Nieto Bible Page

  We don't want to be criticized. We took criticisms personally. We feel we're attacked when someone pointed out flaws. We shouldn't be afraid of our flaws. They are opportunity to become better and stronger.  If you're a boxer and you can't finish a round, that is an opportunity to develop your cardio. If you can't keep your hands up, that is the chance to develop hand stability and endurance.  We develop when we know and learn of our weaknesses and develop plans to improve them.  If we run away and hide our mistakes, we lose the chance to strengthen these weaknesses.  This will hinder our growth. We'll be surprised how fast one can grow if he embraces his weaknesses and turn them to strength.  Let us not run away. Let us run to Him and He'll help us become stronger. Manatiling nakapokus sa biyaya. Huwag ninyong hayaang nakawin ng mga huwad na guro ang inyong karapatang mag-isip ng doktrina.  (Kung gusto ninyo ng karagdagang impormasyon, bisitahin nin...

  Life is a series of problems, one after another, that require creative solutions. Unfortunately some of these problems are so complex that they can overwhelm us. We are not up to the task and we feel we'll be crushed.  If you're an unbeliever, this is enough to cause despair. If you're a believer but walking like an unbeliever, it is enough yo cause you to lose faith. But for a believer who knew and who reminds himself everyday that God is for him and not against him can face these problems head-on. He's facing them not using their own strength but the strength with which God provides (Eph 1:19). This strength is available to all believers but worldlings forget it and depend on their own. Believers who are sensitive to God's work in his life remembers that he is weak but God is strong. The believer who trusts in God's provision will face problems but not like the unbelievers. He's facing them with the calm confidence that God will use these problems to gro...

  Life is a series of problems. We should be creative in facing them and use them to grow.  Fools (people who do not discern the design behind problems and tests) pray for an easier road, that is the removal of the very thing that will grow them. This is why few develop a healthy perspective on life. We always think of running away rather than running towards God for a divine empowerment to face them.  Wise men discern the designs behind problems and tests. He knew that God allowed them to test his faith, therefore he welcomed them with gladness. The tests are painful but he trusts that God allows them to strengthen his faith and to grow him. Instead of shying away from problems, let us pray for stronger legs to be able to lift these. These will make us even better. We realize that we have a limit and only God can empower us. Manatiling nakapokus sa biyaya. Huwag ninyong hayaang nakawin ng mga huwad na guro ang inyong karapatang mag-isip ng doktrina.  (Kung gusto nin...

  We are a people that is easily to be offended. Even a small insult can make us angry.  We should stop being offended for every little thing.  Just as dirty water doesn't stop plants from growing, neither should we let insults to stop our growth. We shouldn't let negativity to stop us.  Responding to every insults is not wise. Life is too short to spend in analyzing and reanalyzing words that are said. Decide prior hand not to let negative words stop you and when you hear them, let them pass through the other ear. You won't die because of words. Unless you let it affect you.  Instead surround yourself with people who are supportive. Focus on the words that edify and build you up.  Philippians 4:8-9 tells us to be selective on what we allow inside out heads.  Manatiling nakapokus sa biyaya. Huwag ninyong hayaang nakawin ng mga huwad na guro ang inyong karapatang mag-isip ng doktrina. (Kung gusto ninyo ng karagdagang impormasyon, bisitahin ninyo kami. M...

  Huwag kang magtaka kung bilang isang Cristiano, may kalaban ka. Bukod sa sanlibutang nababalot ng poot laban sa Cristiano, ang mga karnal na Cristiano ay isa pang source ng pag-uusig.  Ang Cristianong lumalakad sa laman ay natitisod sa Cristianong lumalakad sa Espiritu.  Bakit?  Dahil ang iyong pamumuhay ay isang patotoo laban sa kanilang makamundo at makalamang pamumuhay.  Ang iyong paglakad sa liwanag ay nakasisilaw sa kanilang madilim na pamumuhay. Kahit hindi ka magsalita, ang kumbiksiyon sa kanilang puso ang magreresulta sa pagkamuhi sa iyo.  Ano ang dapat nating gawin?  Hindi natin mapapatay ang apoy gamit ang apoy din. Sa halip, manatili tayo sa lilim ng Panginoon at ibigay ang laban sa Kaniya. Huwag nating subukang ilagay ang hustisya sa ating mga kamay dahil may Diyos tayong gaganti para sa atin.  Mapuno tayo ng pag-ibig at sikaping abutin ang kapatid pabalik sa Panginoon. Sa ganitong paraan ililigtas natin ang kanilang buhay mula sa ka...

