Zambales to visit. But days before their scheduled trip to Manila, all the beloved men in Ann’s family fell ill one after the other, volcanic dust restricting respiration, needing our prayers for their healing. Would they be able to make the journey? Watch how Stephen and Miguel respond at a moment’s notice on the Sabbath...

Interactive Bible Study: Striving for holiness in a world constantly asking “Why?”...

In the middle of a week where well-meaning neighbors, co-workers, relatives had to be gently explained to why our keeping of the the holy days and Feasts of the LORD means we don’t participate in the traditional holidays, we received the ripe inspiration for the Interactive Bible Study on the Sabbath of December 26, 2009, through the family of Raul and Vivian Hipe:

“Ang kabanalan o “holiness” (Be you holy for I am holy..touch not the unclean thng) ay isang patuloy at napapanahong panawagan ng Diyos: 'Come out from among them and be separate' 2 Cor. 6:17 'Come out of her my people' Rev. 18:4. Magbigay ng dalawang halimbawa o pangyayari sa iyong buhay kung saan ninyo nasunod o di nasunod ito sa gitna ng mga balakid at pagsubok na kaakibat nito. Magbanggit ng mga talata sa Biblya na nakakatulong sa pagsunod sa utos na ito ng kabanalan...”

CLICK ON ANY OF THE LINKS BELOW to listen to or download the mp3 files of the responses during this Sabbath Interactive Bible Study:

Effects of giving in to employer’s persuasion to stay overtime at work even just once... Dealing with strong pressures in refusing foreign package tours for managers scheduled during Passover and Unleavened Bread... –Mrs. Vivian Hipe ::

Standing up for doing office and business procedure in a godly way and according to the laws of the land. Being firm in making decisions, realizing that “not being unequally yoked with unbelievers” also applies to not being swayed into the conventional “pwede naman gawin yung ganito, yung ganyan...,” so it requires me to be alert and think of each action before I do it...  –Miss Gina Constantino ::

We think of ‘unclean’ as applied to food and other things in the old testament, pero sa new testament, lalong lumawak ang application- “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification that it may impart grace to the hearers...” What troubles me most is my temper, only to regret it later. Kaya para malinisan ang mga lumalabas sa bibig, kailangan malinisan yung kalooban para hindi “out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing..”

Sa mga pagkakataon gaya ng mga celebration ng mga tao na katrabaho, kapitbahay o kakilala natin, hindi tayo dapat madala sa paggaya o maimpluwensiyahan ng iba, kung sila ganun eh di sila, pero siguraduhin natin saan tayo nakasandigan... –Mr. Juan Gabriel Cardona ::

“Saturday ngayon, hindi ba dapat wala ka dito?” Yung ang madalas kong marinig sa mga kaklase ko nung time na nag-give in ako mag-take ng exam pag Sabbath. Ang mahirap, nakokonsyensya ka na nga na sumuway sa Panginoon, pag bumigay ka ng isang beses, lagi ka pang sasabihan ng mga prof na “Nagawa mo na noon ah, bakit hindi mo pwedeng ulitin?”
Karaniwan, kapag sinabi sa akin ang tama, inuunahan ko na sa isip ko na hindi ako susunod, pero sa huli susunod din ako, parang ako yung nasa parable... ako yung nangangailangan ng paalala na “...bind them continually around your heart and tie them about your neck...” –Michael Dominic Flores ::

Holiness is the foremost thing we should be seeking so we must be serious and focused when it comes to that. Always asking and interested “Ano ba ang dapat kong gawin?”... Ang challenge sa akin sa kasalukuyan ay how to transmit holiness in practical everyday responses, for example people who use their holiday season for asking help, yet are clearly in need of basic food, clothing...  –Mr. Raul de Asis-Hipe ::

Hindi po ako willing mag-work ng Saturday, ineexplain ko sa interviewer at pakikinggan naman nila ako, sabay sabi na “Hindi ba pwede na huwag ka muna mag-attend, ako nga hindi nakaka-attend sa church namin pag Sunday pero okay lang,” Sige, sunod-sunod na nire-reject ako sa mga interview, pero alam ko pa din na ang Panginoon ang mgpprovide, gusto ko matutunan ma.honor ang Panginoon... –Kristine Amparo Flores ::

