purpose

It's a detailed description of why you think, talk and act the way you do. If your thoughts, words and actions do not adhere to a definite end goal in life...then what's your purpose in living? Purpose comes from a belief system where our norms and standards are founded upon. What we have accumulated in our hearts through the years of obedience or discipline has contributed to our belief system.

A definite purpose will help you through times of frustrations and disappointments. It may not ease the pain or relieve the heart ache, but it will give clarity on why you have to go through the unfairness of life. There will come a time where you will question your career path or your ministry obligations...you'll look back and ask yourself if it was worth the effort. But all of those doubts will soon be cleared when you reassess your defined purpose.

If you know what you are supposed to do in life...then I salute you. Few people are given the privilege of a clear path in life. But if you're still lost and unaware of the path you need to take...then don't fret...you are not alone. One thing we all have to do is NOT LET GO OF WHAT WE BELIEVE. In the end...God will work on what you have and what we are willing to offer. A personal sense of destiny is not easily attained...it's an accumulation of positive volition towards God and His word that will bring us to a state of peace, contentment and purpose.

Pray for me...as I reassess my purpose in life.

Lord, I'm trying

Lord I hate this feeling of worthlessness...when everything I've accomplished in life never did amount to anything substantial. All along, I thought that I'm half way to my goals in life when in reality I'm still at the starting line. I'm mentally burned out, emotionally unstable, physically worn out, spiritually confused and no one cares. I'm struggling to keep things together for the sake of the people I love, but deep inside I know that I'm about to snap and lose it. I'm grumpy and insensitive...and I'm sorry Lord...but I'm trying.

I find people very irritating...i find them unreasonable and selfish and unfair! I hate the fact that they have the same stinking attitude that I possess...therefore I hate myself and what I've turned into. I lack grace, I withhold mercy and I cut back on impersonal love...I'm sorry Lord...I'm really trying.

I still love teaching...I do...I love the fact that You are real Lord...that Your word is true! It's the only thing in my life that makes sense at the moment...I can never let go of teaching...but the lessons You've been teaching through me are too hard...I've been failing in most of them...and yet You still let me teach. I'm such a failure...I'm sorry Lord, I'm trying.

Lord...I'm lost...I have no idea what You're planning...You know my heart...I'm sorry for doubting or questioning you...I know I'm weak...but Lord, I'm trying.

the fact of abundance VS the myth of scarcity

Had a great time teaching at our midweek service. For those who missed it, here are the major points!

• Abundance was generously expressed during creation and continued throughout history

o   Genesis 1 - "Be fruitful and increase in numbers" can be noted all throughout

o   Psalm 104 - a recognition of God's abundance in creation

o   Psalm 150 - a recognition of God's goodness to show His abundance

• Scarcity was introduced in the Bible when Pharaoh dreamed about a coming famine

o   Up until that time, blessing was the order of the world.

o   Genesis 47:13 - "There was no food...the famine was severe"

o   Geneses 47:19 - Desperate people gave in to scarcity and offered themselves as collateral to gain food

• The world's scarcity will never affect God's abundance

o   Genesis 47:27 - "They...were fruitful and increased greatly in number"

o   Exodus 1:7 - "But the Israelites were fruitful and multiplied greatly and became exceedingly numerous."

• God's abundance is a threat to people who are mentally scarce

o   Exodus 1:9-10 - "Look...the Israelites has become too numerous...we must deal shrewdly with them!"

o   Exodus 1:15-22 - Pharaoh tried to limit God's abundance to meet his level of scarcity.

• The absolute truth of God's abundance will always prevail

o   Exodus 12:32 - after the final plague (taking of the first born) Pharaoh urges the Israelites to leave and bless him as they move out.

