Finish Line

Lahat tayo, pangarap maging successful, tama? Pero, what is success? As I have read on a words of wisdom box..

"SUCCESS is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed." - Booker T. Washington

Reading at the verse at Jeremiah 29:11, the Lord has plans to prosper us and not to harm us. Question is, Why venture in things that will break us down? 'Yung mga bagay na 'di natin alam gawin or 'di tayo umase-asenso. The Lord gave each one his own ability according to their capacity. Remeber the servants that are given 10 talents, 5 talents, and 1 talent (Parable of the Talents)? 2 had been fruitful, but the one is left and it is thrown away. We should be like the servants with 10 and 5 as well. And God wants us to bear fruit in the abilities He gave us. Why? For Jesus told once that He is the TRUE VINE, and we are the branches. We should bear fruit in all ways God called us.

"I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me--and I in him--bears much fruit, because apart from me, you can accomplish nothing." | John 15:5

I have a question: have you already experienced success? Nakita, naamoy, natikman, o kahit nadaplisan mo man lang ba ang success? All of us would dream for this. Like my mentor said, kahit pulubi (grease men - tama ba?) pangarap 'yan. Iniisip natin na we don't have enough access to gain success. Paano? Sa money? No! You can gain success kahit 'di ganoong kalaki ang pera mo o sweldo mo. How?

• Venture into mentoring. Magpamentor ka. Churches have leaders that is into the field of your passion. Invest time for seeking questions and learning. Let the Holy Spirit guide you. Let it be done by the will of God..'wag kontrahin. You can know success through experienced people and PRAYING (so that we know that God moved and made the way for us and not of ourselves). Hindi sa sariling sikap. Ako I admit 'di ko pa nakikita ang success, pero I am getting to know it na. I have mentors who are successful in the field God let me in eh. Alamin natin kung ano ang feeling ng successful. :) Investigate with praying, before Investing.

• Alamin 'din ang passion. Whatever good thing you do that excites you, 'yung bagay or field na talagang go na go ka, pray for it, then 'yun na 'yon. Write 3 (minimum) things na driven kang gawin, then write people with that na tutulong sa'yo, then 3 deepest 'WHYS' kung bakit. :)

'Wag matakot sa mga maaring mangyari (trials, hardships, etc.) Why? For the Lord is guides our steps all the way. Just let Him guide you. And remember we can do all things through Him who strengthens us (Phil. 4:13). Trials are meant to strengthen us, not to bring us down. How? The Lord is carrying us and makes us stand firm. Remember the "Footprints On The Sand" story? :)

Expect greater things to happen with Faith and Hope from the Lord's love for us. Let His peace rest upon us. :) Relax lang, chill lang sa gawain while aiming for excellence, and watch Him work all things out for our own good (Romans 8:28).

Be excellent in aiming for success from God. Being excellent is not stepping on others' feet, but your own head. Being excellent is giving credit (glory and honor) to the one who helped us all the way since the start of our lives 'til we reached His purpose for us--Jesus Christ our Lord. Being excellent is having humility and listening to corrections and mentoring. 

Look up to leaders. The best man for leadership? Not our bosses, not artists, neither businessmen nor famous people. Only JESUS CHRIST. Lead like Him. How? Accept Him as your Lord and Savior, confess your sins, admit it, and let Him take control. And, get to know Him more through the love story book of all time--the Bible. Because out of His love for us, He died to save us. :)

This 2014, start the year with prayer for the nation, for family, for churches, and for self, to aim for success by the grace of God!

Glory and honor are all to God, who is above all, and greater than anything else!

Grace, peace, faith, hope, love, and favor may be upon you all this year, and all days! Amen! :)

#FinishLine
#EncourageEveryone

New Year's Resolution

Every New Year, we get a pen and a paper to write this: New Year's Resolutions. 'Yung mga gusto nating mabago sa sarili natin. 'Yung mga maipilit nating mabago. Bakit? Siguro..para maimpress ang iba. Siguro, talagang sawa na sa dating buhay. Pero some fail to do this. Kahit ako dati. Pero as I get to know our Savior, resolutions are broken.

Picture the scenario. Some people are throwing away the pen and paper and not doing resolutions anymore. They say, " 'di naman natutuloy." Why do you think they are like this? Probably, they do it on their own and not for God.

Resolutions are man-made, and man-thought, don't you think? Why? We make changes to our selves, by our own will. Kung paano natin iibahin ang sarili natin by our own plans and strength. Pero look, there is a change.

Why not make it as your..OFFERINGS? Because of GOD'S GRACE (undeserved favor), by His WILL, we're gonna have a life changing situation forever. Not by our own, but by God--after we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior and decided to respond to His call and have an intimate, personal relationship with Him. 'Matic na eh.

See God's favor and grace overflow as we learn to surrender (isuko) our life to God, and yield (give the keys of our hearts to Him and open it to welcome God). 'Di mo na kailangang gawin ang kahit ano pa. Dahil nalaman mo na, that Jesus died for you and me to free us from the bondage of physical and spiritual death, and resurrected to justify us, our lives will automatically change the way He know and wants it to happen by His will and how He planned it. Remember, He knows our future. JESUS + NOTHING = EVERYTHING. He already said, "It is finished." We are already been freed. :)

Lalabas na lahat as we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior: FORGIVENESS (our asking for it sincerely and giving it sincerely), REPENTANCE, ADMISSION, SUBMISSION, SURRENDERING, YIELDING, and many more! :)

Resolutions, on the other hand, are promises that are broken. Si God lang ang nagpo-promise na hindi nabe-break because He knows He can give it and alam naman nating lahat 'yon. As for us, never promise to whoever or whatever. A YES IS A YES, and a NO IS A NO.

