A DOSE OF FAITH – December 2013

God’s Creation

BY RICHARD G. MENDOZA, MPH, PHD

At the turn of the nineteenth century, Napoleon and his army were on their way across the Mediterranean Sea to conquer the Egyptians. One starlit night, a number of Napoleon’s soldiers, products of the French Revolution and its rejection of God, were trying to outdo each other in giving reasons why they knew there was no God.

Napoleon, in his characteristic manner, was pacing back and forth on the deck listening to their reasoning, when one of them asked him what he thought of what they had said. He thoughtfully responded, “Very good, but if there is no God, then who made and sustains all of those?” And he pointed upward at the stars looking down on them.

That is a good question. Who made this world and the billions of stars, and who charts their course and keeps them in that course? Many gods have been worshiped by people throughout the ages. And people worship many different gods today: Buddha, Shinto, Satan, the gods of the Hindus, and others. Their followers each claim that their god is the only true and supreme God in the world. And many have been taught that God is not the Creator of all that we see.

They believe instead in what Darwin taught: a theory called evolution, which teaches our children that the world and the cosmos came into being through a series of changes that took place over billions of years. This theory of origins teaches that once the first cell was formed, it went through many biological and geological changes, and the marvelous universe came about. Blind chance and miraculous changes account for the intricate universe that we see about us. Can all of this miraculous universe be simply a product of changes in nature, not guided by any supreme intelligence but just happening randomly here and there?

As we examine the intricate design of almost everything we see on this earth and in this universe, we must conclude that there is an intelligence at work in the creation and sustaining of life on this earth. The whole world was excited to see the amazing feat of the first space shuttle flight. They saw the rocket ignite, and then the supporting mechanism fall away as the mighty power of the engine lifted the vehicle heavenward. We listened with keen anticipation to regular reports on the capsule’s progress as it separated from the shuttle and continued on its way through space.

Radio messages from the astronauts and their detailed descriptions reminded us of the years of research and planning that had been necessary to build and launch the Columbia, thrusting it into space and safely returning it to earth. Had anyone watching the Columbia during her flight declared that the whole project was the result of blind chance, he would have been labeled insane.

As we look at the heavens and realize that the numberless stars above are guided in their assigned orbits with such precision that astronomers can predict the exact location of each heavenly body years into the future, we begin to realize that a Master Intelligence obviously has been involved with the design, creation, and control of the complex universe in which we live.

That Master Designer is God!

Let’s find our more about Him. Where should we start in this search for the handiwork of God? Let’s see what the Psalmist had to say about the way man was created: “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works.” (Psalm 139:14).

The design of the human body demands the existence of a Designer. Have you ever wondered about all that is involved in the simple act of seeing? Scientists tell us that the delicate engineering of the eye’s cornea and lens make the most advanced camera seem like child’s toy by comparison. The tiny rods and cones in the eye change light into electro-chemical impulses through processes even the most sophisticated laboratory can’t reproduce.

Brain cells transform these electrical impulses into the miracle of seeing-something no high-tech computer can come close to doing. Darwin once stated that the thought of the eye, and how it could possibly be produced by natural selection, made him ill. And here’s why: The human eye could not have evolved over long periods of time, because it is absolutely useless unless complete.

The lens, which focuses light, would be useless without the retina, which senses light. Vision involves a complete system of organs, all interrelated, all thoroughly designed. That’s the way the human body is.

All parts perform incredibly complicated tasks. No wonder the Psalmist said we are fear-fully and wonderfully made! You probably remember what God had to say about the origin of man: “… Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.” (Genesis 1:26). It was an all-wise, caring God who gave man those two eyes to help him in seeing the wonders of His Creator. Adam and Eve did not just evolve or just happen. The Bible states that God designed our bodies in His image. He is the Great Engineering Intelligence who designed us and then brought us into being!

Man is very complicated and could only have been designed by a very wise Designer.

Please follow this series and be filled with more wisdom about creation. This will strengthen your faith in God, the creator. May the Lord bless you!

For comments, write me at chardgrace@yahoo.com

A Dose of Faith – November 2013

When A Man Dies

By Richard G. Mendoza, MPH, PhD

Those who came back to life told stories about what happened when they were dead. But they did not really die! They went through what is called a “Near Death Experience”.

An online encyclopedia explains that “a near-death experience (NDE) refers to personal experiences associated with impending death, encompassing multiple possible sensations including detachment from the body, feelings of levitation, total serenity, security, warmth, the experience of absolute dissolution, and the presence of a light. These phenomena are usually reported after an individual has been pronounced clinically dead or very close to death.”

What happens when a man dies? Does he go straight to heaven, to hell or to some other place? In the Bible, God told Adam after the fall in Genesis 3:18,19: “In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.”

Here is the key to understanding what death is all about and what God intends to do to save us from eternal separation from Him. The Bible says that man would return to the dust from which he was taken. Notice how Adam was created by God: “And the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living beHere is the key to understanding what death is all about and what God intends to do to save us from eternal separation from Him. The Bible says that man would return to the dust from which he was taken. Notice how Adam was created by God: “And the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7)

God took the elements of the earth and made a body for man. But man, at that point was only a corpse. It took something more to make him a living being. It says here that God breathed into Adam’s nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul.