• Our everyday Christian life is an ongoing battle between the absolute fact of God's abundance versus the myth of scarcity.

o   Mark 6:30-44 - The disciples witnessed the miraculous feeding of Five thousand people with a couple of small fishes and 5 loaves of bread.

o   Mark 8:1-3 - The disciples failed to apply God's abundant provision in the same situation

•  Acknowledging God's abundance is a well balanced spiritual life

o   We have a responsibility to work AND believe that God will provide for our needs

o   We must act on a situation AND understand that God will have the final say

• Contentment is the mental attitude that will compliment God's abundance

o   Philippians 4:11-13 - Apostle Paul learned that the secret in being content is understanding the Deity Who is providing you strength!

nothing to offer

That's what I feel right now.

I have surrendered my life to God...but never expected this much life altering tests in such short intervals. But then I should have understood that His ways are not my ways and His thoughts are not my thoughts. He has His own timetable...and once we surrender to His ultimate authority, then we are bound to be a part of His vast imagination. Right now, I feel that God has me right where He wants me...helpless and broken.

God was never interested in what we can offer nor in what we can contribute. Compared to His glory, our righteousness will just seriously cramp His style. It's like waxing a Ferrari with honey...it may be sweet and pleasant but it will definitely ruin the car. Sometimes it's better to just give up and let God. I know it's hard...believe me...It's detestable in all aspects! But from where I am now emotionally and spiritually, I have to let God move me.

I'm not bitter nor angry...I'm just exhausted and emotionally drained...but surprisingly happy. So Lord, let's do this...I'm empty and ready!

incorruptible crown

Our church is almost done with our Daily Vacation Bible School (DVBS) and let me just state for the record on how proud I am with our young people and volunteers...they have conquered Sariaya, they have overtaken Las Pinas...and now for our last stop, Paranaque! Our young people have shared their all to their students...they have done a great job in sowing the gospel seed into the hearts of the kids...let us continue to water them with unconditional love and fervent prayers.

Volunteering for an evangelistic event like DVBS is not an easy task. This is not a paid event where you are compensated with money...this is something even bigger that any substantial amount. Your decision to genuinely help out and be used by God will be replaced with something incorruptible...something eternal in value. I like how the Apostle Paul said it in one of his epistles...he stated that runners run the race to gain something that will never last...but we, as believers, run a different race with a different prize. We do it for a higher purpose!

In two weeks time, the DVBS fever will be finished and long gone. I pray that the lives we touch during these events will gain the opportunity to grow in God's grace. I hope and pray, that the kids we ministered to during this week will be used by God for his own glory. Let's run this race with a perspective of eternity...run for an incorruptible crown! 

a commitment to integrity

A believer that follows Jesus is expected to be at par with His integrity...but that's not always the case. We are fallen creatures with sin centered intentions with our everyday interactions. Integrity is a far fetched idea and nearing its extinction. Nothing in us can ever produce perfect righteousness and perfect justice...we just don't have it in us. Therefore, integrity is just a big word that people seldom use to show the vastness of their vocabulary. But what is integrity?

A pastor-teacher in our church said it this way, "integrity is what you do when people are not looking!" Your thoughts, speech and actions when you are alone simply shows the character of your soul...your integrity. Is it really that simple? yup...but acquiring integrity is a different league in itself. When we are alone, the only authority we submit to that is divinely instituted is our free will...and our volition submits under the stored norms and standards that our conscience holds. Our choices are based on whatever standards we have acquired in our daily living. If our lives are spent conforming and compromising, then our conscience will retain the same standard...that's why we are commanded to do the exact opposite in Romans 12:2.

True integrity is based on something that is absolute and perfect. God is the only stable being who is absolute and perfect...therefore, God is the source of our integrity. But who can know the mind of God? That's what Paul rhetorically asked the people in Corinth...of course the answer is obvious! God has provided His word that prophets and apostles consistently marketed...acquiring wisdom begins with respect and acknowledgement of God's Word as the authority.

Integrity is the heart of every spiritual know-how that we intend to apply. It is the most important element in our relationships. It is the common ground of impersonal love. Never underestimate the importance of Integrity. Let us commit ourselves to integrity.

regret

It's the most paralyzing word that has stopped dreams and aspirations from flourishing. It has the power to bring down self esteem and confidence in an instant. It is promoted by fear and backed up by self-pity. It is an irreversible reality of life...don't dwell on them.