"And above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath. But let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No" be no, so that you may not fall into judgment." | James 5:12 net

Make lists of 'I should to this for God' and pray for it for the will of God to happen. Pray. Pray. Pray. Let the Holy Spirit fill you. Do not do it by your own, but by God. :)

Make it appoint that it's not a resolution, but an offering. A RE-SOUL-UTION. Sell your soul out to God and let Him take control. :)

Glory and honor are all to God who brings days and hours of hope everyday! May you all be filled with love, grace, faith, hope, love, and peace as 2014 starts! Amen!

#NewYearsResolution

#EncourageEveryone

End The Year Right! (Preaching Repost)

Q: Are you happiest this year or last year? What made you less happy or more happy?

Sadness is a natural occurrence. But happiness is not.

How do we start 2014 right?

  - we can only start 2014 right, if we end 2013 right. How?

• No matter what happened, always be thankful. (1 Thess. 5:18) "Sa lahat ng pagkakataon." But from the inside, do we have a thankful heart?

If we believe that God is with us all the time, even in difficulties, our story with God IS NOT YET OVER. There's more to come!

As God answers, it is a yes and an amen through our Lord Jesus Christ. It's either "Yes, I will give it to you," or "No, but I will make and planning something better for you."

If we are not thankful for what we have, we will never be grateful for what we do not have yet.

• Clarify your values. (Matthew 6:19-21) How?

  - what you prioritize, you value. Kung ano inuuna mo, that is your priority. The thing that consumes your time the most, is your priority.

• Clarify your happiness. (Psalm 1:1-6)

  - we are not happy because we see happiness in a wrong way. Happiness does not depend on what's around you. It's what's inside you.

You will not be successful because of what you can do, but only on what will God will to you. External things (materials and leisures) has expirations, unlike internal (feelings, relationships on friends, family or partners)--in the hearts.

• Clarify your Foolishness (Proverbs 26:11) are we going to go back to our folly?

The most disgusting vomit, is the vomit inside. Hidden follies are the ones that are dangerous. Foolishness defiles people who are close to us.

• Get rid of your bitterness. (Ephesians 4:31-32) Anger and bitterness are not the same. It's fine to be angry in a situation and not to a person.

Bitterness is an anger with an intention of breaking the person to prove him wrong. Get rid of it for it imprisons.

An unforgiven heart, is an unforgiving heart. Why unforgiveness sometimes last? Because of..

  1. Pride

  2. Sin committing that is not forgiven. But you are forgiven with what Jesus did on the cross.

In life there is a reset button. Forgiveness / Repentance.

To God, repent. To others, apologize. :)

- Ptr. Erick Fernandez, Victory Malolos

Glory and honor is all to God in the highest! May God bless you all and by His grace in Faith, Hope, and Love abide in you as the year ends and 2014 comes! Amen!

#EndTheYearRight

#EncourageEveryone

"Sino 'yang kasama mo?"

" 'Di ka kasi nag-pagpag." " 'Wag matutulog ng basa ang buhok." Ilan lang sa mga pamahiin na alam natin (actually ako eto lang haha). Meron pang mga elemental creatures. In the habit of doing this, people's belief got mixed up and sabug-sabog na. What does that mean? Iniikot lang ang isipan natin. By what?

IMAGINATIONS. This is the word for it. Some of these pamahiins and beliefs are psychological and cannot be expressed by the heart.

Most known pamahiins are those na nakakatakot. Pagpag, pagtulog ng basa ang buhok, 'wag magsukat ng traje de boda (wedding gown) bago ang kasal, duwende, kapre, etc. Look at the context. Because of sabi-sabi's, naiiba 'yung perspective natin sa isang bagay.

Kung dati nagpunta tayo sa patay dahil gusto lang nating irespeto, ngayon iniisip natin na pagkagaling sa patay, daan na sa ibang lugar para 'di masundan. Kung dati excited kang isukat ang wedding gown, ngayon 'di na.

Pero are these things real? If we are with our Creator, paniniwalaan mo pa kaya 'to?

All of these, are made out of FEAR. My mentor once said na FEAR is only made up from IMAGINATIONS. Let's assess our fears.

F - alse
E - xpectations
A - ppearing
R - eal

Anxieties and fears only come out of false expectations. Ineexpect kasi natin na meron talagang mga creatures, and mangyayari talaga ang mga traditions. Niloloko ka lang ng imagination mo. Why? Dahil may nagsabi sa'yo para ibahin ang mindset mo. Kung dati 'di mo pinapansin 'yung matandang puno sa likod ng bahay niyo, ngayon iniisip mo na may nagtatabako doon. 'Di ba?

Why not expect and believe that the Lord is always with us and guiding every step we take, by His grace? Kahit saan tayo magpunta, the Lord is guiding and always working for our own good.

