No Ordinary Day

So last week, I attended our church’s National Cell (Small Group) Leader’s Summit in Marikina City. The summit aims to gather all the leaders in our ministry from the different parts of the country to encourage everyone to continue in our walk with God and in our personal ministry to accomplish the vision entrusted to us. I believe God has really chosen this Church for me, so when I first learned about the vision that this Body of Christ wants to accomplish, I was already sold out to it and it has become my personal desire to take part in accomplishing this vision. The vision imparted to me is this:

“A multitude of disciples committed to evangelism and disciple-making, reaching the whole world for Christ.”

This vision was based on the promise given to our leader through Isaiah 60:22, ‘The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the Lord, in its time, I will do this swiftly.’ God has made clear to me earlier in my Christian life that this vision is the ultimate purpose of my life. This is the reason why Jesus Christ revealed Himself to me in a very personal way. I am  convinced that to accomplish this vision,  I have to carry out our mission, which is, ‘

To fulfill Christ’s Great Commission by making disciples and reproducible disciple-making ministries’. I was also convinced of what my Bible Study Leader always tells me that I am a multitude so it has never really occurred to me, in all honesty, to leave this ministry.

Going back to the Summit, one of the things that’s really striking to me during the message was the message spoken by our national director, Kuya Boni Arzedon. He said that poverty is one of the consequences or results of SIN. In order to break this Sin, people need to personally meet and encounter Jesus so if we really want this country to prosper, we really have to disciple this nation, and I believe that this is really true.
As someone who is working for the government, particularly in the development sector, this message is relevant to me. One of the biggest problems of our country that our government really wants to address is poverty. This is very evident in the current Philippine Development Plan whose overarching goal is poverty reduction and inclusive growth. Though most people don’t really know it (maybe because of too much misinformation shared by the media), the government people are really working hard to address poverty but to be also honest, we are not actually doing well in this area. Even I, personally, am already starting to feel hopeless about it.

I know God has already revealed this insight to me before, during one of my quiet time two years ago, so I was really encouraged to work harder in discipling this nation when I heard it again from our Pastor. Why am I so convinced about this? Because I believe that what this country needs are not brilliant leaders and new strategies in addressing poverty but behavioral change among the people. I’ve learned this truth during my training in Japan last year. I believe that our country has better laws and policies compared to Japan. We also have better and more brilliant people and yes, we are more blessed with beautiful and natural resources compared to the Japanese but I think what makes their country more progressive than ours is the discipline of their people. The Japanese have a truly beautiful others-centric culture that’s why they are really obedient to the law and to their leaders, without even complaining, which this country is really lacking. Whether we accept it or not, the Filipino culture is far from being others-centric. Think about of how much we complain when a new law or policy is introduced when it doesn’t suit our tastes. And think about how much we blame our leaders when everything goes wrong, instead of becoming a part of the solution. So yes, this country really needs a major heart surgery. The Filipinos need a major behavioral change and this impossible without the help from Christ. The Filipinos need Jesus, and Jesus alone.

Prayer:

Our gracious and heavenly Father, just like what Daniel has done and prayed long time ago, I humbly come before you on behalf of my countrymen. Lord we claim and declare that Jesus is the Lord and God of this country. We confess that we have sinned against You. We have been rebellious by following other gods in our life and we have not keep your commands. But You are a loving and merciful God. So we ask for your forgiveness and we pray that you deliver this country from the bondage of sin. Lord, let your glory be revealed in this nation by changing the heart of our people. Let this be a nation who seek God and confess that Jesus is Lord. As what Daniel has said, ‘we do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear Your name. Lord, you are the God of this country. In Jesus’ name, amen.

I don’t know why but I think I have come to a point where social media posts doesn’t appeal to me anymore. I mean everything I see in my newsfeed now are all the same. Even the articles I see are all tiring to read. Perhaps I really should start detoxyfying myself from the noise of the virtual community.