  This reminds me of Job. Sabi niya hubad tayo dumating sa mundong ito at hubad din tayong aalis. That is the reality of life and Job have peace on it. The problem is in between, inuubos natin ang ating oras sa paghahanap ng mga bagay na sasaplot sa ating lamang lupa at hindi sa ating kaluluwa. Ilan sa atin ang kailangang basahing muli ang turo ng Panginoon sa Mateo 6. Ang ating mga puso ay nag-aalala sa kakainin at susuutin natin; nalilimutan nating ang Diyos na makapangyarihan ay nagawang pakainin at damitan ang mga ibon at liryo. Tayo pa kayang nilalang sa Kaniyang larawan?  Sa halip na magpokus tayo sa mga permanente, espirituwal at makabuluhang mga bagay, nakapokus tayo sa temporal, materyal at walang eternal na kabuluhan. Ang puso natin ay nasa lupa, hindi sa mga bagay sa itaas. Pinipili natin ang mamon sa halip na ang Diyos.  Tila tayo mga batang nasisiyahan na sa pagligo sa baha samantalang ang Diyos ay nag-aalok ng 5 star resort and hotel. Nasisiyahan tayo sa tem...

  Having children is a privilege. It is our privilege to be partners of God to shape our children to the likeness of Christ.  As Christian parents, we can transmit to our children our beliefs and values.  If we don't, the world will transmit its own beliefs and values.  Are we willing to lose our children to the world? The world will take our children away from God.  If we don't teach our children Christian beliefs and values, we shouldn't be surprised if they act like unbelievers and worldlings.  If we wanted our children to be Christ-like, teach your children doctrine. This will shape their thoughts and actions.  Manatiling nakapokus sa biyaya. Huwag ninyong hayaang nakawin ng mga huwad na guro ang inyong karapatang mag-isip ng doktrina.  (Kung gusto ninyo ng karagdagang impormasyon, bisitahin ninyo kami. May pagtitipon kami sa Dahat, kada Linggo, kada 1:00-3:00 pm. Sana manampalataya kayo at kita-kita tayo. Isang mahalagang paalala: ang mga blo...

  It doesn't matter what happened in the past, if you're alive, God still has a purpose for you.  You probably think that you're a failure, that you amount to nothing, but if you're alive, God is still rewriting your story. Don't take the pen from the Writer.  Let the Writer finish your story to conform you to Christ. Don't be afraid to start fresh. Don't be afraid to cut ties from those that will take you away from Christ and to start a new life somewhere.  Build new network. Try new things. Start a new hobby. Don't be afraid to start and try because as the son and daughter of the King, a whole new world of possibility is open to us.  Christ died to set us free from slavery so we can stand in the newness of life. New means an opportunity to start again. To rewrite as often as you need. You can always repackage yourself to be Christ-like.  Every day is a fresh beginning. What new things will you write on your pages?  Manatiling nakapokus sa biyaya. Huw...

  Before you accuse me of becoming an Erika Kirk simp, I don't know her prior to Charlie's murder. I followed and shared Charlie's videos but I was surprised she was a lawyer, entrepreneur and beauty titlist. I didn't know anything about her, other than the other half of the Kirk couple.  Having said that, I do admire the strength it took to face everything that is happening. Watching your spouse die publicly and watching all the socmed comments, and now handling the Turning Point organization, all of these take steel of nerves.  But what is more admiring is the strength of character to forgive people who took the love of your life. In a world that glorify beauty, achievement, and talents, it is refreshing to see someone that standout not in beauty, achievement or talents (and mind you she have all three more than the three women mentioned in the photo), but on Christian character.  As I blogged before, it is easy now when the cameras are following you and when peopl...