The word of the Lord says, "Be careful not to allow anyone to captivate you through an empty, deceitful philosophy that is according to HUMAN TRADITIONS and elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ." | Colossians 2:8

It explains it all. Some will think (in elemental creatures context) na may nangangalaga lang sa mga lupa, etc. MERON. SI GOD. HINDI ANG MGA KAPRE O WHATEVER IT MAY BE. HE HOLDS THINGS TOGETHER (Colossians 1:17) NGA EH. HE TAKES CARE OF ALL HIS CREATIONS. WALA NG IBA. :)

These are just FAITH-SHAKERS. Kung maririnig natin 'yung commercial na "Sino 'yang kasama mo?," we can reply "Si God. Takot ka, noh?" :)

Clearly some traditions are made WITHOUT LOVE, FAITH, HOPE, and PEACE. If we believe that God is with us, and is for us, WE BELIEVE THAT THE ENEMY HAS BEEN DEFEATED! NOTHING CAN STAND AGAINST US.

Some may claim na nakakakita sila ng kung anu-ano. Iniisip mo kasing meron kaya akala mo, meron nga. Again, niloloko ka lang ng imagination mo. The enemy is just using these things to weaken our faith. Sinasabi lang niya na you are alone and there is someone standing there to scare you, or something bad will happen to you when you try to do things. These are just his worthless baits [pain (read as pa-aen)]. Remember, just to weaken our faith, the enemy is like..

"..a roaring lion, that is on the prowl looking for someone to devour." | 1 Peter 5:8

So 'wag kakagat sa bait ng enemy. Once he drags your faith away, lagot ka na. So be on guard. How? BY PERSISTENT PRAYER AND FAITH THAT THE LORD IS OUR HELPER AND IS WITH US, AND HE WILL MAKE EVEN GREATER THINGS! :)

Now we, as Christians, wanted to encourage you guys. Na may kasama kayo, beside you, inside your hearts, and HIS NAME IS JESUS CHRIST. That He will work things out for our own good, so do not believe the traditions. Just believe WHAT THE SOVEREIGN LORD SAYS IN HIS WORDS. Learn to surrender yourselves to Jesus (mind, heart, soul, body, and strength). Let Him take control. And you will feel peace. For He said in His word..

"I am leaving you with a gift--PEACE OF MIND AND HEART. And the peace I give is a gift te world cannot give. So DON'T BE TROUBLED OR AFRAID." | John 14:27 nlt

Sa pamahiin, pay respect to the dead, and pray for his/her soul. Jesus wanted His people to pray for people, dead or alive. This is a way to show our love for others as well. Isukat ang dapat isukat. Malay mo tumaba pala. If you believe God will push through your wedding and it is by His will (since the day you both met), He will push it through just for me and you to meet..ay you and your partner to meet pala. :)

Remember, niloloko lang kayo ng imaginations niyo and ng mga traditions. If GOD IS FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US? | Romans 8:31

Folks with Christ and everyone else, LET OUR FAITH BE BIGGER THAN OUR FEARS AND OTHER ANXIETIES AND WORRIES. :)

Are you going to rely on your FALSE EXPECTATIONS, or on the PEACE OF THE PRINCE OF PEACE, JESUS? LIVE BY FAITH, AND NOT BY SIGHT! :)

Glory and honor is all to God who is with us from the start, 'til forever!

Grace, love, faith, hope, and peace may be with you as we start everyday with Him! Amen! :)

#SinoYangKasamaMo
#EncourageEveryone

Take it or Leave it?

When we offer something to someone, or give gifts, sometimes we reject and say, "Thanks bro, but no thanks." O kaya, "Okay lang bro. Thank you."

'Di ba it's like rejecting someone from being a blessing to us? How can we make people generous, if in us, we stop them from being generous? How can we help people to be a blessing, if we stop them to bless us?

May chain reaction din dyan. If we stop people from being a blessing, how can we bless? If God blessed us and never shared and gave back or be a blessing to others, how can it overflow and we be blessed again?

If we put into the storehouse, aapaw yan, and blessings will come (Malachi 3:10). So when blessings come, give back. :)

Ngayong Christmas, don't stop people to be a blessing. Accept, then GIVE BACK HEARTILY. Truly, I say, that "God loves a CHEERFUL GIVER." | 2 Corinthians 9:7

'Wag tayong mahiya. Blessing ni God 'yan. That's the problem--shyness. Truth is, we're stopping them from being a blessing to us. If God gives us blessing through others or our FAITH, give back heartily. For a blessing cannot be a blessing if it is not given back or shared.

Take it or leave it is not the question. It is, TAKE IT, or TAKE IT?

Glory to our God who blesses the humble and cheerful giver! Grace, peace, love, and favor of the Lord be upon you all everyday and enable us to be a blessing and be joyful for blessings! Amen! :)

#TakeItOrLeaveIt

#EncourageEveryone

GeneroCITY: Ibigay mo na ang Lahat

Ngayong Pasko, 'di mawawala ang EXCHANGE GIFTS, KRIS-KRINGLE, MONITO MONITA, at kung anu-ano pang regaluhan. Minsan nga, behind the scenes, nagtatanungan at nagsasabihan na kung anong gustong regalo, tapos pagdating ng regaluhan, kung magulat parang 'di pa alam (ganito po kasi ako dati).

Maiba lang..do we put LOVE IN EVERYTHING WE GIVE? DO WE HAVE FAITH IN GOD THAT WHOEVER WE WILL GIVE GIFTS, THEY WILL LIKE IT? DO WE HAVE HOPE AND FAITH AS WELL, THAT WHATEVER THEY WILL GIVE TO US, IT'S FOR OUR OWN GOOD AND IS THE WILL OF OUR CREATOR?

In everything we give, material or not (most especially sa hindi materyal na bagay), let "FAITH, HOPE, and LOVE remain, with LOVE as the GREATEST". (1 Corinthians 13:13) These 3 never fade away. These 3 never subside if we are on the Lord. Why?