Consider an equation like this:[Body + Breath = A Living Soul] or in death we might write

[Body – Breath = Corpse]. That is what the Wise man said in Ecclesiastes,

“Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it,” (Ecclesiastes 12:7). Job also adds: “As long as my breath is in me, and the breath of God in my nostrils, my lips will not speak wickedness.” (Job 27: 3)

It is clear that in death, the body returns to dust and the spirit, also translated as breath of life, returns to God. Note that the word spirit is in small letter and is therefore not referring to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead. This spirit refers to what was breathed by God to the dust, to make it a living person. The breath of life is different from the oxygen given to patients in hospitals that won’t give life to a dead man; it only comes from God, the source of life.

Let’s take a look at another text.“Do not put your trust in princes, nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help. His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; in that very day his plans perish,” (Psalm 146:3,4). King David introduces something new here. He says that when the breath leaves the body and it returns to the earth that the conscience part of man or his thoughts perish! This harmonizes with what Solomon said: “For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward , also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished.” (Ecclesiastes 9:5,6) He knows nothing! This is in keeping with what the psalmist wrote, that the dead are not in heaven praising God.

Then where are they, you will ask. David makes it quite clear: “The dead do not praise the Lord, nor any who go down into silence.” (Psalm 15:17) “But man dies and is laid away; indeed he breathes his last and where is he? So man lies down and does not rise, till the heavens are no more, they will not awake nor be roused from their sleep. For the memory of them is forgotten.” Here we have it from God’s own Word that man dies and lies down in the grave and does not rise until the resurrection day. The dead do not roam around as ghosts either, they are there at the cemetery! The breath of life also returns to God, does not roam around and it’s not a personality that is able to speak and think.

You will notice that Job used the term sleep in talking about death. That’s the same thing that other Bible writers say. David wrote: “Consider and hear me, O Lord my God; enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death.” (Psalm 13:3) David was afraid of sleeping the sleep of death, he wanted to live! Daniel tells about the dead who will be raised just before the coming of Christ: “And, many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt.” (Daniel 12: 2)

One of the most comforting truths in God’s Word is that when a person dies he or she rest quietly, undisturbed by the problems of life until the call of the Life giver. Is it any wonder that the Bible likens death to a sleep? The prophet Nathan told King David what would happen to him his time to die would come.“When thy days be fulfilled,… thou shalt sleep with thy fathers.” (2 Samuel 7:12) Jesus Himself called death a sleep. He used the same descriptive term to describe the death of His dear friend, Lazarus (read the story in John 11).

This is the message of comfort that the apostle Paul shared with the early Christians: “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope!” (1 Thessalonians 4:13)

Paul tells us what Jesus will do when He comes the second time: “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16)

Paul describes in detail the events that will occur when Jesus comes:

“Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed —in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” (1 Corinthians 15:51,52)

Jesus had told the disciples that all would be raised from the grave.“Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear his voice and come forth —-those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” (John 5:28,29)

What about those who are still alive? “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17)

Try to analyze, if people went to either heaven or hell at death, why would there be any need for the resurrection of either the righteous or unrighteous?

Why would Jesus make this statement as He comes back the second time?

Stories told by those who went through near death experiences and were revived are therefore untrue. Science and medicine attributed those experiences as products of hallucinations when the dying lacks oxygen (hypoxia) on the brain or when there were surges of electrical impulses on the brain during NDE, but this is another subject matter to be discussed.

Remember we will die in this sinful world, but our hope lies in Jesus who says: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” (John 11:25)

For comments, write me at chardgrace@yahoo.com

A Dose of Faith – September 2013

Genuine Repentance

BY RICHARD G. MENDOZA, MPH, PHD

I think, if John the Baptist were here, he would rebuke many with regards to the pork barrel; and Jesus, if He were around, would likewise tell them, “ Repent of your sins and be reformed.”

It is not yet too late to abolish a system that is prone to corruption, and for all those guilty, to repent and mend their ways. The people’s cry is for those involved, to suff er the consequences of their misdeeds, be persecuted and jailed. Spiritually though, they could be forgiven if their repentance is sincere.

But how does one show genuine repentance? Let me explain for our guidance:

First, repentance is sorrow for sin and turning away from it, then, turning toward God. Repentance is a sorrowful feeling for something we did but we wish we didn’t do.

Second, repentance is a gift from God. Our carnal nature resists repentance. It cannot accept that we could do something wrong. God is the One guiding us; He drives us to repentance. The Holy Spirit generates a conviction of sin in us so we may come to Jesus, the source of forgiveness. The Bible says, “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and long suff ering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4)

The reason for our repentance differentiates between true and false repentance; it can be either “godly sorrow” or “worldly sorrow.” Paul declares in the Bible, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10 NIV)

These repentance stories of Esau (Heb.12:17), The Pharaoh (Exo.12:29-32), Balaam (No. 22: 32-35) and Judas (Mat. 27:4-5) have something in common. None felt guilty for their sins but for the consequences of them. These are examples of false repentance.

To differentiate between the two types of repentance, notice the following contrasts:

True repentance

• Feeling sadness because of having sinned against God.
• Sincerely confessing the sin.
• No excuses, taking the blame. 
• Deciding to get away from sin.

False repentance

• Feeling sadness because of the consequences of sin.
• Vaguely confessing the sin.
• Looking for excuses and other people to blame.
• Willing to repeat the sin if not suffering the consequences again.

The Easton Dictionary of the Bible further elaborates that, there are three Greek words used in the New Testament to denote repentance.

