If you saw the latest Idol episode this will be very funny ...

From pasture to palace

2 Samuel 7:8-9, "I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people ... I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make you a great name, like the names of the great men who are on the earth ..."

When I was young I sought to be in places where I could serve You, but today I feel like I am being thrusted to places of influence I never have imagined. I am thrusted fearful yet trusting. For it is only by the work of Thy hands that I am here. You are great, awesome and faithful. Be glorified in my life. Indeed Your words do not fail even time immemorial when You have called me to serve You. During my days in bible school your faithfulness to uphold me by Your timely provisions and quiet assurance have been faultless. And now by giving me such a loving, caring and faithful spouse and partner in ministry. Indeed You are forever faithful. Today more than ever before I embrace who You have made me to be. Therefore I will celebrate before You. Let me be humbled in my own eyes. May Your name forever be praised.

Caleb

Tonight I was reminded again of God's faithfulness.

"During the forty years that I led you through the desert, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet ... I did this so that you might know that I am the Lord your God" (Deut 29:5-6)

I was reminded of this verse tonight. When a friend who works in the same field as mine shared how his notebook has finally exhausted itself after three years of hardwork, and he is thinking of already buying a new one. Then I thought about my ASUS laptop that has stood its ground for almost�five years�now. Many projects have been created through this notebook and it's still ready to work even today. One of many unexplicable situations in my life that I give God credit for. I know that until my new laptop comes, this old friend will continually be sustained and blessed by the Lord. Today I'm calling him Caleb (Joshua 14:10-11).�

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." (Psalm 20:7)

2 Samuel 7

2 Samuel 7:2 & 27, "I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within tent curtains ... I will build you a house ..."

Because of David's gratitude for what the Lord has done in his life, he decides to honor God by building Him a permanent house (temple). And by that honorific gesture God honored David, establishing his kingly lineage forever. Such a wild ambition and expansive thought, simple and childlike but overflows deep within the man after God's own heart. David thought of building God a house and He honored it.�

How far am I willing to go for God? How wild of an exploit would I do for Him? Who am I, Lord, that Thou art mindful of me? May I honor you with my life, with my heart, mind and hands. I want to please You in every way. You know Lord that my life is in Your hands. Do to it whatever pleases You.

2 Samuel

6:7, "And the anger of the Lord burned against Uzzah and God struck him there for his irreverence ..."

Uzzah was struck because the ark nearly slipped from the cart and he took hold of it. Israel chose to put it on a cart rather than moving it the right way which should be by carrying it by poles and on the shoulder. Such is the repercussions when we mishandle the holiest things of God. Mishandling the Word of God. Mishandling His bountiful grace by taking it for granted. His holy presence descending in our worship. Lord, forgive me when I mishandle Your precious gifts, for "every good thing comes from" You.

Mark 16:15-18 (April 28)

Lord, where are you taking me? Last Sunday I felt irked by the mediocrity of what we do. I felt that I don't fit in. Is this a right feeling? Are you preparing me for a new chapter in my life? Lord, may I be ready when that kairos moment comes.

San Jose

This was an entry I wrote during my stay in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro last April:

I came to San Jose hopeful. But when I arrived there I noticed that the place was dry, hot and dusty--almost like a ghosttown, a god-forsaken land. Going around my convictions grew stronger. The young people when they get past high school would migrate to greener pastures, and some when they get past college would find work in Manila. I began to feel discouraged and hopeless for this place. But the last night God spoke to me as we worship as I seek a word from Him. "I love them too, just as I love the young people of Manila, I love them too. And you ought to serve them just as my Son humbled himself for their redemption." I asked God for forgiveness for being proud--the pride from the thought of coming from a more prestigious city, of being given more privileges and opportunities. God called me to be the servant of them, to wash their feet. That night I preached and by altar call, heavy rain poured down (after weeks of no rain they said). And so it rained during our commissioning time. God showed me that evermore nothing is impossible. He is always there.

Judges 12

Judges 12:5, "And it happened that when any of the fugitives of Ephraim said, 'Let me cross over' the men of Gilead would say to him, 'Are you an Ephraimite?' If he said no, then they would say to him 'say now shibboeth', but he said 'sibboleth' for he could not pronounce it correctly. Then they seized him and slew him ..."