Alam ng teacher na hindi ako pwedeng gumawa ng parol dahil hindi ako nag-ccelebrate ng christmas, kaya binigyan nya ako ng ibang project na gagawin. Eh gagawin sana ako leader nung isang group. Kaya ako lang ang naiba ang ginawa. Pag susunod sa Diyos ay maiiba talaga kaysa sa nakapaligid...  –Ralph Ian David Hipe ::

Nung naiwan ako mag-isa kasama ng anak ko, natuto akong gumawa ng Sabbath service format, nakita tuloy namin sa aming sarili mula sa Scripture ang mga kailangan naming malaman, mga kasagutan, yung mga para sa fatherless, etc. Unti-unti nagbago nung nagsimula kaming sumunod sa napag-aralan. Noong una hindi ko yun na-realize, ilang taon na, ngayon ko lang nakikita yung joy saka peace na pwedeng ituro din sa mga anak dahil naiintindihan at nagagawa ko na... –Mrs. Marissa Flores ::

-Knowing the meaning of being set apart by God for his purpose, despite of ourselves, makikita mo yung halaga na inilagay sa atin ng Panginoon... this will move us to ask “Ano naman ang isusukli ko...?” With the use of the mind God has given us, there really is no choice but life...

-Not a choice between “obeying the law” OR “once saved, always saved,” but slaves to righteousness...

-Only the LORD God is holy. Would you not want to be part of a holy nation, to “sanctify yourselves TO BE holy”? Not until the physical is changed into spirit can this be attained, but while we live, not us, but the spirit of God in us enables us to follow the law of the mind even if it runs against the law in our flesh...

-The will of God for us is our sanctification, always the best for us...

-Even if we have made mistakes in our decisions, if our attitude is right, and we submit totally to God, He has a thousand and one ways to make things work out...

-Look to Jesus Christ. The whole process of sanctification, justification, redemption, a worthwhile lifetime, don’t look left or right and be distracted by all the noise and things said in the world...

-Everything on earth to be dissolved, not by water, but by fire, before everything is made new. For everyone already given a chance to know God in this lifetime, asan ngayon tayo? Do we appreciate how God is dealing with us so intricately and meticulously?

-Para dun sa mga matigas ang ulo, sa holiness ay pumapasok din yung mercy, we must continue to intercede, not get tired and give up. For to God belong the power, the honor and the glory... He is the source of everything forgiveness, compassion, everything we think we have run out of and can’t bear anymore...

-...There is no more sacrifice for those who sin willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth... (Hebrews 10:27) Mas mabuti pang hindi na natin nalaman ang katotohanan kaysa malaman at talikuran. If we neglect our calling, and reach the extreme of rejecting God, the candle inside us that searches the mind may be put out... –Mrs. Priscilla Cardona ::

Pag may mga okasyon sa pamilya na sakto tumataon sa Sabbath, siyempre dahil matulungin ang mga kapatid, andun yung gusto ko tumanaw ng utang na loob. Nag-pray ako “Father, help my unbelief...” Nahirapan pero nakasunod. Nakita ko yung “If you love your father, mother, brothers, more than Me, you are not worthy of Me,” Dumating yung time na willing ako i-let go yung extended family. Akala ko na magiging malamig ang pamilya ko sa akin, pero talagang God sees the heart, mas naging okay pa kami ngayon. Mas naintindihan pa nila kami. Sila pa ngayon ang nagsasabi sa iba na “Hindi kami pwede pag Saturday kasi wala si Theresa...” –Mrs. Ann Theresa Deboma ::

Dati sinasabi ko “for my health,” kapag tinatanong ng mga kapatid, “madaming bawal,” pero natuto ako na maging matibay, do or die pagdating sa pagsunod sa salita ng Diyos, I know He will never leave me nor forsake me... –Mr. Ramon Fernandez ::

Gusto ng mga kaklase ko maging kagaya sa kanila... mag-rosary, pero hindi ko sila sinusunod, ang sinusunod ko po ay yung sinabi ng Panginoon Diyos... –Kharis Arielle Ann Hipe ::

