No One Dared to Join Them

Acts 5:13-14, "No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people.  Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.

At that time, it was unsafe to join the Church if one is not fully committed to the Way. After what happened to Ananias and Sapphira? No one would dare to pretend or cross the apostles. But verse 14 says, nevertheless they grew more and more as many put their faith in Christ.

The Church today is filled with people who are not committed to Christ. They are there for fun, for short-lived bursts of godliness and feel good moments. This wouldn't happen in the Early Church, after a demonstration of God's holiness in the situation about Ananias and Sapphira, you would be scared to be in a place where God is. I think the problem is we don't have a high standard of commitment and holiness in the body. We have been an "inclusive" community, when if you think about it, Jesus' way was "exclusive". There was a clear line of being inside and outside the community. John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the father except through me. In another part, Jesus says, "If anyone would follow me, he must deny himself, pick-up his cross, and follow me." What would it look like if we are serious about asking people for commitment? ...if we are serious and clear about discipleship (what it looks like to follow Jesus)? I think the same thing will happen just like in the Early Church. With a high standard of commitment to Christ, only the serious followers will follow. No one--those who are playing around, those who are half hearted, people who have a sense of entitlement but without fruit--would dare to join. Sometimes in our effort to win people to the community we try to water down, blur, and lower the bar of discipleship (ie following Christ). Yes, grace is free, but it's priceless. And be careful about making works as a requirement of salvation. But to be a grace-loving, salvation-not-by-works follower without a clear standard of commitment and purity to Christ, something is wrong with that picture.

Of course, no one is more hit by this than myself. Am I a grace-loving, salvation-not-by works follower of Christ with a clear standard of commitment and purity to Christ?  Would I dare to join the body of Christ in those days? Upon this reflection we might decide to do one of these things: flight or fight. Flight: I run away from Christ because I am not ready to make that commitment. Or because I don't think I deserve to be part of a holy community when I am fully aware of my misgivings. Or fight: I will fight my way through this flesh and continue running with the body of Christ, "throwing off everything that hinders and the sin that entangles, and run the race marked out for us." I will fight for my right as a child of God, saved by grace in Christ. I will be strong and courageous, though at honestly at times I am not; but I can be strong and courageous because Christ called me to be one. Many people lack the courage to stay the path these days. It's celebrated when people quit and "follow their hearts". But only few have the courage to stay, brave the storm, and win the prize... "the prize that Christ has called me heavenward."
 

Strange But Unique


I find any communication of a non-mathematical nature very difficult. Because I don't talk much, people think I don't have anything to say or I am stupid. And that's not true. I have lots of things to to say. I'm just afraid to say them. I know that I'm strange in a lot of ways. I think I see the world in a different way to other people. I've been always like that.

Kuya Sur's Birthday


Today I went to Kuya Sur's 40th birthday celebration at ICS. It was a triple celebration as well because its also the celebration of Kuya Sur and Ate Chai's wedding anniversary and his 20th year in the ministry.

The evening was a great time of meeting good friends and colleagues in the ministry, all somehow touched by the life of this one man. I remember meeting this guy back in 2003 at the STDC Convention in Caliraya. I was 22 then, a youth leader, and I was at the point of trying to find out God's call for my life. He connected me to AIYS where I received a confirmation of my call, became classmates in the campus ministry track. And after that event he spent countless times with me, mentoring and guiding me as I journey into ministry life. And here I am 12 years later, serving along with this man of vision, wisdom, and perseverance, qualities of him I dreamed of seeing in my life as well.

Hearing his testimony tonight about how the Lord has been good to him since he met Jesus when he was 11. I can't help but be amazed at how God truly can use individuals who are willing to be used by Him.

Some reflections:

We are part of God's movement. It was inspiring to see and meet Kuya Sur's mentor and discipler who called him to follow Jesus at the age of 11 in Cavite. I am where I am because someone invested their lives in me, and someone invested their lives in them. And if we traced it back to the one who started the movement, it's Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. It's not about us, but it's about Jesus and the movement He started. The moment we start "building our own monuments" like King Saul is the moment we deteriorate as a movement maker.