If there’s one thing that I really hate to talk about, it’s religion. I hate it when people ask me what my religion is because I don’t want to be defined by the stigma that comes with the name of the group I belong to. I want to be defined by my relationship with Jesus, not by my religious affiliation.

So when people ask me what my religion is, I always say that I am a Christian. And by being a Christian, it means that I am a follower and a disciple of Jesus Christ. And by being a disciple of Christ, I mean that I want to live my life the way Jesus’ did, NOT by my own strength and wisdom but by the grace and power of God living in me. Jesus is the Lord and Savior of my life.

But then last month, we met a new friend from India in a training and he ask us about our religion. I have no choice but to answer him and I told him that I am a Christian but a Protestant Christian. He asked me what’s the difference from other sects so I shared to him what we believe in.  A few days later, he asked me again if I am a protestant. I answered, ‘yes but I preferred to be called a born-again Christian.’

I don’t know why but for some reasons, I am not comfortable calling myself a Protestant. But I am sure that I am a born-again Christian. And by being born-again, I consider myself a new creation, saved by God’s grace and transformed by the power of Christ. I am a sinner who was changed by God and is still being transformed to be conformed into the likeness of Jesus, in terms of character and ministry. I live in the truth which God has declared in the Bible that ‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come. (2 Cor 5:17)’

So I guess that’s what being born-again means. It means being born of water and the Spirit as what Jesus said in John 3:5. And as what Jesus has declared, being born again (of God) is a first requirement for anyone who wishes to see the kingdom of God.

Yes, after 4 years of 1 chapter a day meditation on my Bible, I’m done reading and studying it from cover to cover.

I am writing this not to brag but to encourage everyone to read it at least once in your life, if you really want to know God and to know how to live a life pleasing to God. The Bible is the Truth. And the truth will set you free. So if you want to know the truth, read it for yourself.

I was talking to a friend the other day and she said that the reason why people nowadays have subjective views about God is because of different interpretation of the Bible. While I agree with her that interpretation matters, I don’t believe that the Bible is meant to be interpreted. It is the Word of God so we don’t need to interpret it. We are meant to UNDERSTAND and BELIEVE it, and if there’s a clear command, OBEY it. The Bible interprets itself so it is plain and simple to those who read it for the purpose of knowing who God really is and for the purpose of knowing the TRUTH.

As for me, the Bible is not a book but a legit life manual because it is the LIVING WORD of God.

Praise the Lord for this wonderful treasure!

And here comes my most dreaded question, haha! I’m actually quite hesitant to answer this but since I accepted this challenge, I guess I don’t have a choice.

I’ve mentioned the five qualities I’ve set as my standard for my ideal guy in my previous book review post. That was the standard I’ve set when I was younger. I don’t think it’s still the same today because I’ve added some more on my list lately. 😀

Kidding aside, these qualities I’ve set before are superficial to me now. I can still get attracted to guys with any of these qualities but if he doesn’t meet my non-negotiables, I usually tend to cross him out from my list of prospective husband.  So here’s the checklist for my ideal husband:

1. He loves God more than He loves me. I often tell this to my office friends because as an nbsb, I always end up being the object of their playing-cupid game. They always tend to pair me up with anyone who also happens to be single and available, as if I’m looking for a boyfriend. And because godly men are rare species these days, my officemates often end up speechless whenever I mention my requirement to them. I believe that if my man truly loves God, I am assured that he can’t also afford to hurt me because He knows that he is accountable to God for his actions toward me.

2. A heart after God like David. This is somewhat related to number 1. God looks after our heart so it is really important that my future husband will be someone whose heart really beats only for God.

3. Passion for excellence like Daniel. If I were to choose an ideal man  from the Bible, it’s Daniel. The Bible said that Daniel so distinguished himself among all the satraps and administrators that those who are envious of him had to use his devotion to God to accuse him of disobeying the King. They can’t find any fault in him so they have to persuade the king issue an order that they are sure Daniel will disobey. So I want my man to have same passion to excel for God.