Everybody has their own share of stupidity in this world. Others contribute more than what is expected...and that's the sad truth about our fallen nature. Sometimes when we look back at a situation in our lives, we see a clearer and better option that we were not aware of at that moment...then we ask "if only"...the unending question that has no definite answer.

Regret is not a spontaneous emotion...it's the accumulation of feelings attributed to dissatisfaction in life. This feeling of dissatisfaction may come from envy or bitterness or whatever mental attitude sins you are prone to. If you lack the integrity to be content in what you have or in what situation you are in, then regret will be shadowing you...waiting for the opportune time to strike.

Regret is also the non-acceptance of grace. You may have done something in the past that has hurt or severed relationships and your melancholic self has that moment of you life set to replay. You are constantly in agony, regretting every thought, word and action attributed in that specific time in your life. You want it to stop...you want the agony to end...but you always think about it.

Apostle Paul took upon himself the title of being the chief sinner. Persecuting the church age believers before being involved in the movement. He must have a lot of things to regret...and I'm sure that sometimes he does, that's why in his letter to the church in Philipi, he said "My brethren, I do not consider myself to have obtained it, but I know one thing: I have forgotten that which is behind me and I reach out before me," (Phil 3:13). He admits the reality of being human and still not obtaining maturity, but he is learning to let go of the past and move forward.

Life will dish out unreasonable things at us where we are required to choose between two unlikely options. Unfairness will always exist in this world...and we are not exempted. We may even be an instrument of injustice  and not know it...but that's life. We have to accept the reality that these things happen for a purpose...and the only one I can think of is to see the glory of God in showing mercy and grace.

remnants of a melancholic

The quietness of the evening brings back unwanted memories in my head. Idiotic situations brought about by my immaturity pops out best during depressing moods.   Pessimism becomes a strange addiction overnight. These are the remnants of a melancholic.

moving out

Have you ever been stuck in a very comfortable sitting position that it kinda sucks getting up or even moving a bit? That's what I feel right now. I've been searching for the sweetest spot of my life...and now that I've found it and said "Yes Lord, this is what i want to do" God suddenly answers..."ok...move out of there!"

HUH!?!

It ain't fair! After all the hustling and praying and soul searching, it finally came down to moving out...that's just cruel! This better be a joke God, cause it sure ain't funny. Why do you have to rain on my parade? why do you have to pull the curtains before the best part of my life...

Sounds familiar? Going through the same dilemma? Experiencing the same struggle? Well...don't let your natural, whining, self get the better of you...it won't do you any good...trust me...I KNOW! There will be times when moving out is the best thing for you. If you believe that God is sovereign and righteous and omnipotent...then you better understand that He knows pretty well what is best for you. You may not see it now...but God will certainly lead you to a place where the grass is sufficient for you. It may not be greener than your previous pasture...but it will be all you will need.

Lord...I pray today for the person reading this post of mine...he/she might be struggling with something...I pray Lord that you lead him/her to the place of grace and mercy...where abundance is not found in quantity but in the quality of life. Thank you for the opportunity of reaching out to them and sharing with them a part of You in me...In Jesus' most precious name...AMEN!

even Judas was loved

"The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born" Mark 14:21 (NIV)


"How Cruel!" you might say. How can Jesus, an advocate of life, ever wish for someone not be granted life? This passage was part of the scripture reading from our church's commemoration of the Lord's Supper last night. When I got to this part, I tried to put on Judas' shoes (or sandals) and tried to see what kind of response would he have given after hearing Jesus hint about things to come. Especially if he was playing the kiss and tell part.

It must have been hard for Judas to keep a straight face right after Jesus spoiled his plan. What was Jesus thinking? Why did he keep it a blind item from the other apostles? Some people say that Judas played a vital role on Christ fulfilling the scriptures...did he? really? well...here's what I think!

