God in the time of Corona Virus Part 1

1 Samuel 17:1-58 MBB

Scripture:

'Nagsama-sama ang mga hukbong Filisteo sa Soco na sakop ng Juda upang lusubin ang Israel. Nagkampo sila sa Efes-Dammim na nasa pagitan ng Soco at Azeka. Si Saul naman at ang mga Israelita ay nagkampo sa may libis ng Ela, at doo'y naghanda sila sa pakikipaglaban sa mga Filisteo. Magkaharap ang dalawang pangkat: ang mga Filisteo'y nasa isang burol, at nasa kabila naman ang mga Israelita; isang libis ang nakapagitan sa kanila. Isang pangunahing mandirigma ang lumabas mula sa kampo ng mga Filisteo.

Ang pangalan niya'y Goliat, at siya'y mula sa lunsod ng Gat. Ang kanyang taas ay halos tatlong metro. Hinamon niya ang mga Israelita na makipaglaban sa kanya. Tanso ang kanyang helmet, gayundin ang kanyang kasuotang pandigma na tumitimbang ng 57 kilo. Tanso rin ang nakabalot sa kanyang binti at hita, pati ang tabak na nakasakbat sa kanyang balikat. Ang hawakan ng sibat niya'y napakalaki at ang bakal naman na tulis nito ay tumitimbang ng dalawampung libra. Nasa unahan niya ang tagadala ng kanyang kalasag.

Sumigaw si Goliat sa mga Israelita, “Bakit nakahanay kayong lahat diyan para lumaban? Ako'y isang Filisteo at kayo nama'y mga alipin ni Saul. Pumili na lang kayo ng ilalaban sa akin. Kapag ako'y natalo, alipinin ninyo kaming lahat; ngunit kapag siya naman ang natalo, kayo ang aalipinin namin. Hinahamon ko ngayon ang hukbo ng Israel. Pumili kayo ng ilalaban ninyo sa akin!” Nang marinig ito ni Saul at ng mga Israelita, nanghina ang kanilang loob at sila'y natakot.

Si David ay anak ni Jesse na isang Efratita mula sa Bethlehem, Juda. Nang panahong iyon, si Jesse ay mahina na dahil sa katandaan. Walo ang anak niyang lalaki; Si David ang pinakabata. Sina Eliab, Abinadab at Samma, ang tatlong pinakamatatanda niyang anak ay kasama ni Saul sa labanan. Habang sila'y kasama ni Saul, ang bunso namang si David ay pabalik-balik kay Saul at sa Bethlehem para alagaan ang mga tupa ng kanyang ama. Sa loob ng apatnapung araw, umaga't hapong hinahamon ni Goliat ang mga Israelita. Isang araw, inutusan ni Jesse si David, “Anak, dalhin mo agad itong limang salop ng sinangag na trigo at sampung tinapay sa iyong mga kapatid na nasa kampo. Ibigay mo naman ang sampung hiwang kesong ito sa pinuno nila. Tingnan mo na rin ang kalagayan nila at ibalita mo sa akin. Mag-uwi ka ng kahit anong bagay na makapagpapatunay na galing ka nga roon.” Ang tatlong anak ni Jesse ay kasama nga ni Saul at ng mga Israelita sa libis ng Ela at nakikipaglaban sa mga Filisteo.

Kinabukasan, maagang bumangon si David. Ipinagbilin niya sa iba ang mga tupang inaalagaan at nagpunta sa lugar ng labanan, dala ang pagkaing ipinabibigay ng kanyang ama. Nang dumating siya sa kampo, palusob na ang buong hukbo at isinisigaw ang kanilang sigaw pandigma. Nagharap na ang mga pangkat ng Israelita at ng mga Filisteo. Iniwan ni David sa tagapag-ingat ng kagamitan ang kanyang dala at tumuloy siya sa lugar ng labanan upang kumustahin ang kanyang mga kapatid. Samantalang sila'y nag-uusap, tumayo na naman si Goliat sa unahan ng mga Filisteo at muling hinamon ang mga Israelita. Narinig ito ni David. Nang makita si Goliat, ang mga Israelita ay nagtakbuhan dahil sa matinding takot.

