– A Devotional From Pastor Ilagan (Matt. 5:1-12; Luke 6:20-23) I have a pastor-friend who tells me that whenever someone greets him with the usual “How are you?” his response is: “I am blessed! Thank you!” The response sounds “too religious” to me. I would not Read More …
“For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power and the glory forever. Amen!” Matthew 6:13 I am often moved by these words of praise that conclude the Lord’s Prayer. This is not to say that the petitions in the Prayer are less moving or less Read More …
AND DELIVER US FROM EVIL (Mt. 6:13b) by Emmanuel N. ILAGAN Another translation of the verse is “Deliver us from the Evil One”, namely the devil. The apostle Peter attests to the reality of the devil as he advises the believers who were exiled in Read More …
Lead Us Not into Temptation (Sixth Petition of the Lord’s Prayer – Matt. 6:13) This familiar wording of the sixth petition can be misleading. It seems to imply that God may actually lead us into temptation and therefore we have to plead that God Read More …
“Forgive Us Our Trespasses” Matt. 6:12a –A Second Look– “It is easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission.” I heard this slogan for the first time early in my career from a young office mate who attended an expensive, boys-only Read More …
“Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” (Matt. 6:12) “Do I forgive someone who has sinned (trespassed) against me but who has not asked for my forgiveness?” Some of us have probably struggled with this question, especially if Read More …
“OUR FATHER, WHO ART IN HEAVEN” (The Lord’s Prayer is one of the great treasures of the Church that the Lord Jesus has given us. Translated into various languages, it transcends denominational boundaries and reminds Christians that though we are many, we are one in Read More …
By Pr. Emmanuel N. ILAGAN It was the third day after the crucifixion of Jesus and two of His disciples were walking the seven miles from Jerusalem to the obscure village of Emmaus. They were sad and depressed as they discussed what had happened in Read More …
By Pr. Emmanuel N. ILAGAN (Inspired by a sermon of the same title attributed to African-American Baptist preacher S.M. Lockridge; also cited by pastor and author Tony Campolo.) It’s Friday… Jesus has been betrayed by one of his closest friends. The Jewish Council has Read More …
By Pr. Emmanuel N. ILAGAN — A couple of weeks ago a group of us shared a farewell meal with a common friend. She had lived, worked and made friends in the Dallas, Texas area for many years. She loved her job and had hoped Read More …