The first part of the verse is like an assurance that the plan will push through as it was prophesied before ("The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him...") This validates the sovereignty of God...once it is planned by God, it will be accomplished. Even if Judas did not betray Jesus, the plan of salvation will still take effect...the sins of the world will be paid and God's justice will be satisfied. I believe that even if Judas changed his mind and chose to believe in Jesus, the pharisees will not stop until Jesus is killed! Judas chose the path of unbelief and he was pitied.

"...But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man!..." I believe that Jesus was not being sarcastic at this point. He was genuinely concerned and showed love by indirectly telling Judas "hey...i know you're gonna turn me over...why won't you ever believe that I'm the Messiah?" Can you imagine witnessing so much miracles coming from Jesus, a minute by minute encounter with God in human form, and free life lessons from the great Teacher and still deny? Woe to that man indeed.

And finally we get to the last part of the verse "...It would be better for him if he had not been born." Have you ever said that? have you been so pissed at somebody that you have thought about this phrase or even said it out loud? Well...don't think that this verse gives you every right to be God...because you're not and Jesus is! His spiritual discernment is above everyone. From His standpoint of compassion, he understood that if Judas would not come to repentance, it's better if he was not even born. I don't think Jesus said it with hate...Jesus was merely giving Judas a second chance to listen and assimilate the things he has been witnessing. There was still time...but we all know what happened next.

Everyone on earth is given a chance to have faith in the one true God. No one is born for hell...there's always a chance to escape the fire. The love of God is so unconditional and impersonal that no one is exempted. So if you think that an enemy of yours is not worthy of heaven...think again! because even Judas was loved.

the attitude of service

Working is not automatically equal to serving. Compensation is the very motivation of work. Compassion, on the other hand, is the heart of service. Sometimes, we start off serving in a company and end up working a daily mundane routine. It is but normal to get tired of doing the same thing over and over again...we are still human...but staying unmotivated for a long time will result to a degradation in the attitude of service. We have to remind ourselves of the main reason we have been serving.

Selfishness is the arch-nemesis of service...it breeds arrogance, pride and all sorts of filthy attitudes of the mentality.  We are prone to be selfish...but still capable of service. We have to take hold of our selfish desires and think of others first. We have to make an effort in dismissing the "ME FIRST" attitude. We have to learn humility.

Humility is the close ally of service. As a close friend and great musical man of God by the name of Rev. Danny Thomas once said, "Humility is not putting yourself down, it's pushing others up!" Service works the same way, you uplift people...you connect with them...you ask and try to understand where they are coming from. We have to set aside our own opinions and preferences and make way for what others has to say.

Service is not that hard to understand...that's why I don't get it when people still screw this one simple thing up! Maybe I'm just being judgmental, or maybe people are just too stupid and arrogant to realize this...whatever it is...as a Christian, there is no reason why we can not serve.

holy weak

We can never enter a state of holiness with what we can offer. We do not have enough will-power or even spiritual know-how to convert our own righteousness as worthy of being set apart. Our standards never did reach the perfect list of God's goodness. Even our good works are considered filthy and unacceptable. How then can we be holy? how can we ever set ourselves apart?

Forget about showy penance and overt acts of physical sacrifices...never in all eternity will God consider our empty pageantry of good works to be sufficient in satisfying His perfect justice. Our arrogance, of insisting that God favors our offerings as acceptable, precedes our inevitable downfall. You cannot veer from the absolute standards of God. He has given the law, not because He sees the potential of man living up to it, but because He wants us to accept the hopelessness we are born in to. We are sinful creatures...we are born with a disease that corrupts us from the inside out. A sickness that leads to death. But because Holy and Righteous God cannot withhold His abundant and overflowing expression of love and grace...He has provided a way...the only way...to regain this relationship and fellowship we humans once enjoyed during the time of Adam and Eve in the cool of the day. And His decision of giving up His only Son, the unique virgin born Son of God, was not based on our holiness...but on His own perfect integrity!

The week of holiness has come and we Filipinos celebrate a portrayal of Christ's suffering, death and resurrection. But never ever think that imitating Christ's suffering will garner you plus points. Because it is never in our strength or endurance where God will reveal himself. It's during those times where we admit that we are weak and helpless that God would make us see, hear and feel His holiness!