If we have FAITH, that God will enable us to encourage people and do, be, and have all things in prayer (with living our faith in our lives by God's grace as our worship), we CAN DO IT. And people will remember the words and feeling that God told us to tell His people.

If we have HOPE, we wait on the Lord's revelations. We depend on the Lord and work and move for Him. Naniniwala tayo na whatever we give to others, they will treasure it.

And if we give and share with LOVE, whatever we give, share, say, or show to others, it will never fade. Especially on the hearts of the people.

See? Parang ganito ang rank niyan..

1. Love
2. Faith
3. Hope

Dahil mahal tayo ni God, we have faith, na whatever we ask in His name in prayer, we will receive and we can do all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who gives us strength (Philippians 4:13), and be all things for His glory. We also hope for MORE GREAT THINGS THAT ARE YET TO COME, FOR HE IS IN CONTROL AND IS GREATER ABOVE EVERYTHING ELSE.

What is having HOPE and FAITH? It is "being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." | Hebrews 11:1

What is LOVE? It is "patient, kind, does not envy, does not boast, is not proud, not rude, not self-seeking (or selfish), not easily angered, keeps NO RECORD OF WRONGS, does not delight in evil but REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH, always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres." | 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 niv

Point is, whether we give to people gifts or words of encouragement or especially leading them to God, whatever [we] do, do it for the Lord (Colossians 3:17) and do it heartily as if for the Lord and not for men (v.23). Gawin natin from the heart, WITH LOVE, FAITH, and HOPE.

Why? Because the best gifts this Christmas are not seen under the mistletoe. Let our hearts be filled with GENEROSITY as well. :)

Naniniwala ako, na this city, even this country, even this world will be a country of GENEROSITY that will GLORIFY OUR SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. :)

Give with LOVE, FAITH, and HOPE, with LOVE as the greatest!

Glory and honor are all to God, our Savior and Redeemer! Grace, peace, and love overflow and faith increase for you, people of Christ not just this season, but everyday! Amen. :)

#GeneroCITY

#EncourageEveryone

Only Hope

Starting this with a question, what is your biggest reason of Christmas celebration?

This blog is a story-like blog..'pang wattpad dapat pero blog na lang. Anyway..long long time ago..

There was a young girl named Ria who is to be engaged to a man named Seph. Seph is a carpenter and it is his way of living.

One day, as Ria was preparing things, a messenger in pure white clothes came to her and told her a prophecy. This prophecy, is that she will bear a Son, and is to be named 'Christ'ian. After 9 months of child-bearing, she gave birth to a son and was given a bright star as a gift. This Son, is the one prophesied to be the Messiah--the Savior--and this Christian is the one we look up to as Jesus Christ.

Back to the point, as people before hoped for the coming of the Messiah, we, today, have bigger hopes for His second coming. Why?

Kung dati ang tingin natin sa 'end of days' is something na nakakatakot, well, have your hopes held up high. Why? This is Jesus' way to show His glory and let people call upon His name, and give hope to those who wait for Him and open up the heavens and redeem them--people who accepted Him as their Lord and Savior and worked out their faith by the will of God. He said in His word that everything of this will happen but still, "Look up, for the day of your redemption is drawing near." | Luke 21:28

Another thing to be hopeful for is this: Jesus along with the angel armies will fight the dragon--the devil. Para 'di tayo masaktan. Fighting with the blood of the Lamb. See? 'Til the end, Jesus still battles for us. This goes to show that even today, 'til the end and forever, Jesus battles with us on our trials. More often, battles for us. Siya na ang lumalaban for us. Hopeful isn't it?

More reasons to be hopeful, are these: He will come to deliver us away from this battle, and bring with Him the redeemed--the chosen ones--people who believed in Him, have faith in Him, people who believe that He is their Lord and Savior. Imagine, titira tayo in a palace and paradise with the One who created us, and the One who introduced us to Him. Titira tayo sa kingdom na walang sakit, walang hirap, walang pasakit. Grabe ang ganda diba? And in there, we will live eternally pa. No death, for it cannot hold us down there. :)

One more is this: Hope in God, is God's strengthening of our trusts, believing, and faith (when we believe with our hearts in spirit and in truth that in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we can do, be, and have all things in prayer). Why? The Scripture says that there will be the 'Mark of the beast' that will be put in their foreheads, or right hand when it comes (I believe meron na siya ngayon).

This mark, is something that is required by authorities the beast appointed to be put into people for them to buy things, food, etc. na free of charge. Then may persecution pa. Ngayon, pano siya naging hopeful?

If they persecute us, to the point of execute us, with God's perspective on us, EVERY HIT, EVERY PUNCH, EVERY SPIT, EVERY TORTURE will bring us NEARER TO THE FULFILLMENT OF THE PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE AND REDEMPTION. These will bring us closer and nearer sa pagsasama natin kay God. Mas lumalapit 'yung promise ni God 'pag mas masakit. Parang "Sige pa!!!!" Therefore, HOPE IN GOD, is His strengthening. Kasi nga, as Jesus said in His word..

"Whoever saves His life for nothing will lose it, but whoever saves His life for my sake WILL SAVE IT." | Luke 9:24

But to summarize all of these, change our perspectives. We have hope, because we are one less Christmas, one less day, one less second NEARER to the fulfillment of God's promise--the eternal life. Cherish every single second of your day and give it all for God and his glory!