  "I can't serve. I am so ordinary." Of course you are. God works out His extraordinary plans through ordinary people.  He gifted every believers so they can participate in His work of redemption. And by redemption, I am not just referring to the work at the Cross which provides the basis for all divine benefits (remember grace is anything God is free to do and give on the basis of the Cross) but also the redemption of daily lives (through perception, metabolization and application of doctrine) and the future redemption of planet Earth (when Jesus returned a second time to cleanse this planet and turn this to His kingdom). He could have done that with a flick of His fingers. But He used agents instead.  First, He used you and me, ordinary people to share the good news of eternal life through faith alone in Christ alone. He could have send angels or appear on the sky or many other ways but He used ordinary people. This is an opportunity for us to work where God works and t...

  I am not sure what is so radical and divisive with these? If you ask me, these make sense and will result to a strong society.  Getting married and having children is the basis of the society. It doesn't matter how noble a society is, if they don't reproduce within the context of marriage, that society is on the way to extinction. Marriage provides the framework where children can grow and learn and develop.  I am not sure what is wrong with building a legacy and passing down our values. It is only natural as Christian parents that we build a legacy of faith and values and that these are passed down to our children. There's nothing divisive about this. If anything we're reproducing ourselves to our children, ensuring that we believe and value remain our children's beliefs and values.  Pursuing the eternal is definitely better than pursuing the temporal and meaningless. And we all know that true joy is found not on the things below but on the things above. What is ...

  Pumanaw na si Vodie Baucham. Honestly hindi ako masyadong pamilyar sa kaniyang mga turo but based on his associations, he's a Calvinist and a Lordship salvationist.  But I like this quote so I am blogging on it.  Based sa mga eulogies na aking nabasa, he lived and died for this belief: that the gospel, not the culture that dictates truth.  And we should believe, live and die by the same truth.  Madalas tayo ay naimpluwensiyahan ng kultura. Iniisip nating basta acceptable sa marami, acceptable na rin sa ating mga Cristiano. Kaya ang ating mga beliefs and values ay indistinguishable sa mga unbelievers. Hindi nila makita ang ating pagkakaiba. Magtataka pa ba tayo kung bakit hindi nila makita ang relevance ng evangelio?  Kung ang ating paniniwala, pagpapahalaga at pamumuhay ay walang pinagkaiba sa kulturang ating kinamulatan, huwag tayong magtaka kung wala tayong markang maiwan sa kanila.  Sa halip na magpaimpluwensiya sa paniniwala at pagpapahalaga ng s...

Don't worry, I haven't embraced the pseudoscientific law of attraction. I don't believe in ritual magic (that thoughts can affect reality because we're creators). I am talking of a different secret. I am talking about staying in tune with God all the time and that is only possible if the servant is filled by means of the Spirit with the Word of God. That is, if the Word of Christ richly dwells the believer, the believer will be filled by means of the Spirit.  I have read Oswald Chamber's My Utmost for His Highest. Personally, it is mystical for my taste. But I love how the author is devoted to His Savior and Lord.  If we wanted to be able to provide a service that is God honoring, and not people-pleasing or eye-serving, we should be focused on learning how He thinks and act in accordance with those thinking. That means spending time studying His Word, meditating on it, and looking for creative ways to apply it. That way, our service will be according to His will.  O...

  Erika Kirk shows Christian love when she forgave her husband's murderer. This reflects her husband's sentiment as expressed in this Tweet by Charlie.  It is nice and encouraging to see a couple who practiced what they believe even to death.  Maaari sanang maging bitter si Erika. I know I would kung mangyari ito sa aking asawa. Short of God's grace, ilalagay ko ang hustisya sa aking mga kamay at lintik lang ang walang ganti.  But that is probably what separates Erika from myself and from many people. Most of us are raised in hatred- we took the Lex Talionis far from its intended purpose. Instead of limiting the damages commensurate with the offense, we use it to justify getting even.  Erika took the high road. She didn't let hatred to bitter her soul. Instead she used grace, Heb 12:15. Of course it is still too early. Right now, she is being supported by her husband's supporters. She can do many things because there are people who are behind her. The real test ...