(1) The verb metamelomai means a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word refers to the repentance of Judas (Matt 27: 3.)
(2) Metanoeo means to change one’s mind and purpose, as the result of after-knowledge.
(3) The cognate noun metanoia, when used with the verb metanoeo, means true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised.

Evangelical repentance consists of:

(1) a true sense of one’s own guilt and sinfulness; (2) an apprehension of God’s mercy in Christ; (3) an actual hatred of sin (Ps 119: 12 8; Job 42: 5 6; 2Cor 7: 10) and turning from it to God; and, (4) a persistent endeavor after a holy life in walking with God in the way of his commandments.

The true penitent is conscious of guilt (Ps 51: 4 9), of pollution (51: 5 7, 10), and of helplessness (51: 11; Ps 51: 4, 22). Thus he apprehends himself to be just what God has always seen him to be and declares him to be. But repentance comprehends not only such a sense of sin, but also an apprehension of mercy, without which there can be no true repentance (Ps 51: 1 130: 4)

Corrupt politicians and the scheming cohorts, fake-NGO people—whoever genuinely repent, God will forgive. And without prejudging them, the admission of their guilt, restitution/returning of what were stolen, suffering the other consequences of their sinful involvement and total abolition in whatever form of the pork barrel would indicate remorse and repentance on the part of our legislators and all who in one way or another benefitted illegally from this menace to the society.

And by the way, pork is not only bad for our country, it’s bad for our health too!

For comments, write me at chardgrace@yahoo.com

A Dose of Faith – August 2013

On Birth Control

By Richard G. Mendoza, MPH, PHD

As of this writing, the Supreme Court extended indefinitely the status quo ante order (SQAO) on the controversial Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RH) Act which was signed into law in December 2012. The high court issued a 120-day SQAO on the controversial law last March and needs more time to examine the 15 petitions questioning the constitutional basis of the law.

In my column before the law was enacted, I expounded on the misinterpretation of the biblical injunction “to go and multiply”. In Genesis 1:28 where God blessed Adam and Eve and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fi sh of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth”, I mentioned that there was then a need to populate the world, and that in today’s world, the situation is reversed: 1.) that the human race is threatened by overpopulation; 2.) that there’s a need to reduce the world’s population now and; 3.) that we should not forget that we are no longer living in the time of Adam and Eve when they were alone in this earth!

I also explained that the added command, “to subdue” means to control and take responsibility; that God wanted man, not only to literally multiply, but to go out to work with the rest of the human beings of this planet and to apply the stewardship theory, and that this implies taking care of the earth and all its resources.

But let us remember that the Reproductive Health law is not only related to birth control and concern about saving the lives of 11 women that die daily in the Philippines, hence our church (Seventh day Adventist) statement of moral considerations regarding birth control was set in the broader context of biblical teachings about sexuality, marriage, parenthood, and the value of children–and an understanding of the interconnectedness between these issues.

May I share the following biblicallybased principles set forth by our church leadership to educate and to guide the decision making of our church members:

1.Responsible stewardship. God created human beings in His own image, male and female, with capacities to think and to make decisions (Isa 1:18; Josh 24:15; Deut 30:15-20). God gave human beings dominion over the earth (Gen 1:26, 28). This dominion requires overseeing and caring for nature. Christian stewardship also requires taking responsibility for human procreation. Sexuality, as one of the aspects of human nature over which the individual has stewardship, is to be expressed in harmony with God’s will (Exod 20:14; Gen 39:9;Lev 20:10-21; 1 Cor 6:12-20).

2. Procreative purpose. The perpetuation of the human family is one of God’s purposes for human sexuality (Gen 1:28). Though it may be inferred that marriages are generally intended to yield off spring, scripture never presents procreation as an obligation of every couple in order to please God. However, divine revelation places a high value on children and expresses the joy to be found in parenting (Matt 19:14; Ps 127:3). Bearing and rearing children help parents to understand God and to develop compassion, caring, humility, and unselfi shness(Ps 103:13; Luke 11:13).

3. Unifying purpose. Sexuality serves a unifying purpose in marriage that is Godordained and distinguishable from the procreative purpose (Gen 2:24). Sexuality in marriage is intended to include joy, pleasure, and delight (Eccl 9:9; Prov 5:18, 19; Song of Sol 4:16-5:1). God intends that couples may have ongoing sexual communion apart from procreation (1 Cor 7:3-5), a communion that forges strong bonds and protects a marriage partner from an inappropriate relationship with someone other than his or her spouse (Prov 5:15-20; Song of Sol 8:6, 7). In God’s design, sexual intimacy is not only for the purpose of conception. Scripture does not prohibit married couples from enjoying the delights of conjugal relations while taking measures to prevent pregnancy.

4. Freedom to choose. In creation–and again through the redemption of Christ–God has given human beings freedom of choice, and He asks them to use their freedom responsibly (Gal 5:1, 13). In the divine plan, husband and wife constitute a distinct family unit, having both the freedom and the responsibility to share in making determinations about their family (Gen 2:24). Married partners should be considerate of each other in making decisions about birth control, being willing to consider the needs of the other as well as one’s own (Phil 2:4). For those who choose to bear children, the procreative choice is not without limits. Several factors must inform their choice, including the ability to provide for the needs of children (1 Tim 5:8); the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of the mother and other care givers (3 John 2; 1 Cor 6:19; Phil 2:4; Eph 5:25); the social and political circumstances into which children will be born (Matt 24:19); and the quality of life and the global resources available. We are stewards of God’s creation and therefore must look beyond our own happiness and desires to consider the needs of others (Phil 2:4).