As we wait on the Lord's second coming, I pray that you and me will wait on the Lord with HOPE, FAITH, AND LOVE, for He will strengthen us! Mas tatatag tayo in facing life's challenges for we believe in FAITH that God is always with us, and will redeem us. :)

God's grace is His empowerment. God's HOPE, is His strengthening. :)

Glory is all to our God who gives us hope! May His grace, peace, and love, empower us to wait on the Lord, and be of good courage as we wait on Him! Merry CHRISTmas! Amen. :)

#OnlyHope

#EncourageEveryone

Bago Sumapit Ang Pasko...

Sino ang narinig na ang kantang "Bago sumapit ang pasko..namimili ang [blah blah blah..]"? We normally hear this from children carolers before Christmas arrives.

Tapos tayo, our response is "Patatawarin. Sa Pasko na lang." Do we ever thought na 'di na babalik ang iba sa mga 'yun kasi magce-celebrate din sila ng Pasko sa mga bahay nila?

Point is, they are singing carols before Christmas, so when Christmas comes, they are to celebrate happily with their families. Iba kasi sa'tin think naturally--thinking that they will use the money we give for bad things. Problem is, we judge the book without opening it first.

Back to the point, they ask before Christmas nga, kasi they somehow want to be happy when Christmas day comes. We, as God's children, must do what our Father tells us--that is to have a generous heart. We should be generous not only on Christmas but everyday.

Wala na po kasing mangangaroling pagdating ng Pasko. Kaya kanta na sila maaga pa lang. Kung pababalikin natin sila sa Pasko, they will expect great things that we will give to them. Natural thinking is worrying about what good we will give and baka dumami sila. Remember it's a consequence of what we did before.

These kids, want to be happy and celebrate Christmas day with their family or friends. They ask before Christmas for a purpose. We might not know it, but God does. Do not worry on how will they use whatever we give to them. Remember, the peace of God rests upon us and it's only God who knows what all of us are doing. :)

"Bago sumapit ang Pasko, namimili ang mommy ko ng mga pangregalo para sa araw ng Pasko." Before Christmas day comes, my mom buys gifts for the exact Christmas day. This explains it all why we help kids even before Christmas day comes. The purpose of bringing joy and smiles to them. :)

So give LOVE AND WITH LOVE before and on Christmas day, even everyday. Not just on special days, but glorify God all the way each day. :)

Glory all to God in the highest! May His unfailing love and grace and favor open the eyes of our hearts for the generosity God calls us to have. Amen. :)

#BagoSumapitAngPasko

#EncourageEveryone

"Patatawarin.."

Bata: "Jinggam bells, jinggam bells, jinggam-ol da wey.."

Matanda: "Patatawarin!"

Normal and natural scenario of Christmas season. People reject kids that sings Christmas carols. 'Yung iba ang dahilan, pangit ang boses, walang effort, etc. Ah, hello po? 'Di po ito contest. Hehe. Anyway..

In another perspective from God, "Patatawarin" is a good thing. Why? This word..this BIG word, is a good gift for children who ask for something this Christmas season. Why? It's not for them to go away ('di ko sinasabing gawin niyo para itaboy sila), but for them to be saved. How?

"Patatawarin...kayo ni God if you learn to confess your sins and accept Him as your Lord and Savior. He will make you feel secured. Make you feel encouraged and alive everyday." If our motives of patatawarin is like this, surely we will glorify our Savior.

Call to disciple and lead them to God for their salvation. That's the real 'patatawarin' means. Hindi rejection sa mga bata. Patatawarin, then explain and win souls. Children on their young age grasp things easily. They understand easy. God made this for them so that they may grasp fully the message of the gospel. At ages 4-15, they will listen, and ages 16 and above, they will apply them. :)

How good is it that little children get to know God at their young age and get to have an intimate relationship with our Creator? Real good and it brings in us uplifting spirit. But most of all, expect there are big, big, rejoicing in heaven on what we did for this children. As Jesus had said, "Let the little children come to me and do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." | Matthew 19:14

Patatawarin, is not a rejection, but a call for God's salvation. :) Real Christmas means Christ's death on the cross to free us from sins, and in Him through His resurrection, we can have eternal life.

Glory to our Lord above in all ends of the earth! May His compassionate and loving heart be like our hearts and never be filled with selfishness, anger, rage, irritation, etc. this Christmas season. Merry CHRISTmas! Amen! :)

#Patatawarin

#EncourageEveryone

CHRISTmas or CLAUSmas?

Last December 1, I was in this big mansion in our province and as we enter the house, it was very, very gorgeous inside. Parang pang-teleserye 'yung laman ng bahay. Pero there is one thing that really captured my attention..

This:

2 Santa statues 'yan. Santa, holding a lamp post. 'Yung isa (the one one the left not included on the photo) buo yung lamp post. Pero ito, this one captured my attention and God urged me to tell you guys about this.

Seems like Santa is hugging a CROSS, and holding a BIBLE. It's not a book of wishes, but a Bible.

God impressed to me, EVEN SANTA CLAUS HONOR JESUS CHRIST, OUR SAVIOR--THE REAL MEANING OF CHRISTMAS. GOD PLANNED AND MADE SANTA CLAUS AS HIS WAY TO BRING JOY TO PEOPLE. Pero the real thing is, IT IS STILL JESUS WHO IS THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS. 

EVEN SANTA, AS HE HUGS THIS CROSS, TELLS US THAT WE CAN GIVE LOVE AND JOY FROM OUR HEARTS TO OTHERS WITH GOD in us. Santa tells us that God is the only source of joy and happiness and love this Christmas season. :)

What joy, hope, and love can we give as we acknowledge God?