  Erika Kirk delivered an excellent message last Sunday (Saturday sa USA). I have been blogging some of the highlights.  Today, I wanted to focus on choosing Christ.  The accompanying picture closely resembled Paul's statement in Philippians 4:8. It is not about being a positive thinker. It is about intentionally focusing on virtue rather than vice.  And in Erika's quote, the highest is choosing Christ. Anyone, even unbelievers can choose prayer, courage, beauty, adventure and family, and even faith (that is religious beliefs) But only a Christian can intentionally and continually choose Christ. Every day we're faced with choices. Our decisions reflect our priorities and values. Do we intentionally choose Christ and His values over the world's? Do we choose Christ even if it means loneliness because you will lose friends? Do we choose Christ even if it means no promotion because you won't compromise your beliefs? Do we choose Christ over our own fleshly desires? Aft...

  We're not defined by the past. Sabi nga ng iba, ang nakalipas ay isang bagay na inaalala, hindi pinanahanan. We learn from it but we don't need to live in it.  I don't know kung anong pinagdaraanan mo but one thing for sure: don't let the present be ruined by a bad yesterday.  Yes, past decisions have consequences but so are present attitudes and decisions. If we're wise and humble, present decisions can even offset and change the past.  That is how we end culture of violence for instance- we don't let the hatred of the past dictate how we act now. We learn to forgive and let go.  We can set into motion decisions that will result to freedom from hurt and the need to avenge oneself.  Maybe someone broke you before. In the presence of God, there's always a new beginning. His mercies are new every morning.  No matter what happened before, those are in the past. The important thing is today. What can we do now that will influence our tomorrows.  Man...

  I admire Erika Kirk. I will be honest. Kung sa akin nangyari ang nangyari sa kaniya- makita niya ang pagpatay ng kaniyang asawa (repeatedly thanks to social media), I am not sure I will be forgiving.  It takes character to forgive as Christ did.  Apparently, isa ito sa mga bagay na natutunan niya kay Charlie. Alam niyang ito ang gagawin ni Charlie at ito ang kaniyang ginawa. Talk about continuing the legacy of Charlie Kirk. Forgiven people forgives. We forgive not because we're better but because God forgave us in Christ. Madalas kung i-blog na unforgiveness is a form of prison kung saan ikaw ang preso at jailer. It is like drinking poison while waiting for the others to fall. Habang ang taong kinamumuhian mo ay nagsasaya ng kaniyang buhay, ikaa ay alipin ng poot. Magkaka-ulcer ka ng iyong ginagawa.  But when we forgive we release ourselves from being controlled by the person. We refuse to let him live rent free in our heads. Instead of claiming the right for venge...

  There's nothing wrong with emotions. It is part of what man man. But when the emotion takes over a person so that he no longer clearly thinks, there's a problem.  Our emotions are appreciators and responders. They're not meant to think for us. Iyan ang trabaho ng ating isipan.  In a healthy person, the mentality thinks and initiates action in the body. The emotions respond to mentality as an appreciator.  For instance, when you think of your loved one, you feel emotional. When you think fearful things, you become scared. When you think of God's goodness, you become thankful and appreciative.  Depende kung ano ang laman ng isipan mo at iyon ang magdidikta kung paano ka makakaramdam.  Pero kung hahayaan natin ang ating emosyong magrebelde, samakatuwid, hindi na tayo nag-iisip kundi nagrereact lamang nang basta-basta, ang resulta ay isang taong hiwalay sa realidad. We're emotional and irrational.  Hindi natin inaanalisa ang mga pangyayari at kumikilos t...

  200, 000 people attended and 100 million streamed this. Why? Because Charlie Kirk left a mark on millions of people. Following his murder, the churches become crowded by the new "Charlie Kirks." Until we meet again.  In this life, hindi tayo personal na magkakilala. Isa lamang ako sa milyong nakinig at nakinabang sa iyong mga recorded debates and dialogues. Ngunit sa maikling panahong napakinggan ang iyong mga mensahe, I am impressed by your ability to incorporate your faith in Christ sa iyong mga sagot sa tanong ng mga kabataan. I don't always agree with what you said. To be honest you're a little lordshippy. But I love that you keep on mentioning faith in Christ. Your trust in Christ. Your love for Christ. And I believe, based on what I heard, that you really believe in Christ, regardless of how you enunciate that faith.  I expect to see you in eternity when I die. As a believer in Christ, I am convinced that faith alone in Christ alone is the only condition for e...