5. Appropriate methods of birth control. Moral decision making about the choice and use of the various birth control agents must stem from an understanding of their probable effects on physical and emotional health, the manner in which the various agents operate, and the financial expenditure involved. A variety of methods of birth control-including barrier methods, spermicides, and sterilization–prevent conception and are morally acceptable. Some other birthcontrol methods may prevent the release of the egg (ovulation), may prevent the union of egg and sperm (fertilization), or may prevent attachment of the already fertilized egg (implantation). Because of uncertainty about how they will function in any given instance, they may be morally suspect for people who believe that protectable human life begins at fertilization. However, since the majority of fertilized ova naturally fail to implant or are lost after implantation, even when birth control methods are not being used, hormonal methods of birth control and IUDs, which represent a similar process, may be viewed as morally acceptable. Abortion, the intentional termination of an established pregnancy, is not morally acceptable for purposes of birth control.

6. Misuse of birth control. Though the increased ability to manage fertility and protect against sexually transmitted disease may be useful to many married couples, birth control can be misused. For example, those who would engage in premarital and extramarital sexual relations may more readily indulge in such behaviors because of the availability of birth control methods. The use of such methods to protect sex outside of marriage may reduce the risks of sexually transmitted diseases and/or pregnancy. Sex outside of marriage, however, is both harmful and immoral, whether or not these risks have been diminished.

7. A redemptive approach. The availability of birth-control methods makes education about sexuality and morality even more imperative. Less effort should be put forth in condemnation and more in education and redemptive approaches that seek to allow each individual to be persuaded by the deep movings of the Holy Spirit.

For comments, write me at chardgrace@yahoo.com

A Dose of Faith – July 2013

Limiting Beliefs

By Richard G. Mendoza, MPH, PHD

In his article adopted by Tommy’s Widows, Thomas J. Stevens warns us “not to act like an elephant!”

“You may know that in India elephants are used for manual labor. But what to do with them when they are not working? How to restrain them? Their handlers came up with the idea to program them while they are still very young by setting self-imposed limits into their thinking.”

How does it work? When the elephants are still small, weighing around 150 pounds, they get tied up with a very heavy rope. All day long, the elephants try to get rid of it; (they) whine, tug at it, and some of them even chew it. But they can’t get free. finally, the elephant gives up and the fight is over. from this moment on, they strongly believe that there is absolutely no chance to get rid of the rope. They accept the fact that the rope limits them. And with this imprinted belief in place, their handlers are able to tie them with extremely small ropes. even as adults weighing 8,000 pounds and more, they never attempt to break free, because they know they have no chance at all! As you can see, the elephants limits are not real but exist only in their mind.

We also have built-in boundaries. They are also not real but exist only in our minds. But it doesn’t have to stay this way. Our negative belief systems don’t have to limit us for good.

If you really want to be successful in life, you can change your inner belief system, your attitude, and break your inner boundaries. You might feel that there are certain characteristics of your personality that are part of you and therefore cannot change; it’s just the way you are, the way God made you. Although it’s true that you have certain inborn traits, certain strength and weaknesses, this doesn’t mean that you can never change. You might wonder how can this be, how can you change what you feel is a long-standing habit, an almost ingrained characteristics, and turn it into something different.

All things are possible with God! Let’s look at the Bible to find guidance. Paul says in romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” The power of God cannot be fully unleashed through a person until their mind is renewed according to the Word of God and is in submission to the Spirit of God. A person has to have a renewing in their mind to walk in newness of life (new patterns, new behaviors, and new thoughts).

We are told in Ephes. 4:22-24: “that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lust and be renewed in the spirit of your mind and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”

The Bible says that the former manner of life or the old self is based uppon deceit or lies. Every person has lies or wrong beliefs, as well as truth and godly beliefs, which make up the foundation of their thought patterns or ways of thinking. The Word of God says that the old self and deceit must be laid aside.

Lies and false beliefs and patterns of thinking, which do not agree and line up with the Word of God and a person’s identity in Christ. A false belief or a lie can appear to be true based on a person’s experiences, but is absolutely false based on God’s Word.

You need tochoose to renew your mind and to set it on the things of the Spirit. Make the choice to take authority over and change your thoughts in life. You are a child of God and nothing is impossible with Him.

Yes, you can be victorious! And declare like Paul, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”(Phil. 4:13).

For comments, write me at chardgrace@yahoo.com

A Dose of Faith – May 2013

On Jesus, Politics and Society

By Richard G. Mendoza, MPH, PhD

The political climate is at its peak before, during, and right after an election. Promises have been made, advocacies proclaimed, and everybody hopes for a better society when everything goes back to normal. Christians are often confronted with questions related to social issues and the extent of their involvement in politics. Of course, no single Christian denomination has the monopoly of answers, but most (if not all) will agree that Jesus should be the model. Despite the differences in beliefs and practices, Christ’s teachings and examples serve as the guiding light to seek the will of God.

