This is my first step forward.

During our Cell Group meeting this afternoon we talked about Christian Convinction and how to have it. Christian Conviction is the attitude that is evident in a Christian's actions and heart. A Christian with this conviction does not go to church because of tradition, does not pray only to ask and does not do vices anymore. But the most powerful words of how to have a Christian Conviction came from one of the mothers in our group.

She told us what Pastor Jun had preached few Sundays ago. It is the power to choose. She elaborated three phrases on where can we choose from: Word over world, calling over comfort and purpose over popularity. These three phrases, I said to myself are things I will always have to remember and can serve as my guide to my everyday living.

Word over world. Even though you are the only one left not doing what the others are doing, still, choose not to do it. As the verse tells us "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
Romans 12:2 NKJV. Do not do what is acceptable to man and to the world but do what is acceptable to God. Obey His word and you can nver go wrong.

Calling over comfort. God called you for His purpose, for His plans and it requires effort and most of the time sacrifices. But how can we please God and do His purpose if we choose to be convenient? How can we do our mission if we are too lazy and be stuck in our comfort zone? Go beyond and take risks! After all you are called to do these things meaning God knows your potential and He is always faithful to you. "I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Ephesians 4:1‭-‬3 NKJV

Purpose over popularity. Every step we make, we are one step higher. People will be there to appreciate what you are doing for God's purpose. They will recognize the things you have done and they might praise you for it. But these praises are all for God's glory. It is not about the fame and the recognitions you can achieve but you will always go back to why you are doing these things.  It is for the purpose of your existence "But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth."
Exodus 9:16 NKJV

Let us not choose what is in the latter but let us choose the first! We can be a true Christian by having that Christian conviction, choosing to be righteous and choosing to please God.

"Therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord." (1 Thessalonians 3:7-8 NKJV)

The spiritual family keeps everyone alive through their faith in the Lord.

This verse tells us that Paul and his co-missionaries were kept alive or should I say protected by God because of the prayers of their friends who are also believers despite all the circumstances they had undergone. Paul also tells us that they continue to live because of their faith and settling with the Lord.

Sometimes the enemy attacks so bad that I want to quit. It keeps flooding me with visions that I don't want to see. It somehow discourages me and worse, makes me emotional and depressed. When I find myself in these kinds of situations with the feeling of neglecting God or not seeking Him even in prayer, I reach out to my Spiritual Family and asks them to pray for me. At that time, my faith is being shaken and I believe that my co-believers are staying strong, taking hold of their faith in the Lord. I trust them that their prayers will protect me and set me free from the enemy's grasps. I admit my weakness to them. and then, they give me advises that strengthen me. They give me words that I believe comes from the Lord. And after sometime, I get back to the new me.

I know that the Lord will never want me to go back to my dark times. And because I have a Spiritual Family who backs me up I truly believe that I will move forward and be made strong in my faith in the Lord. And I will do the same for them. I will grow and strengthen my faith so as to help my co-believers in this journey with Christ!

Thank you Lord that you have given me another chance to live. I lift your name on High and glorify you! I apologize if at times I neglect you and I want to shut you off, out of my life. I really don't deserve your love by what I was doing but you continue to bring me back to you through my spiritual family. Bless their lives Lord that they may continue in living for you and extending your blessings to other people as well. Help me oh Lord that I may also bless my co-believers and also the unbelievers. Make me your instrument to help them live for you. Thank you Lord for all the love I receive each day. All these I pray, in Jesus' name. Amen.

“He is out of his mind.” Mark‬ ‭3:21‬

Since last year, I started riding the bandwagon of the saying YOLO - "You Only Live Once". I did all the crazy and out-of-this-world stuff. I spent all my personal savings to go to Japan, buy merchandise, travel every three months, party all night, drink all you can, eat all you can and many more. All this in belief that we only live once. If you don't get to do things in this life, when?