4. Integrity like Job. Job is one of the men of the Bible who was found righteous before God. Satan has to petition to God to allow him to test Job because God said that Job is still a righteous servant. To Satan’s disappointment, Job has passed his test and thus proven himself righteous before the Lord. I want my future man to be like Job who’s walk with God is already consistent.

5.He’s a leader. I want someone who is really committed to lead more men to Christ. And I also want someone who will lead me closer to God.

I know these standards are quite foolish to some. I should know because some have even accused me of being idealistic or being someone who is hard to please because of my standards. I know that men with these qualities are rare these days but I am sure that they exist because my Jesus is alive and He is able to transform lives of men and mold them to become more like Him in character. I have also met actual men who truly love God and know how to respect women. So I am sure if God really wills it for me to have a lifetime partner, He will send someone who perfectly fits with my standard. As what the famous actress in our country, Maricar Reyes, said, ‘Set your standards high and trust God that He will meet that standard.’
Jesus said, ‘according to your faith, it will be done you.’ So by faith, I’m claiming that nothing is impossible with God. 😀

And just like that, we’re now in March and the first quarter of the year is almost over. Though short, the month of February has been somewhat action-packed for me. I’ve learned a lot of things about myself once again, I’ve met a lot of new friends, been reconnected with an old friend, and seen an untimely death of an office colleague.

If there’s one thing that I want to be reminded of about my February, it’s ‘Life is Short’. With all the tensions happening in this country and in some other parts of the world, I am fully convinced that we are in the last days. I am now fully aware of the urgency of the Gospel and the importance of the work that Jesus has entrusted to His followers. I don’t want to sound pessimistic but I am convinced that this world is not going any better because God has meant to destroy it. Since I know now that the time is near, I now realized that my selfish desires and ambitions are nothing compared to the big task that is coming ahead so I have to be on guard and remain faithful. We know that no one knows the time and day of Jesus’ second coming but we must be ready because He will come in the most unexpected time and hour. So it would be better if Jesus will find me busy for His kingdom when He comes rather than sorry if He will find me idle. Or better yet, I should be ready and prepared to welcome Him with joy and excitement in my heart.

The first month of the year has really been a great start for me. It’s no secret that the previous year has brought a lot of struggles and frustrations to me that I wanted it to end fast so that I can start all over again with a clean slate in 2015. Indeed, by God’s grace, year 2015 has given me a new hope and chance to try and attempt great things for God again.

So I planned, I made commitments and tried to fulfil it. But things get in the way and now I’m starting to feel frustrated and disappointed again. I’ve always known and believed that God can do great things through me. I also know that God is pleased with faith so I thought that this faith can bring me to great places. But how come things don’t happen the way I expected it to be? How come that it seems nothing is happening according to my plans?

Then it hit me. Did I say MY PLANS? That exactly explains why ‘nothing’ is happening. I’m still trying to do things on my own strength and effort so God’s grace and power can’t have a room in my life. Now I realized that this is the lesson that I always keep on missing.

God is more concerned about my journey more than my destination so unless I let Him take control of ALL areas of my life, I will forever remain in this cycle of trying and failing.

He is more concerned about molding my character into Christlikeness so He will not allow me to get my heart’s desire without learning the most important lesson I should  learn from Jesus’ life: HUMILITY and SUBMISSION.

Even if I don’t admit it, God knows that there is still a part of my heart that I keep for myself. I’m still unwilling to surrender it to God and so I struggled. Now I’m beginning to understand that Jesus does not want just a part but ALL parts of my life. And I am still not able to do it because there still remains selfishness and pride deep inside my heart. The only way to remove them is to make me broken so that I would learn about dependence and humility. And I realized that I really need a lot of breaking from God. So now I want to make this bold prayer: ‘Lord, break me!’

I know it won’t be easy but God’s grace is always sufficient so I’m sure that everything will turn out to be perfect.