The Ministry and example of Jesus

The ministry of Jesus, however, given the sociopolitical circumstances of His day, is an example and guide for societal con-science more pronounced than that of any of the Old Testament prophets. Luke’s account of Christ’s societal activity is very vivid: Christ’s emphasis and concern for the captives, the blind, and the oppressed (Luke 4:18-19), the poor and the hungry (6:20-21), the sick and infirm (7:22-23), the despised Gentile (7:1-10), economic oppression and excesswealth (18:18-28; 16:5), and charity for the needy (12:32-34; 10:30-37), defines His service on earth in terms of society’s victims in ways yet unappreciated by a great percentage of His followers.

Christ not only straightened their limbs and filled their stomachs; He lifted their hopes and freed their spirits from the psychological yokes that an insensitive society had levied upon them. Christ’s persistent regard for the status of women also has special notice in Luke’s Gospel. Since women were among the heavily oppressed in the society in which Christ lived, His stance toward them is especially noteworthy.

Jesus, on government

Christ’s correctives regarding government are more subtle but they are seen in the following instances: 1. His response to the question about tribute by relegating to Caesar a place subordinate to and critiqued by God (Mark 12:17); 2. His reference to Herod Antipas as “that fox” (Luke 13:32); 3. His refusal to satisfy the depraved curiosity of that same Herod at the time of his trial (Luke 23:9); 4. His old reminder to Pilate that his vaunted authority was both subordinate and temporary (John 19:11); 5. His repeated focus on the kingdom of grace as the higher and ultimate source of legal and social ethics (Matt 5); 6. His emphasis of the freedom of the soul from all coercion as a superior good (Matt 10:28); 7. His counsel on how to assert one’s freedom and one’s dignity by voluntarily doubling the oppressor’s requirements (Matt 5:39-42), and; and, 8. His elimination of the fear of death through the power of the resurrection (John 6:39-40).

Jesus, on politics

Jesus is the ultimate example of a servant leader who sacrifices Himself for His people and becomes the King of Kings ruling over the nations of the world. Jesus got involved with the real world: He stepped out of the safety and glory of heaven to become involved with and to die for an imperfect and sinful world. He came to an oppressed, politically corrupt nation on the edges of the Roman Empire dominated by the world power of the day and “bent”” local politicians. He did not enter a perfect society or just stay where it was clean and tidy and nice and comfortable and where He was honored. He went where it was sinful and where He would be criticized and crucified because that was His calling and mission.

Jesus was subject to temptation but He did not sin. Although He was “tempted in every way as we are,” (Philippians 2:5-11, Hebrews 4:15), He did not sin. Part of this temptation was political temptation—for instance being offered “all the kingdoms of this world and their glory” if He would bow down to Satan (Matthew 4:8,9), and again when people came by force to make Him King (John 6:15). Thus it is not a sin to be subjected to political temptation – as long as you do not bow down to Satan or to the pressure of mob rule.

Jesus commented vigorously on cultural issues; while Jesus did not run for public office, He did take a prophetic stance against the social issues of the day to the point where He was regarded as a major threat to be done away with. He did not just “stick to religion and values” but talked about fair wages, unjust trade, oppression of widows, and the economic injustices and corruption of his day, even overturning the tables of the moneylenders (Matthew 12:40).

Jesus did have a “political agenda” but not one that this world understood. When Pilate asked if Jesus was a King it ended up with him scratching his head and saying “What is Truth?” (John 18:36-39). The rulers of this world completely misread Jesus (1 Corinthians 2:8). Jesus will eventually govern the whole world: Jesus saw Himself as a King whose Kingdom was not of this world (John18:36,37). Revelation gives Him the title “Ruler of the Kings of the Earth” (Revelation 1:5).

His Kingdom would eventually crush all the kingdoms that are of this world (Daniel 2:44, Revelation 2:26,27) which are passing away. 1 Corinthians 2:6-8, 7:31, 1 John 2:17). His Kingdom, however, will last forever (Daniel 2:44). Believers will be co-rulers with Him in this Kingdom (Revelation 2:26,27, Romans 8;17) and will have “cities” to govern (Luke 19:17-19).

(Let me give credit to Calvin Rock and John Edmiston, from whose works, I derived most of the facts for this topic)

For comments, write me at chardgrace@yahoo.com

A Dose of Faith – April 2013

The Lord’s Supper

By Richard G. Mendoza, MPH, PhD

The Lord’s Supper is a participation in the emblems of the body and blood of Jesus as an expression of faith in Him, our Lord, and Savior. In this experience of communion, Christ is present to meet and strengthen His people. As we partake, we joyfully proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes again. Preparation for the Supper includes self-examination, repentance, and confession. The Master ordained the service of foot-washing to signify renewed cleansing, to express a willingness to serve one another in Christ-like humility, and to unite our hearts in love. The communion service is open to all believing Christians (1 Cor. 10:16, 17; 11:23-30; Matt. 26:17-30; Rev. 3:20; John 6:48-63; 13:1-17).

The Celebration of the Lord’s Supper

Among Protestants the most common name for the Communion service is the “Lord’s Supper” (1 Cor. 11:20). Other names are “the table of the Lord” (1 Cor. 10:21, RSV), “the breaking of bread” (cf. Acts 20:7; 2:42) and the Eucharist—a reference to the thanksgiving and blessing aspect of the service (Matt. 26:26, 27; 1 Cor. 10:16; 11:24).