Madaling ipaliwanag sa mga estudyante, pero ang mga kasama sa trabaho, kahit alam nila yun, hindi nila ako pinakakawalan sa pagkuha at pagbibigay ng mga regalo... Nadadapa ako sa maliit na detalye kapag hindi ako alerto, nagkamali ako, dapat mas matibay ang panindigan para malinaw ang halimbawa na makita ng mga nasa paligid ko... –Ms. Cecilia Constantino ::

Nung nagpunta ako sa Singapore madaming work opportunities na mayroon mga minsanang “ngayon lang naman” na work pag Sabbath pero kahit matindi ang pressure, sa huli nag-choose ako na huwag bumigay. Kahit sa anong sitwasyon, ang dapat pala mag-gabay ay hindi sa dahil “malalaman ng iba,” kundi dahil “ano ang sasabihin ng Panginoon...” –Mrs. Edelmia Cardona ::

“Bakit yung iba, kahit muslim o hindi katoliko, nakikisama, hindi KJ killjoy...” Yun ang pinaparinig sa opisina... Dahil mas madami akong na-eencounter na kumokontra tungkol sa Sabbath o sa hindi pag-celebrate ng christmas, ang nakakatuwa lahat ng mga counsel na natanggap ko noon mas nagagamit ko na ngayon.. Kapag naalala ko kung gaano higit pang pangongontra ang ibinato sa Panginoon, nakikita ko na ganun nga talaga ang kailangan daanan ng isang nagsisikap mabuhay ng matuwid ayon sa Panginoon... –Ma. Regina Buendia ::

Natural may obligasyon tayo, biruin mo, inampon tayo ng Panginoon! Nabubuhay tayo para sa kaharian nya, siyempre may batas yun, hindi tayo ang masusunod, kundi ang Panginoon Diyos... Siyempre mahirap magbago, pero huwag maaapektuhan ng mga sinasabi ng tao... –Mrs. Ofelia Limpoco-Magat ::

Minsan may mga pagkakataon lalo na pag sinasabi “Isang taon lang naman, hindi ka naman itatakwil ng church nyo, you have to learn to be a student of grace, hindi naman legalistic ang Panginoon, etc... But when I see in Scripture the foolishness of not deciding firmly, and remember the privilege of being sanctified for God’s purpose, what am I doing? Do I want to be vomited out of God’s mouth for being neither hot nor cold? –Justine Mencias ::

Nakakapag-break po ako ng Sabbath noon. Tumatakas, nakikinood sa kapitbahay. Pero natandaan ko pa din po yung sagot sa Exodus 20, “Remember  the Sabbath day to keep it holy...” –Abram Seve Miguel ::

Dati may mga pagkakataon na umuuwi kami sa nanay ko ng year-end, eh nakita ko hindi kami nakakapag-Sabbath, tapos yung mga bata pag nakikita yung mga nagpapaputok, talagang madadala. Nung una kaming hindi na pumunta ng ganung panahon eh laging nagtatanong ang mga kapitbahay, ang mga kamag-anak bakit hindi na pumupunta, nung nagtagal eh nasanay lang sila, wala nang nagtatanong, normal na sa kanila... –Mrs. Analiz Miguel ::

Sa university kung saan ako nagtuturo, nakaipon na ako ng enough points para mai-translate sa karampatang rank, hindi pa din iyon na-apply kahit may masteral degree na ako. Sa pagkuha ng advanced doctorate degree, madaming teaching opportunities na magbibigay ng mas malaking income. Ngunit nung nabasa ko na yung mga involved sa program, halos lahat ng graduate classes na tuturuan ko ay Saturday ang schedule. Kukunin ko ba yung mas malaking pera kapalit ng disobedience ko? Yung mga ganan eh parang inaagaw lang yung atensyon ko, pride na lang to want to earn more money. Pero sa totoo, kumpleto naman lahat ng pangangailangan namin.Kung may kulang man, madaming ibang tao, madaming blessings na pinapadala ang Panginoon... “No one can serve two masters... you will hate one and love the other...” –Mr. Gilbert Deboma ::