It was also the time when I realized that indeed, we only live once. On a more serious note, how can I make this life count? How can I say that in the end, my life was not in vain?

One of the "crazy" things I did was to have one whole week a month of work. Five days spent on my day job, part-time teaching on Saturdays, attend my classes for my master's degree on Sundays. Who's sane enough to not want to have a weekend? Guess, it's not me. But why did I want to live this crazy lifestyle? Because it's here where I find fulfillment in life. Inside me is a fire burning to reach out to people and share my life. I feel like with this crazy stunt, I can reach out to people and share a piece of me with a hope that it can help them out or at least make them smile. If I can do that, I can say that I had a life well-lived.

YOLO, my friends. Let's make it count.

Father in Heaven, you gave us this gift of life. Grant us your guidance so we can live it to the fullest.

"for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes." - Proverbs 24:16

“For God, made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:21, LASB).

Christ was born to free us from sin and made us worthy to be with God.

We are loved by God. He wanted us all to be with Him. Through the birth of Christ, his death and resurrection, his existence of being pure and righteousness our sins have been taken away and we are given another chance. 

The scripture does not say to us that since Christ had been sacrificed to take away our sins that whatever we do to commit sin today and tomorrow is acceptable and that we are still going to be with God. But what it tells us from the phrase "so that we could be made right with God through Christ" is that Christ's existence makes us aware of what should be done in order for us to be acceptable and worthy to be with God. Through Christ we know what is the right thing to do. Through Christ we know the right path to which we should walk on. Through Christ we know how we should live our lives.

It's never easy when all we knew from the start was to do whatever we like not thinking that it can be right or wrong. But what is important is that when we already know Christ we are able to recognize what is right and wrong. We have that kind of discernment to do things acceptable to God. Although at times the enemy attacks are strong, through Christ who strengthen us, we can overcome them. Maybe not as fast but what is good is that we are learning and improving every single time we encounter those situations. Every step is a new opportunity to be better and soon we will be "right" and be worthy to be with God.

We can do this!

Do you remember your childhood days when you always defy your Mom's instructions, such as playing outside the house when the sun was totally up, or even not doing household chores?

"One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." ~ Proverbs 18:24

Today I learned that God doesn't show likeness or fondness to specific people - He acts according to what is needed by all of His children, whether they are sinner or not, and whether how much they struggle in life or how wealthy they are.

I couldn't stop myself from feeling very envious when one of my relatives or friends get to have something so good in their lives - a brand new house, a new car, a promotion on their job, travelling abroad, and many more. Recently, a work colleague finally got his first brand new car. When I heard the news, insecurities came rushing inside of me. He is someone who is much younger than me, but then he has a brand new car. And even a girlfriend!

Then I looked at myself, asking "what have I done that I couldn't get the same things he has?"

Reading last January 9's Didache reflection (from Bro. George Gabriel of The Feast), I realized that it is always in God's perfect plans that such things happen. In a game, one will win and one will lose, but everything doesn't stop in just one game. If I am losing in all the games (challenges, difficulties and the like) I have right now, I know someday that there will be much more games that I can win, through the help of God. I believe the loses I have are part of His perfect plans me - to learn what I have to, in order to improve and become better. I am also aware I lack dedication towards what I do and putting Him as the center, but now that I've become exposed to this truth, I will start dedicating all the things I do to Him, and will trust in Him more than ever.

“But you have come...to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” (Hebrews 12:22a, 24)

I was not born for darkness but of light. I was born because of God. I came here to be with Jesus and God, know His word and experience His promises.

This chapter and verse reminds us that God did not lead us to a world of darkness, that He did not want us to suffer, instead He leads us to Jesus whose blood was shed to heal us, make us whole and perfect, and most especially to save us from sin giving us what we truly deserve as His children.

In every bad situation I had in the past, I saw a lot of negativity. It lead me to depression, doubt, disappointments and caused me to sin. I was always down and very emotional. The pain I felt in my heart caused me to have a hard time to breathe. I can't focus on my work and the things that I had to do. I don't want to wake up and go over another day feeling all the sadness I was caught up with. It was like a domino effect.