The Meaning of the Lord’s Supper

The Lord’s Supper replaces the Passover festival of the old covenant era. The Passover met its fulfilment when Christ the Paschal Lamb gave His life. Before His death Christ Himself instituted the replacement, the great festival of spiritual Israel under the new covenant. Thus, the roots of much of the symbolism of the Lord’s Supper extend back into the Passover service.

1. Commemoration of the deliverance from sin. As the Passover festival commemorated Israel’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt, the Lord’s Supper commemorates deliverance from spiritual Egypt, the bondage of sin.

The Passover lamb’s blood applied to the lintel and doorposts protected the inhabitants from death; the nourishment its flesh provided gave them the strength to escape from Egypt (Ex. 12:3-8). So Christ’s sacrifice brings liberation from death; believers are saved through partaking of both His body and blood (John 6:54). The Lord’s Supper proclaims that Christ’s death on the cross provided our salvation, provided forgiveness, and guaranteed eternal life.

Jesus said, “’Do this in remembrance of Me’” (1 Cor. 11:24). This ordinance emphasizes the substitutionary dimension of Christ’s atonement. “’This is My body, ‘” Jesus said, “’which is broken for you’” (1 Cor. 11:24; cf. Isa. 53:4-12). At the cross the Innocent was substituted for the guilty, the Righteous for the unrighteous. This magnanimous act satisfied the demands of the law for the death of the sinner, providing forgiveness, peace, and the assurance of eternal life to repentant sinners. The cross removed our condemnation and provided us with the robe of Christ’s righteousness and with the power to overcome evil.

a. The bread and the fruit of the vine. Jesus used many metaphors to teach different truths about Himself. He said: “’I am the door’” (John 10:7), “’I am the way’” (John 14:6), “’I am the true vine’” (John 15:1), and “’I am the bread of life’” (John 6:35). We cannot take any of these expressions literally, for He is not present in every door, way, or vine. Instead, they illustrate deeper truths.

At the time He miraculously fed the 5,000, Jesus revealed the deeper significance of His body and blood. As the true bread, He said, “Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven.”

“For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” Then they said to Him: “Lord, give us this bread always.” And Jesus said to them: “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:32-35). He offered His body and blood to satisfy the hunger and thirst of our deepest needs and desires (John 6:50-54).

The Passover bread Jesus ate was unleavened, and the fruit of the vine unfermented. Leaven (yeast), which produces fermentation that causes bread to rise, was considered a symbol of sin (1 Cor. 5:7, 8), so it was unfit to represent the Lamb “without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:19). Only unleavened or “unfermented” bread could symbolize the sinless body of Christ. Likewise only the unspoiled fruit of the vine—the unfermented wine—appropriately symbolizes the spotless perfection of the cleansing blood of the Savior.

b. The eating and drinking. “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:53, 54).

Eating Christ’s flesh and drinking His blood is symbolic language for the assimilation of the Word of God, through which believers maintain communion with heaven and are enabled to have spiritual life. He said: “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4).

Believers feed on Christ, the bread of life, through partaking of the Word of life—the Bible. With that Word comes Christ’s life-giving power. In the Communion service we also partake of Christ by assimilating His Word through the Holy Spirit. For this reason the preaching of the Word accompanies each Lord’s Supper.

During the Communion service we “bless” the cup (1 Cor. 10:16). This means that as Christ “gave thanks” for the cup (Matt. 26:27), so shall we express gratitude for the blood of Jesus.

2. Corporate communion with Christ. In a world filled with strife and divisiveness, our corporate participation in these celebrations contributes to the unity and stability of the church, demonstrating true communion with Christ and one another. Stressing this communion, Paul said: “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation [or communion] in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation [or communion] in the body of Christ?”

“Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread” (1 Cor. 10:16, 17, RSV).

All church members should participate in this sacred Communion because there, through the Holy Spirit, “Christ meets His people, and energizes them by His presence. Hearts and hands that are unworthy may even administer the ordinances, yet Christ is there to minister to His children. All who come with their faith fixed upon Him will be greatly blessed. All who neglect these seasons of divine privilege will suffer loss. Of them it may appropriately be said, “Ye are not all clean.”

We experience the strongest and deepest sense of community at the Lord’s table. Here, we meet on common ground, with the barriers that separate us broken down. Here, we realize that while in society there is much to divide us, in Christ there is everything necessary to unite us.

3. Anticipation of the Second Advent. “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes” (1 Cor. 11:26). The Communion service spans the interim between Calvary and the Second Advent. It links the cross and the kingdom. It joins the “already” and the “not yet,” which is the essence of the New Testament world view. It holds together the Savior’s sacrifice and His second coming—salvation provided and salvation consummated. It proclaims that Christ is present through the Spirit until He comes visibly.

Christ’s vow, “I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom” (Matt. 26:29), is prophetic. It directs our faith to a future celebration of the Communion meal with our Savior in the kingdom. The occasion is the great festival of the “marriage supper of the Lamb” (Rev. 19:9).

Never was Christ truly greater on earth than on the memorable occasion of the Lord’s Supper, when He took the place of a servant and humbled Himself. Never is Christ greater in heaven than when He ministers to His saints. This is the climactic expectation to which the Lord’s Supper points us, the joy of future glory through a personal fellowship with Christ in His everlasting kingdom.

What I just shared with you are excerpts from the book Seventh-day Adventists Believe and from our church manual with regards to the topic. Quotes are from the Bible and the writings of Mrs. Ellen G. White, one of the church pioneers.