Just as everyone who wishes to cross-over to heaven's gates, we ought to be found pronouncing our allegience with utmost loyalty according to God's standards. Can our mouths profess that "Jesus is Lord"? Lord--that indeed He is Lord in my early life and that I have loved him and obeyed him faithfully?

Sleeping and waking up early

I have noticed for the past three days I have been sleeping early and waking up involuntary early. I have noticed it because I use to endure sleepless nights. But now it's like my body clock has moved a few notches up. And the people I know who have early body clocks are old people. My parents dozes between 9-11PM and wakes up like 5AM. Ptr. Galin, our host in Mindoro, a 70-plus old pastor (but still strong for his age) said he and her wife gets like two hours of sleep and don't feel any tireness because you get like that when you grow older they say.

BFGFC Youth Leaders Retreat Praise Report

Just came back from our youth leaders overnight retreat at Valenzuela Full Gospel Family Center. Though it was a just an overnight retreat, God did not fail to move in our midst that it's as if we stayed there for a few days already. Our retreat coincided with VFGFC's 2nd year anniversary where Rev. Gerry Cruz, District Superintendent of Southern Tagalog District Council encouraged the body. After the anniversary celebration, the youth leaders stayed in Valenzuela for our retreat. We were also joined by some youth leaders from Valenzuela. Here are some highlights and reflections:

Evening session at 9PM. I led the devotion on the evening session. I shared to the group about the value of finishing strong. I contrasted the life of Samson and Samuel, both anointed with power, but the first had some issues with self-control (his weakness was women) and focus and the latter finished his life with flying colors. It's a constant challenge to us as leaders to be always connected to the source and finish this life race strong. I led the team to focus on what could be Samuel's famous words: "Speak Lord, for thy servant is listening."

After the short sharing, we started to pray for baptism in the Holy Spirit and praise God two youth leaders were baptized for the first time. Others were likewise refilled. It was indeed an awesome time praising and worshiping God. 

Seeing younger people get baptized and refilled I told the leaders that this is why we exist as leaders: to lead the next generation of youth to a passionate relationship with Jesus Christ. I also reminded all of us that such experience follows a PURPOSE--and that is Acts 1:8, "and you will be my witnesses ..." Experience without fulfilling the purpose (just for the sake of a feel-good experience) is incomplete and vain. The Holy Spirit empowers us for service and witness.

We ended at around 12MN and it was just then that we had our dinner--communion style. After that we rested for tomorrow's continuation.

Morning 7AM. I was amazed to wake up that most of the leaders are awake doing personal morning devotion. We had breakfast of hot pandesal and Dairy Cream courtesy of VFGFC's local pastors Ptr. Jess and Ptr. Jeiho. After breakfast we proceeded to our team building activity--an affirmation activity of sorts which brought out a lot of tearful appreciations and thanks from each other, it was truly an honest moment. The activity took more time than expected but it was okay. 

I shared my reflection to the group. That I was reminded of Rahab the prostitute in the book of Joshua who aided the spies to hand over the win over their city. That with what seem to be a small act of faith Rahab was able to cross-over to God's side and made a difference. We seem to lose sight of her for the rest of the OT books, but come the Gospel of Matthew we see Rahab as part of the lineage of great men who have walked the earth: King David and Jesus Christ. I relate this to our service to the Lord, that sometimes we think our part seems small and even at times looks unfruitful, but if we would just see the big picture and look closely, we are part of the tapestry of God's story. Seeing that my influence as a servant of God has already rippled through four generations, and remembering the people who discipled me to be the Christ-follower that I am today (Ptr. Jess Tomagan & Ptr. Sur del Rosario), I am filled with thanksgiving and the more encouraged to invest on lives of youth and become part of His story.

After everyone was able to affirm and be affirmed, we worshipfully proceeded to a foot-washing ceremony (preceded by a reading from Philippians 2 and John 13), remembering Christ's example of being a servant-leader, it was truly a moving experience as some had just experienced this for the first time. After that we proceeded to our afternoon intercession.

It was a short-retreat, but so full of learning experience and uplifting. I am more convinced that venues, number of days, number of people, or even speakers-- is not the primary factor for a revival, but when hungry hearts together aligned to a single cry and desperation for God. 

Looking forward to our next retreat in November. :)