I don't want to go back to that. I don't want to feel the hurt anymore. So I have decided to come back to God. The journey has been difficult since the first day. There were a lot of distractions that the enemy keeps on throwing at me and I was having a hard time to move on to my new self. But as I reflect, does God wants me to go back to the old self that He wanted me to let go? That old self who caused me to suffer? That old self who only felt pain and hurting, with temporary happiness? That old self who was uninspired at work? That old self who caused me to be blind and closed to what I truly deserve?

I should not go back to my old self, I declare in Jesus' name, for I have come to experience God's love through Jesus. Lord I pray that you continue to push me to your love even it takes me a lot of rebuking and tests. I will take all the challenges I have to go through along with your help and the wisdom that the Holy Spirit will impart in my heart. I know Lord that You do not want me to come to where I am right now to suffer, instead You wanted me here to give me the life You have planned for me which I truly deserve. Thank you Lord that you continuously remind me and guide me. I will seek you in every day of my life so that I will meet the purpose of why I have come to You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

"Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do,  forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead"
Philippians 3:13 NKJV

Instead of dwelling on the past, focus on the future.

The Lord doesn't want us to stay on a certain experience or situation that had happened before where we can get stuck and be miserable until the last days. He wants us to move on, be better and be prepared for the life of eternity.

As I have entered a new chapter of this life I looked back on what had happened last year. So much pain and disappointments were brought to me that caused me to be ashamed of myself and do a lot of sins that even affected the people around me. I even wanted to take my life because of depression, thinking if I do it, there will be no more pain. And as I reflect, what if I really did take my life? I wouldn't be here anymore. My family and friends will be sad. And most of all, I will have failed God.

Thank you Lord that I have realized all these through the Holy Spirit as you speak to me. Guide me Lord as I minister this word, Your word, to my family and friends who had been suffering from bad experiences in the past because dwelling in the past will never free us, instead it will imprison us to hurt all the time. Lord let me not speak to them but it should be You who speaks to them. By this Lord, I ask You to open our hearts and let us surrender everything to You. Let nothing be left, not even one. Let us focus only on Your plans and look forward to it. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

“… the water that had become wine…” – John 2:9

“The way we came to know love was that he laid down his life for us; so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” 1 John‬ ‭3:16‬

Aside from my day job, during Saturdays I work as a part-time instructor. It gives me joy to share what I know to the future generation and guide them to maximize their potential during that limited time I have with them. Though a lot of my friends ask me why I still do it (because I already have a job), I would say, "I am teaching because I love what I'm doing. In sharing my experiences, I find fulfillment in life." Cheesy, but true.

Everyone of us has something to share. When we get others to learn of these experiences, we help them learn something new; something that can potentially help them in their daily lives. Like the students I teach. Today, we are encouraged to share the love of God to others because we are accountable for our brothers and sisters. We are here to spread this truth.

Lord, allow me to open my heart and continuously share my experiences to others so that they may know of your love. Amen.

"He said to them, 'Come, and you will see.'" John 1:39

I watched a movie last night despite the feedback I received that it's not good. I contested because I saw the trailer and for me it looks okay. Off I went to the cinema and realized that it wasn't my cup of tea. It wasn't that bad of a movie; it's just okay. Will I be able to say right off the bat that I hate it if I haven't really tried watching it? No, I wouldn't. If I believed that it was not good based on another's perception, I would've missed the experience of discovering what it really is.

We are called to follow Jesus. If today you are having doubts on His promise of love and peace, I encourage you to try. Try to pray. Try to go to church. Try to read the Bible. Along the way, I pray that you discover what He has in store for us.

Lord, thank you for guiding us in our journey of getting to know You better. We entrust our lives to You. Amen.

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." (Philippians 2: 3-4)

Do not do things that you can benefit from and look on how it can affect your life, instead do things that can benefit others and look on how it can affect others' lives.