One act of obedience can make significant waves in God's kingdom. I'm thankful that when God called Kuya Sur into the ministry he obeyed and gave his life to Him. Because if he didn't obey, we wouldn't be here. It's amazing how one act of obedience can set right the course of many others. Last Friday I shared in my sermon a quote from Elizabeth Elliot about obedience:

“Does it make sense to pray for guidance about the future if we are not obeying in the thing that lies before us today? How many momentous events in Scripture depended on one person's seemingly small act of obedience! Rest assured: Do what God tells you to do now, and, depend upon it, you will be shown what to do next.” ― Elisabeth Elliot, Quest for Love: True Stories of Passion and Purity

If you fail, stand up and walk again. One of the touching moments of Kuya's speech was when he honored his long time friend. He says that at one moment in his life when he felt such a failure, this friend encouraged him that when we fail, we don't just remain a failure, but we stand up and walk again (or something like that). Thank God for friends who lift you up in your darkest moments. Just like the song that says, "a thousand times I've failed, still Your mercy remains," God's mercy and grace is enough for us not to give up, but to stand up, dust off yourself, and walk again, fixing our eyes on Jesus.

Day in the Life: Toledo City

It's almost 8am today in Toledo City. This is the 2nd day of our Cebu-Dumagete visit for Chi Alpha. I thank God for His protection and strength.

Yesterday, we arrived in Mactan airport around 6:30AM. Ptr. Paul and his wife Ate Lovely were so gracious to pick us up and have breakfast together. After dropping Ate Love to her office (it's still a workday for the working people despite the EDSA holiday), we picked up Ptr. Rodel and went to Toledo City, our first stop of the trip.

Breakfast fellowship with Ptr. Paul and Ate Love Mongas.


Finding Forever



(Finding Forever was the theme of this year's hearts event at Chi Alpha UBelt. Below is a summary of my talk I gave on that event.)

It seems that many people are looking for forever these days. Well perhaps because of the fad TV primetime soap these days that spawned into various “forever”-themed Valentines events this year. What is forever anyway? Google says forever can mean “for all future time; for always,” “continually,” or “lasting or permanent.” We use forever in a relational context to mean a long, happy, and blissful loving relationship between two people.

Who Do You Say I Am?



Last Life Gathering at XA U-Belt I shared about the passage in Matthew 16:13-19 where Jesus asks his disciples who they think he really is. Jesus’ true identity has been a subject of debate for centuries, and it hasn’t change until today. Who really Jesus? But the more important question that Jesus poses to the disciples, as well as to each of us is this: “Who do you say I am?” Let’s dive into the story.

THE WORLD’S OPINION

Jesus takes his disciples in the region of Caesarea Philippi (v. 13), recently renamed after the Roman Caesar. It was once called Panaea after the Greek god Pan who was worshiped there by the people. And it is in this place that Jesus chooses to disclose His true identity.

He asks his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”  I don’t think Jesus was fishing for the latest buzz about him. He’s up to something. And they replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets” (v. 14). 

The world has varying opinions about who Jesus is. It’s like asking 10 people one question and getting 10 different answers from them. Some people believe that Jesus was just a man; that he was a good man, a good teacher, or even a powerful prophet. Others believe that Jesus is a god; that he is just one of the many gods or that there’s a more powerful god other than him. Still others reject the idea that God exists at all.

Day in the Life: Our 5th Wedding Annivesary

Today is our 5th wedding anniversary. How time flies so fast. And tonight as I reflect about it all I can think of is how blessed I am, for giving me a lovely and caring wife, best-friend, and partner in ministry and life.

It's an interesting series of events leading to today as we planned for our wedding celebration. Last year, we've already been wanting to watch the Beauty and the Beast musical at CCP when it was promoted. We were dreaming about it, hoping that one day we will do our first musical experience. January came in, and as our anniversary came closer we started researching about it. The price was quite steep for first timers like us. But thank God for His provisions, we purchase our ticket.