Real joy, is accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior and letting Him take control upon our lives.

Real CHRISTmas, is when He died on the cross for all of us to free us from sin, to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, and resurrected to give us ETERNAL LIFE. This is real joy. This is real love. THAT, IS GRACE.

Parang ganito: God called someone for a purpose. And Santa is one fictional person God planned to be made to bring joy to people para at the end, people will thank God. People will honor God. People will glorify God. 

Santa is made to let people know that as we give, give like Jesus--with love without asking anything in return--and real joy, love, and hope can only be found in Jesus Christ.

Santa wasn't born and given by a God. Santa wasn't born on a manger. Santa wasn't given a star. Santa's conceiving wasn't given as a message by an angel. It is only Jesus. And Santa is only one illustration from God to give us a hint of how He gives love, and joy to others.

The main point is, kahit si Santa Claus, He wants all of us to honor and revere Jesus Christ as we become like Jesus--bringing joy to others like what Santa is told to do. He hugs this cross, and reads the Bible for guidance. He seeks God. He brings joy because of God. He is God's instrument to give us joy. He glorifies God. Why don't we glorify God as well? :)

As this blog ends, May we all honor God in this coming Christmas season--His birthday--with love giving and looking up to Him and expecting bigger things to happen next year. And revere Him in all things we do, decide, and say and stop trusting in our own ways and works but only Him.

Everything we will have, give, and make, may it all be made to glorify God and honor Him and will be a product of His guidance. :)

And remember, "joy to the world, the SAVIOR REIGNS!" Santa Claus is a part of God's heart that is full of love.

Glory all to God, in the highest! :)

#CHRISTmasOrCLAUSmas ?

#EncourageEveryone

Beee Happeee!

'Di po ako nagpo-promote ng Jollibee or ng toothpaste. I'm posting this blog as a messenger of God. :)

Marami sa atin lalo na ngayon magpapasko ang nagpa-panic. "Baka magmahal 'to sa pasko." "Baka tumaas ang kuryente." Etsetera. Well, wala na po tayong magagawa. Tumataas po ang demand (tama ba?). Tataas din ang mga presyo niyan.

Pero 'di po ito intended as a discouragement. That's why #EncourageEveryone nga. I just want you to know, kahit tumaas man ang kuryente (which I think magtataas nga), God is still in control.

Malamang sasabihin natin.."ha?" Yes. God is still in control. He allows the rise of electricity today. Why? I believe that there will come a day na SOBRANG LAKI RIN NG IBABABA NG PRESYO NG KURYENTE. So why worry today? Magtipid, yes. And use electricity wisely. God wants us to be stewards (people who bear fruit) of everything He entrusts to us. Pero ang pagtitipid doesn't mean deprivation. Let the people use it whenever necessary. 'Di naman pwedeng walang electric fan. :)

Malamang din we will say, "tataas na nga ang presyo ng bilihin, He still is in control?" Yep yep yep! Why? Naniniwala po ako na there will come a time that God will give us these supplies unlimitedly. Minsan nga free pa or murang-mura. :) Again it's not deprivation. 'Wag po nating tipirin ang sarili natin to the point na nangangayayat na tayo and mga tao sa paligid natin dahil sa gutom. Mayaman po si God natin bakit tayo nahihiyang manghingi? Binibigay na nga po niya ayaw pa nating tanggapin. 

Tipirin natin by budgeting. Spending discipline is budgeting. Not stinginess or kakuriputan. :)

There are misconceptions ng tao (as what God revealed to me through our pastor's preaching) kaya sila nagwo-worry sa pagtitipid at gastusin..

Misconceptions of people:

1. Poverty mentality - having excess, less, or exact (sinosobrahan, kinukulangan, o eksakto lang).

   - kapag ganito tayo, nililimitahan natin ang kakayahan ni God. He is Limitless, remember that.

2. Prosperity mentality - which is when we do good, we will be blessed by God, as they say.

  - eto 'yung paniniwalang kapag nagbigay ng 10, babalik ni God ng 100. Nope. When we give and God's storehouse overflows, that's when blessings will come. (Malachi 3:10)

3. Practical mentality - hoarding

  - we get more kasi nag-aalala tayo baka maubusan tayo. God will provide.

So why worry? 'Di po mauubos ang pera natin at pambili if we learn to budget and spend wisely with self-control. God wants us to be good stewards of the money He entrusts to us.

Budgeting again is not deprivation. Unahin po kasi natin si God before ang gastusin. Kaya may percentage tithing, for us to have percentages on everyday necessities.

Saka, Christmas naman. 'Tis the time of giving. Pero 'di natin kailangan ng madaming pera to give. If it is a product of LOVE, it's perfect in God's eyes. He looks upon your willing hearts with love, not on the gift value.

Pray for guidance on work. Make your work as your worship to God.

Remember, magkaiba po ang nagtitipid sa nagkukuripot at nagpapakastrikto. Put God first, then necessities, then leave something for others as help and for yourself. Kung ano matira, 'yun ang sa'tin.