This verse reminds us to be humble enough not to think always for ourselves, but rather, think of others. Sometimes we think we can do these certain things because it will make us happy and satisfied not being sensitive enough that other people around us might get hurt. An example of this is when a man commits adultery because of boredom with his wife and family. He searches for some woman who can entertain him and give him what he wants for his desires and satisfaction, not considering the feelings of his wife, family or even the woman he uses. Another example would be a running official in an election. He will do everything he can to win, even kill his rivals and hurt the families of these men. He will cheat on the election results and the people under his new government will suffer because of him focusing only on how he can be rich and powerful.

I remember Jesus' second commandment to 'love your neighbor as yourself.' This is one application of that commandment. Before I make a move I must first think of the consequences it may bring to the people around me. I should not speak of things that will just make me laugh or others laugh knowing that it might offend a person whom we are talking about. I should not tell someone anything that is wrong like bad-mouthing which is unacceptable to God for it will hurt that person surely. I should not disrespect anyone just because things did not go my way or because I was disappointed. I should not hurt or invlove anyone to suffer or to sin just to compensate the pain and desires I am feeling.

Lord God, I pray to you in the most high! I exalt your name and praise you Lord! Thank you for another chance to hear you today and letting me live to experience your love through my family and friends. Lord, I thank you for the joy you keep placing in my heart even at times I feel sad. Thank you that there are people that you use to bless my life here on earth. Lord, bless them all and heal them all. Lord, forgive me for I have committed sins today. Let me prove to you in the coming days that I will not do it again. Lord, I also pray that you let me think, before I speak, let me think before I do things, and let me think in the ways of the holy spirit and not my own. For I know that it is your way if it comes from the holy spirit. Lord, stop me when you know that I am already in the phase of hurting someone. Don't let me go on with what I do if it is only for myself, rather let me do things for others. Lead me Lord to do things for your will which is for the benefit of all your children. In Jesus' name, I pray all these. Amen.

“He said: “I am ‘the voice of one crying out in the desert, “Make straight the way of the Lord,”’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”” John‬ ‭1:23‬

Last 2013, the foreign band I loved since I was in elementary held a concert here in the Philippines. I was excited to watch them perform live. The show started with a local band performing - an opening act - to warm up the audience. Then after a couple of songs, the band started to perform and the the rest were history.

John the Baptist served as the opening act for the Jesus. We may ask - why is there a need for an opening act? Why not just get straight to the main event? It is to strengthen our faith and prepare us for salvation that is Christ himself.

There are things in life that we just can't do right off the bat - getting a job, buying a house, travelling abroad, to name a few. All these things requires preparation. Just like in the coming of Jesus, John needed to deliver the message beforehand and tell people what should be done. So that when the right time comes, we are ready to embrace what is in front of us.

Lord, help us make way for the Lord and tell of this Good News to everyone so we can all experience Your grace. Amen.

"For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him" (Philippians 1:29)

Suffering for Christ is expected when you believe in Him.

When people believes in something, in order for them to stay in that belief, they will do sacrifices, deprivation and take whatever circumstances they may dwell in. For example, when we believe that if we love someone, we can do everything for them despite of the situations we are in or we might take. OFWs believed that if they work abroad they can provide for their family. Despite the fact that they know that they will miss their family and they will be missed, they will experience a lot of changes and adjustments, they will have uncomfortable situations with new people and places and a whole lot more sufferings, yet they strive to go out of the country to do what they believe in. The same goes with believing in Jesus as what Paul has described in the verse.

As a believer, at first I was afraid. Afraid that my lifestyle will be different and I had to sacrifice time for myself and my family. As I go on, I came to think of how can I give tithes if I have a lot of expenses. And when I did give my tithes for the first time, I felt weary everyday if I can survive until the next pay day. Just recently, a friend was angry because I commented on his post which were offending believers. He had insulted me and his friend and I felt disrespected. I carried it in my heart the whole weak. And everytime I remember it, I feel heaviness in my heart.