  We are at a war. Invisible but real, we are engaged in spiritual warfare.  And unless we are prepared, we will be a casualty.  The best preparation is knowledge, understanding and application of the Word of God.  Satan is a lion ready to devour the unwary Christian. Kung hindi tayo handa, we will become a casualty. Maraming weapons si Satan at his disposal. Problema, sakit, pag-uusig, karamdaman, kabiguan atbp. Yes, God can use all of these to increase our faith but Satan use the same to nake us distrust and disbelieve God. What spells the difference is whether we're grounded on the Word of God or not.  If we regularly read and apply the Word of God, our faith increases and we grow spiritually. That enables us to recognize and avoid and stand firm against Satan's wiles.  If we're not grounded on the Word of God, we'll face the problems of life with our own resources and we'll be found wanting. On our own, we're no match against the god of this world....

  Ilang minuto (not the most immediate) bago mapatay si Charlie Kirk nagpatotoo siya sa Persona at Gawa ni Jesucristo sa krus. Bagama't hindi niya sinabing manampalataya kay Jesus bilang nag-iisa at tanging kundisyon upang magkaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan, ito ay madalas niyang mabanggit (not exact words) sa iba niyang mga talks.  Ang kaniyang life message hanggang sa sandali ng kaniyang kamatayan ay single and simple- Jesus Christ. I probably will not agree with him 100% sa kaniyang theology but one thing I will agree with- he believes in Jesus and he loves him.  Even in death, ang kaniyang messages ay nagdadala ng tao kay Cristo.  Ayon sa reports, mas dumaming nagsimba days after his murder. Even liberals testify how he changed their thinking and living.  In many ways, his blood still speaks.  Ang kaniyang life and death message still communicate.  Ang tanong, ano ang magiging last words natin sa panahong kumatok si Kamatayan sa ating mga pintuan...

  There are 5 love languages according to Chapman. Iba-iba ang paraan natin ng pagpapadama ng pag-ibig. But I think inviting someone to church is one of the best love languages.  If you love someone you would want the best for that person. Inviting someone to listen to the exposition of the Word of God is definitely one of the ways to want the best for a person. In the chapel, a person will be able to hear the message of life. Malalaman niyang hindi natin kayang iligtas ang ating mga sarili ngunit si Jesus ay namatay sa krus sa isang layon - ang bayaran ang ating mga kasalanan. Ginawa Niya ito upang ang kasalanan ay hindi maging hadlang sa pagitan ng tao at ng Diyos. Sa chapel malalaman niyang ang tanging dapat gawin ng tao upang magkaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan ay manampalataya kay Jesus.  Sa chapel niya malalaman ang kahalagahan ng doktrina sa pagpalago ng pananampalataya. Ito ang magpapalakas ng kaniyang kaluluwa upang lumago sa maintimasyang relasyon sa Diyos- yun...

  We will all die. The question is are we living a mark? Charlie Kirk wanted to be remembered for his courage and faith. When we die, what we'll be remembered for? Will those left behind remember us as grace people? Or will we be remembered as judgmental legalists?  Will we remembered for our willingness to die for our convictions? Or remembered for cowardice in face of opposition?  Our story is still being written. No matter what happened in the past or happening now, we can still change the future of our stories. We can still live a legacy. We can still decide what we will be remembered for.  I don't know about you but I wanted to be remembered as a Christian father who leads his own family to Christ. I wanted to duplicate my faith and values to my children and my grandchildren.  The world may not remember me. But I wanted my descendants to talk about me: "I am a Christian now because our ancestor stood for free grace. He shared the saving message to us." I wa...

 God is love. His very nature is love. And for that I am thankful. Because that means He loves out of His unchanging character. So when the Bible says God loves the world, He does so out of His nature and not based on anything lovable in the world. This is comforting. There is so much evil in the world, it is easy not to love it.  But because God is love, He can love even imperfect humans, including me.  That means He loves me even when I am flawed.  I may not be lovable but He loves me just the same.  He demonstrated that love when He gave Jesus as propitiation for our sins. The only requirement to enjoy this love is believe in Jesus.  What love can be greater than this? If He loves me because of something good in me, there is very little to love. But because He loves me out of His unchanging character, He can love me to the maximum, warts and all.  I may not be performing well, for this righteousness thing is foreign to my nature, but He loves me sti...