'Wag po tayong maglalagay ng lungkot sa mga mukha ng tao lalo pa ngayon, it's Christmas time dahil sa sobrang strict natin sa gastusin and sa pag-aalala natin sa pagtaas ng bilihin. 'Wag po tayong mag-alala. Why? Kaya nga po tayo nagpray for grace and guidance, because we believe God will empower us to work. Bonus na lang po 'yung blessings. Reward ni God 'yun because we put our faith and trust in Him and to top it all, we already praised Him as He works everything out for our own good. Remember na hindi po "more work, more pay." Mali po 'yon. Just reflect Jesus' light on your workplace. Be a blessing. Be God's instrument. :)

Remember, God allowed this hikes to happen, for He is in control. By His perfect timing, He will normalize it all. 'Wag niyo na pong tanungin kung kelan 'yon. It just shows that we are opposing the will of God. Kasi we just want us to have control over the matters kung kelan. Gusto lang po natin na mangyari 'yon sa oras na gusto natin. Let God handle it. His timing is always perfect. His control is always the best. For "His ways are higher than [our] ways, and His thoughts are higher than [our] thoughts." | Isaiah 55:9 niv

Ang gawin na lang po natin is save for God, necessities, for blessing to people (save some para 'pag may nangailangan ng tulong, we can give), and the least for ourselves. :)

God's word: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. . . Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. " | Matthew 6:21, 34

Another point before this ends, we worry, because we won't let money work for us. We usually work for money. But God tells you, store treasures in heaven. One of it, is our faithful, hopeful and trusting hearts. Just let God make money work for you. Bear fruit in God's calling, and money will come serving you. Serve God.

Consider every good action you do as your worship to God and bear fruit. If we surrender our hearts to God, 'di na natin mamamalayan 'yung galaw ng pera. If we yield our heart for God, money will serve us. If our hearts are to have passion on living the purpose of God for us, that's putting treasures in heaven that cannot be destroyed.

Be money's master and a servant of God. Not money's servant. Hangga't maaga, put your money on work for you. :) After all, it's not about the money but the heart.

Glory to our God who controls everything to work out for our own good! May His unending love, peace, grace, and favor be showered upon us for us to never worry on the expenditures and everything and enable us to budget with Him as first on all priorities. Amen. :)

#BeeeHappeee

#EncourageEveryone

#iThankGodFor..

This year, many hurtful events happened in our nation, the world, etc. Government debates, earthquakes, typhoons, wars, etc. But do we ever thank God for these?

Why don't we look on the positive side of these?

1. Government schemes. It happened because God wants to reveal people who is corrupt, so they are to be replaced by next gen leaders who will stand up for a change?

2. Typhoon. Wars. Earthquakes. Many died not knowing that their death brought world peace and unity.

God allowed these trials so that He may show His glory and strength for people.  Just as how the stars twinkle in the night, so as God's power. We can clearly see Him as trials come to us. That's why His "strength is made perfect in weakness." | 2 Corinthians 12:9

As for me, I thank God for building a world and nation of unity this year. This year maybe full of trials, but look on the bright side. God used it to bring peace and unity in our world. I also thank God for opening opportunities for new Christian leaders to open up and make a change. As well as building and restoring families.

You. What are you thankful for God this year?

Glory is all to God alone. May His ever wonderful wisdom and love change our perspective on everything that happened this year. Amen. :)

#iThankGodFor

#EncourageEveryone

Mano po, Ninong!

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. Why? Because we are celebrating Jesus' first coming! Siguro iba sa'tin (especially 'yung may mga inaanak) naghahanda na para magtago. Alam na kung bakit.

Anyway, why hesitate to give to your godchildren? Give with an open heart. It's time for us now to be a blessing to others. Our age, youths, are now the training age for us to be a blessing not just on our inaanaks but to others as well (friends, families, and the homeless).

Christmas is a time for sharing. 'Di lang sa materyal na bagay nasusukat ang pagbibigay. Why? It's still the matter of our hearts. God wants our hearts to be cheerful as we give. Whether we encourage one another, give joy to people, give food or used clothes to the homeless, that's being a blessing.

Kahit wala pa tayong trabaho, we can be a blessing using our posessions. What we have naman today is not from us eh. It's God's. Now is the time for us to give back.

Misconceptions are:

• "Kailangan ko munang magtrabaho. I need work to be a blessing and give."

• "I need more work. More work, more pay."

I tell you, kahit normal na trabaho lang while we live the excellence of God, we can be a blessing to others. 'Di naman nasusukat ang value ng giving sa kung magkano ang laman ng ampao or kung gano kamahal ang regalo. As long as we give with loving hearts, that's being a blessing.

Ginagawa lang nating busy ang mga sarili natin thinking we only can give if we have more. Nope. Yes we cannot give what we do not have, but look around. We have anything we can give. Ayaw lang nating tingnan 'yung mga bagay na meron tayo. Consider these possessions as something that will put smiles on the people who needs it. Smiles reflect the joy of the heart. Ang sarap kaya sa feeling ng may napapasaya by the grace of God. :)

Gusto kasi natin 'yung bago..para 'di tayo mapahiya. Ayon. We are just thinking about our reputation. Stop being selfish. Neglect selfishness. We are giving to others not to ourselves. Anuman ang sabihin nila about the value, still it is the thought that counts. What is important is you pleased God.

Bago man o hindi, basta it came from the love and joy out of your heart, it is a blessing! Whatever we give with GENUINE LOVING HEARTS is the best and pleases our God.

Sabi nga sa kanta, "Give LOVE on Christmas day." Whether we encourage them or give them gifts, give it with LOVE, without asking anything in return. Love is not seen on the value of the gifts or food. It's seen in our ways. Not obligated, but being willing.