But because I believe in the Lord, every single time, He helps me and takes away my fears, doubts and struggles. Through prayer I feel His healing. I believe in Him that He will do what He can to take away my sufferings.

Lord, I praise You and exalt your holy name. I thank You for this new year and new start that You have given me. Thank You for the greatest chance You always give to me when I wake up from my everyday sleep and You managed to take my hand to get me up and running again. Forgive me Lord for all the sins I have caused to hurt you and your children. All my shortcomings last year were brought by the sufferings I had which I intentionally dwell into causing a lot of sins. I will continue to believe in You despite the sufferings it will offer and stop dwelling in them. For I know, that in You, I will be saved from it all at the end of days and will feel Your joy and love all throughout our journey. Lord, I am excited to face this new year of sufferings which I consider as great challenges. Excited because I know that in every fight You will be there to defend me and help me get up to stand and face the enemies we bound to defeat! I declare and claim that 2017 is our year Lord God! We will conquer and be victorious! I pray Lord that You always remind me of what I need to do and what is right to do. Give me signs and whispers only from You and please make a way to supress those coming from the enemy. Show me Lord the right way towards Your light and truth. Lord, always hold my hand and give me a hug in every suffering I will encounter this year. Bless your children always and heal them in every aspect of their lives as they also bless others. Don't let them be lost again because of the sufferings that they may have, instead, use me or other people to make them stay with You. And Lord God, I pray for a humble and forgiving heart especially to those people who will cause suffering to my heart. Always remind me that the enemy will lure me to feel bad about them and that they are just blinded. In Your holy name. Jesus, I pray. Amen.

“And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.”‭‭ Luke‬ ‭2:19

There were a lot of things that happened in my life in 2016. I was given a promotion, started to coach five (5) teams and learned new skills. For me and my family, we finally had our own house. I also started living independently and pursued my graduate studies. I fulfilled my childhood dream of going to Japan to which I didn't realize I will at any point in my life. I also get to travel with my mom and Ray to Boracay and enjoyed every second of it. I also met new friends who share the same passion in singing and strengthened relationships I treasure the most. It was a year full of blessings.

2016 was also the year where I was at my lowest. This is the year where I started to get eaten alive by stress and pressure in the workplace. I compromised my health in order to get things done. I hated people to the bones. I thought and spoke ill about them. I failed to understand. Pride overtook my life. My debts piled up leaving me almost penniless. But I need to put on the facade of a perfect person so I just sucked it up and told myself, I can do it, even if I can't. Then I started questioning my existence - just like Rick Warren's book - what on earth am I here for? I was stuck. I didn't know what to do. I resorted to drinking the unanswered questions inside of me, hoping that it will help me forget and get moving. But it wasn't the case. I didn't see everyday as another day to change and start over again. It was an endless hole of frustration and anxiety.

But this year was the year I get to know God better. He has shown Himself during the darkest days of my life. The days when I thought I can't anymore, He will embrace me and assure me that I still can. That I can get over that hell of a life I've been in. I can if I just hold onto Him and keep my faith. I did. I fell many times and refused but I tried again. Up to now, I can't say that I am 100% okay; but I am holding on to His promise that one day, I can. My faith is my weapon.

Now, 2017 is here. A fresh start for each and everyone of us. I declare that with everything that I have that this year will be another year to grow and improve as a person. God has equipped us with His gifts and His truth that He will be with us in every step of the way. Just like Mama Mary in the gospel today, I keep all what has happened in 2016 in my heart, whether good or bad, because of these things didn't happen, I won't be the person I am now. Let us be grateful with every day the Lord has given us for this will lead us to be a better version of ourselves than we were in the past. God bless us all. Happy new year!

Lord, I pray for each person reading this that they may embrace this new year with open arms. Guide us to be the greatest person we can ever be! Amen.