Then came tha Papal Visit. We learned that major roads near CCP will be closed because the Pope will be in the area the same day (MOA). So in order to avoid the traffic, we opted to stay at a hotel nearby. So we book it. And we thought all is set.

Pure Compassion

How do you respond to unfavorable situations? Do you react in anger (fight-mode) or fear (flight mode) without thinking through? Are you easily provoked?

In Matthew 14, evil king Herod brutally murders Jesus' cousin, John the baptist. "When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick" (v. 13-14). Jesus could've easily sent them away, or he could have left them, take an AWOL and go somewhere else to mourn. Or he could easily provoke them to start a rebellion. But he responded in pure COMPASSION.

If you think about it, putting aside your personal feelings to first meet the needs of others is quite a sacrifice. But Jesus didn't only put the feelings aside, but whatever he was feeling then, it turned into compassion the moment he saw those who were in need. Now that's SUPERNATURAL. Only the love of the Father that is in Him can do that. Only an intimate experience of God's unconditional love can provide that kind of security and ability to see the needs of others and then respond with compassion. When God's love is in us, nothing is impossible. When God's love brims from our hearts, it can overflow in ways that can touch the lives of others.

That makes me worship Jesus all the more, and aspire to be like Him. #TAWG

The Lord is our banner

What a wonderful revelation by God to us that He is our banner, Jehovah Nissi (Exodus 17:15). Whenever armies go to war, the banner serves as a visual reminder of His guiding presence.




Bible Gateway commentary reads, "The Lord is my banner. The Hebrew word translated “banner” underlies “staff” in v. 9 and is used for the “pole” on which the bronze serpent was later placed (Num. 21:8). Since “banner” suggests cloth to us, this connection is lost. A spear could serve as a standard in battle, with or without bits of cloth tied to it. Later, a staff might have a device on it to mark the rallying point for troops. In the ancient world, these were sometimes images or signs of the gods. Moses’ staff is the ensign to which Joshua’s army could look and that symbolized God’s saving power. Moses declares that God Himself is the Standard, the Ensign of His people."
For me, our Lord our banner reminds me of these things:

1. We are at war - As believers in the world, we are at war, with the enemy, sin and its effects. Paul says that we are at war against spiritual forces of evil (2 Corinthians 10:3, Ephesians 6:12), but Christ has equipped us with "the spiritual armor of God" that can "demolish strongholds" (Ephesians 6:13-17).

2. The Banner represents whose kingdom we belong - The banner represents whose kingdom we belong. As believers we belong to the kingdom of God.

3. The Banner rallies us forward - The banner serves as the rallying point for troops to advance toward enemy lines. As believers Jehovah Nissi gives us the confidence to face every battle in faith and victory.

4. The Banner restores our strength - In the midst of the battle, the banner reminds us of our identity and purpose. When we are overwhelmed with life's challenges, we look to Jesus, as the source of our strength, identity, and purpose. In the book of Songs, Christ's (represented by the lover pursuing his beloved) banner over us is love (Songs 2:4). His love us the strongest force that motivates us to do His will.

5 Leadership and spiritual insights from Exodus 17:8-15

Someone cautiously observed that after victory comes adversity. And this is true with the Israelites, they just experienced a dramatic victory over the Egyptians. And as they continue to travel through the desert en route to the Promise Land, soon the experience another attack this time from the Amalekites. Moses deploys young Joshua and his men to fight, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up a hill to find a bird's-eye view of the battle. And as long as Moses held up his staff with his hands, they are winning. They held on until victory was won that day. Here are 5 leadership and spiritual insights we as leaders can glean from this story.

1. Successful leaders provide leadership and spiritual insight especially in times of crisis (v. 9). When war broke out, Moses provided leadership. He assumed full responsibility for his people. As leaders, we are to provide leadership and direction for the people we lead, especially in times of crisis. We do not anymore make decisions that is only for our own good, but for the good of the body. Moses most importantly provided spiritual insight over the crisis. Christian leaders are first kingdom servants. We do not lead on our own, but we follow and wait upon the Master's orders. That's why it is very important for us to be faithfully connected to God in Word and prayer, because God communicates His visions and plans through His faithful servants.