It's not about the value of things, but the illuminating smiles and laughters of the people we encouraged, exchanged with gifts, and prayed for. As the Scripture says, "Let us not grow weary in doing good." | Galatians 6:9

God had chosen you and me to be a blessing. God only requires one thing as we give. Not more time in working. Not having more works. It's having A LOVING AND WILLING HEART.

Real Christmas, aside from giving with LOVE, is Christ, died on the cross to give us salvation by His grace and free us from the bondage of sin.

Rejoice! For Christmas is near, and is one less Christmas nearer in the fulfillment of God's promise of redemption. :)

Are you willing to respond to the leading of God's spirit this season?

Glory to God above all things. May His grace and unfailing love and favor enable us to bring smiles, love and peace to others this Christmas season.

Merry CHRISTmas, folks with Christ! Amen.

#ManoPoNinong

#EncourageEveryone

"Mahirap lang ako, eh"

"Langit siya, lupa ako. Prinsesa/Prinisipe siya, dukha ako." Ang drama 'di ba? Pero maraming ganito sa atin, lalo sa panahon ngayon. Minamaliit natin ang sarili natin.

I'll ask you the question that my mentor asked: "Sino ang gustong minamaliit?" Wala naman 'di ba? Pero bakit ang tingin mo sa sarili mo maliit? Walang magagawa? Maralita? Dukha? Bow.

This statement depends on our mindset. Sa pag-iisip natin. What we think and believe in reflects our way of living. Sa tagalog, kung ano ang pag-iisip at pinaniniwalaan natin ang siyang kalalabasan ng pamumuhay natin. Sabi nga ni late Ka Nelson, poverty is man-made. Tama nga naman. It's in our mindsets lang naman talaga.

Isang scenario pa (na natutunan ko), lahat ng kasama mo kumakain, ikaw hindi. Ang dahilan, "wala akong pera."

Financially, oo. Pero realistically, madami. Kung sila kumakain, kumain ka din. Wala kang pambili, fine. Edi magbaon ka, maenjoy mo lang. 'Wag nating idegrade ang sarili natin. Kung ayaw nating minamaliit, 'wag nating maliitin ang sarili natin.

Our God is a generous God. He gives in His time whatever we gently ask Him. Bakit ka maghe-hestitate sa paghingi? Just make sure it's for the good of all, not just for you. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition nga. And make sure, you ask gently at may paggalang. Si God ang kinakausap natin.

And to top it all, ang daming binibigay ni God. You just have to look around. You have life, breath, family, friends, etc. Even food. Kaya nga we pray, "Give us today our daily bread." Literally and spiritually. :) Kaya nga magbaon ka kung gusto mo sumamang kumain sa friends mo. 'Wag lang choosy. Whatever God gives, whether paboritong pagkain mo man o hindi, financial or hindi, appreciate. Why? It is for our own good, for God planned everything from the start 'til end of our life and I am convinced, it will work out for our own good. He already said it in His word that He has plans to prosper us. So, why tell to ourselves na we can't?

Sabi rin ng mentor ko, "Kung dati inuuto mo 'yung sarili mo na 'di mo kaya, maybe it's time para utuin mo naman ang sarili mo na kaya mo." Why? Because God knows our futures. Nakita na niyang nagawa mo at nagprosper ka. All you have to do is to live it. :)

In case na bigyan ka naman ng pera, for example, BUDGET IT. Pero LAGING tandaan, magkaiba ang nagbu-budget sa nagkukuripot. Budgeting is setting priorities, and stinginess is nothing but worrying..like HOARDING.

* 'Di ba ang sabi ni God is put 10% of the product of your labor into His storehouse. Alam 'nyo ba kung bakit 10%? Kung bakit naka-percent? Kasi God wants us to be stewards of the money blessing He gave us. Stewards, not SPENDERS. Magkaiba din 'yon.

Put Him first in the priorities, with 10% or more, then, budget some for yourself, for the family, and spare money para 'pag may nangailangan, you may give as help. Hindi utang. Live debt-free. Love without asking anything in return. We can gain that back naman kasi through God's faithful grace. It will empower us to work as worship. :)

* Example you have 20 pesos, God first (with 2-5 pesos sa tithe box), then, 5 for family, 5 as spare to help, and 5 for self. Then watch it grow.

Remember, put God first in all. Budget, not be stingy. Kapag may nangailangan, tulong. Kapag may inilagay, may madudukot. 'Di tayo mahirap. Mayaman si God. He wants to prosper us. Mayaman din tayo. :)

God's word: "Bring the entire tithe into the storehouse so that there may be food in my temple. Test me in this matter," says the Lord  who rules over all, "to see if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until there is no room for it all." | Malachi 3:10

Picture this, if we put water continuously in a glass, it will overflow. Umaapaw. Ganun din si God. When we put our tithes in the storehouse of God, it will overflow and blessings will pour out. :) So, put God first in your budgeting priorities. Hindi, kapag nagbigay ng 10, God will replace it with 100. Let it pour out, kumbaga. He will open the gates of it. :)

Budgeting is not depriving ourselves into buying leisures, but financing our money by the wisdom and grace of God is asking Him if it is His will for us to have it, or not.

Pray for it, then ask this 4 questions on yourself: Do I want it? Do I need it? Can I pay it with cash? DOES GOD WILLED IT AND WANT IT FOR ME?

Glory to God in everything that He gives us in His perfect time. May His unending love, grace, and favor, enable us to change our perspective about ourselves. Amen. :)

#MahirapLangAko

#EncourageEveryone