A Dose of Faith – March 2013

Standards of Christian Living

By Richard G. Mendoza, MPH, PhD

The Christian’s life is not a slight modification or improvement, but a complete transformation of nature. This means a death to self and sin and a resurrection to a new life as a new person in Christ Jesus.

The heart of the Christian becomes the dwelling place of Christ by faith. This is brought about by “the contemplation of Christ, beholding Christ, ever cherishing the dear Savior as our very best and honored Friend, so that we would not—in any action—grieve and offend Him”—TM 387. Thus, Christians “have the companionship of the divine presence,” and as we realize that presence, “our thoughts are brought into captivity to Jesus Christ” (TM 388) and our habits are made to conform to the divine standard.

“No part of our conduct escapes observation. We cannot hide our ways from the Most High. Every act, every word, every thought, is as distinctly marked as though there were only one person in the whole world, and the attention of heaven were centered upon him.”—PP 217, 218.

As Christians, we are members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King. Therefore, we should say no word and perform no act that would bring dishonor upon “that noble name by which you are called” (James 2:7). We are reformers. In every phase of life, we should “study carefully the divine-human character and constantly inquire, ‘What would Jesus do were He in my place?’ This should be the measurement of our duty.”—MH 491.

Bible standards and renew allegiance to these God-given principles. We should come up to the high standards of the Christian life and be separated from the world. To this end, we would heed the Lord’s admonition: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15).

Bible study and prayer

Spiritual life is maintained by spiritual food. We must maintain the habit of devotional Bible study and prayer if we are to perfect holiness. In a time when a flood of communication pours forth from the printed page, radio, television, the Internet, and other modern mass media, when thousands of voices plead for a hearing, we must close our eyes and our ears to much that seeks entrance to our minds and devote ourselves to God’s Book, the Book of all books, the Book of life—the Bible. If we cease to be the people of the Book, we are lost, and our mission has failed. Only as we talk daily to God in prayer and listen to His voice can we hope to live the life that is “hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3) and finish His work.

Prayer is a two-way conversation in which we listen to and talk to God. “Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend.”—SC 93. “Through sincere prayer we are brought into connection with the mind of the Infinite,” and “without unceasing prayer and diligent watching we are in danger of growing careless and of deviating from the right path.”— SC 97, 95.

The home is the cornerstone of the Church. A Christian home is a house of prayer. “Fathers and mothers, however pressing your business, do not fail to gather your family around God’s altar. Those who would live patient, loving, cheerful lives must pray.”—MH 393.

Community relationships

While our “citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:20), we are yet in the world as an integral part of human society and must share with our fellow citizens certain responsibilities in the common problems of life. As children of God, wherever we live, we should be recognized as outstanding citizens in our Christian integrity and in working for the common good.

While our highest responsibility is to the Church and the gospel commission, we should support by our service and our means as far as possible, and be consistent with our beliefs and efforts for social order and betterment. Even though we must stand apart from political and social strife, we should always—quietly and firmly—maintain an uncompromising stand for justice and right in civic affairs, along with full adherence to our religious convictions. It is our sacred responsibility to be loyal citizens of the nations to which we belong, rendering “to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matt. 22:21).

Reverence in the place of worship

Christians who appreciate God’s omnipotence, His holiness, and His love will always manifest a spirit of deep reverence for God, His Word, and His worship. “Humility and reverence should characterize the deportment of all who come into the presence of God.”—PP 252. We will recognize that “the hour and place of prayer are sacred, because God is there.”— GW 178. We will come to the house of worship, not carelessly, but in the spirit of meditation and prayer, and will avoid unnecessary conversation.

As parents, we should reverently instruct our children how they should behave in “the house of God” (1 Tim. 3:15). Faithful instruction and discipline of the youth at home, the Sabbath school, and the church (regarding reverence for God and His worship) will go far in holding their loyalty in succeeding years. Pastors, who sense the sacredness of God’s service will, by example, instruction, and conduct in the pulpit, foster reverence, simplicity, good order, and decorum in the church.

What I just shared with you are portions of the standards of Christian living as expounded in our church manual. Quotes are from the Bible and the writings of Mrs. Ellen G. White, one of the church pioneers. Regardless of your religious affiliation, I believe the messages are applicable to you, too. Be blessed!

For comments, write me at chardgrace@yahoo.com

A Dose of Faith – February 2013

Healing Wonders of Love
By Richard G. Mendoza, MPH, PhD

In May 1996, Reader’s Digest featured the story of newborn twin girls who were in separate incubators of a hospital. One was not expected to survive. Going against hospital policy, an insightful nurse placed the ill baby with her sister in one incubator. Very soon, the healthier twin placed her little arm over her sick sister, tenderly embracing her. Not only did the smaller twin’s heart rate stabilized, but her temperature normalized as well! Both babies survived and thrived! As a result, this hospital changed its policy and now puts twins together in the same incubator – warmer, as they were in the womb.

Whoever said, “A hug a day keeps the doctor away” must have understood the power of a hug and a loving touch. They help to take away pain, promote sleep, relieve stress, strengthen family relations, boost the body’s immune system, fight against disease, take away depression and more. Hug as an expression of love, heals.

Many researches have already been done about the healing wonders of love. One study seems to indicate that a lack of love is an almost certain recipe for health problems and early death. A Swedish study followed seventeen thousand men and women aged twenty-nine to seventy-four for six years. Those most lonely and isolated had almost four times the risk of dying prematurely during this period.

A Duke University research led by Dr. Redford Williams, which studied almost fourteen hundred men and women who underwent coronary angiography with severely blocked coronary arteries, found that five years later, 50 percent of those who were unmarried or had no confidant were dead. They were more than three times as likely to have died as those who were married or had a confidant. Other studies indicate that people who are shown affection are less likely to see a doctor or feel sick. They also report a zest for life, love for work, and a sense that their existence is meaningful.

In his book, Love and Survival, Dr. Dean Ornish states, “Our survival depends on the healing power of love, intimacy, and relationships… I have found that perhaps the powerful intervention is the healing power of love and intimacy, and the emotional and spiritual transformation that often result from these. Love and intimacy are at the root of what makes us well, what causes sadness and what brings happiness, what makes us suffer and what leads us to healing.”

It has been said that, “the greatest human need is to be loved”. Once a person feels loved, this produces not only the physical healing but also the emotional healing as well. No one can claim that nobody loves him for there is Someone who loves everyone. He even gave the life of His son to express His love (John 3:16).

I wish I can cite more studies to prove the healing wonders of love, but my column space won’t permit this. So, I will just share with you what I got from the Internet site, Tommy’s Windows. May you experience healing from this message
of God’s love:

A Dose of Faith – January 2013

What Lies Ahead?

By Richard G. Mendoza, MPH, PhD

The year 2012 is a mixture of good and bad events for our country. Better economic growth, fight against corruption, better awareness on health issues, and the passage of beneficial laws are just some of the blessings we’ve received. Pacquiao’s knock-out, the death and destructions brought by typhoon Pablo, unresolved crimes, the high price of goods, and unemployment are a few of the misfortunes. But it’s a good year for us Filipinos in general. Let’s hope and pray that the momentum could be sustained until 2013. May the “daang matuwid” (righteous path) continue to thrive under a lively and vibrant democracy.

But who knows what lies ahead? Definitely not the psychics, whose predictions are based on statistical probability. Nor the card-readers or the self-proclaimed prophets, who make guesses than prophecies and sound more cultic. Only an omniscient being knows the future. The term “omniscient” refers to the all-knowing nature of God. Webster defines it as “the quality of knowing all things at once; universal knowledge; knowledge unbounded or infinite.” Omniscience is the attribute of God by which He perfectly and eternally knows all things which can be known – past, present, and future. He knows our very thoughts, our feelings, our desires and our needs. He knows our words before we say them and he knows our thoughts before we think them. He knows all of our ways. In fact, God even knew us before we were born.

The Bible says: 1.) O Lord, you have searched me and you know me; 2.) You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar; 3.) You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways; 4.) Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord; 5.) You hem me in – behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me; 6.) Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain; 13.) For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb; 14.) I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well; 15.) My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the Earth; 16.) Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalms 139:1-6, 13-16 (NIV)

There are no secrets before the Almighty God. He knows what lies ahead for the world, for our country, for you and me. Through the Bible, in the form of prophecy, God accurately foretells the future. “… I am God and there is none like Me …declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done …” Isaiah 46:9, 10. Yes, as God pulls back the curtain of time, He is giving us a glimpse of the future. Before Babylon reached the height of its power and glory, God in His Book foretold its fall: “And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldeans’ pride, will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.” Isaiah 13:19. The Bible even foretold the power that would overthrow this mighty kingdom. “…The Lord has raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes. For His plan is against Babylon to destroy it…” Jeremiah 51:11

The name of the man who would lead the armies against Babylon was prophesied 150 years before his birth, as was the very way he would do it. “Thus says the Lord to His anointed, to Cyrus … I will … open before him the two leaved gates…” Isaiah 45:1. Were these prophecies fulfilled? To the very letter! In the Persian Hall of the British Museum stands the Cyrus cylinder—discovered in the ruins of Babylon. On this clay cylinder, Cyrus tells of his conquest! The details are accurate! The Bible not only foretold Babylon’s destruction, it further stated: “Babylon shall become heaps …” Jeremiah 51:37

Isaiah wrote: “It shall never be inhabited…but wild beasts of the desert shall lie there … and owls shall dwell there …” Isaiah 13:20, 21

What lies ahead before the second coming of Christ is foretold in the 24th chapter of Matthew. War, famine, pestilence, and natural disasters are some of the signs.

But the Bible does not foretell what will happen specifically to our country this year 2013. But God knows what lies ahead and we don’t. Thus, we can face the future unafraid, if we believe that our life is in His hands.

In the coming year of uncertainty we can only cling to God by faith. This prayer-poem by Martha Snell Nicholson could be our supplication too.

The New Year
Dear Lord, as this new year is born
I give it to thy hand.
Content to walk by faith what paths
I cannot understand.

Whatever coming days may bring
of bitter, or gain.
Or every crown of happiness:
Should sorrow come, or pain.

Or, Lord, if all unknown to me
Thy angel hovers near
To bear me to that farther shore
Before another year.

It matters not,- my hand in Thine,
Thy light upon my face.
Thy boundless strength when I am weak,
Thy love and saving grace!

only ask, loose not my hand,
Grip fast my soul, and be
My guiding light upon the path
Till, blind no more, I see!