Sinabi nila, “Tingnan ninyo siya! Pakinggan ninyo ang kanyang hamon sa Israel! Sinumang makapatay sa kanya ay gagantimpalaan ng hari: bibigyan ng kayamanan, ipakakasal sa prinsesa, at ang buong sambahayan ng kanyang ama ay hindi na pagbabayarin pa ng buwis.” Tinanong ni David sa mga katabi niya, “Ano raw ang gantimpala sa sinumang makakapatay sa Filisteong iyan at sa makakapag-alis ng kahihiyan sa Israel? At sino ba ang paganong ito na humahamon sa hukbo ng Diyos na buháy?” “Tulad ng narinig mo, ganoon ang gagawin ng hari sa makakapatay sa Filisteong iyan,” sagot ng mga kausap niya.

Narinig ni Eliab, ang panganay na kapatid ni David ang pakikipag-usap niya sa mga kawal. Nagalit ito kay David at sinabi, “Anong ginagawa mo rito? At kanino mo iniwan ang iilang tupa na pinapaalagaan sa iyo? Alam ko kung anong nasa isip mo! Gusto mo lang manood ng labanan.” Sumagot si David, “Bakit, ano ba ang ginawa ko? Masama bang magtanong?” Tinalikuran niya si Eliab at nagtanong sa iba, ngunit ganoon din ang sagot sa kanya. Nakarating kay Saul ang mga sinabi ni David at ipinatawag niya ito.

Pagdating kay Saul, sinabi ni David, “Hindi po tayo dapat masiraan ng loob dahil lang sa Filisteong iyon. Ako po ang lalaban sa kanya.” Sinabi ni Saul, “Hindi mo kaya ang Filisteong iyon! Batambata ka pa, samantalang siya'y isang mahusay na mandirigma mula pa sa kanyang kabataan.” Ngunit sinabi ni David kay Saul, “Ako po ang nag-aalaga sa kawan ng aking ama. Kapag ang isa sa mga tupang inaalagaan ko ay tinatangay ng leon o oso, hinahabol ko po ito at inaagaw ang tupa. Kapag hinarap ako ng leon o ng oso, hinahawakan ko ito sa panga at pinapatay. Nakapatay na po ako ng mga leon at mga oso. Isasama ko po sa mga ito ang Filisteong iyon sapagkat ang nilalait niya'y ang hukbo ng Diyos na buháy.” Idinugtong pa ni David, “Iniligtas ako ni Yahweh mula sa mga mababangis na leon at mga oso. Ililigtas din niya ako sa kamay ng Filisteong iyon.” Kaya't sinabi ni Saul, “Kung gayon, labanan mo siya at samahan ka nawa ni Yahweh.” At ipinasuot niya kay David ang kanyang kasuotang pandigma: ang helmet at ang tansong pambalot sa katawan. Nang maisakbat na ni David ang tabak ni Saul at sinubukang lumakad, hindi siya halos makahakbang sapagkat hindi siya sanay sa ganoong kasuotan. Kaya sinabi niya kay Saul, “Hindi ko na po gagamitin ang mga ito.” At hinubad niya ang nasabing kasuotang pandigma.

Pagkatapos, dinampot niya ang kanyang tungkod. Namulot siya ng limang makikinis na bato sa sapa, inilagay sa kanyang supot na pampastol at lumakad upang harapin si Goliat. Si Goliat naman ay lumakad ding papalapit kay David, sa hulihan ng tagadala ng kanyang panangga. Nang makita niyang si David ay isa lamang kabataang may maamong hitsura, nilait niya ito, at pakutyang tinanong, “Anong akala mo sa akin? Aso ba ang lalabanan mo at may dala kang patpat?” At si David ay sinumpa ng Filisteo sa pangalan ng kanyang diyos. Sinabi pa niya, “Halika nga rito at nang maipakain ko ang bangkay mo sa mga ibon at mga hayop.” Sumagot si David, “Ang dala mo'y tabak, sibat at pantusok, ngunit lalabanan kita sa pangalan ni Yahweh, ang Makapangyarihang Diyos ng Israel na iyong hinahamak. Ngayong araw na ito'y ibibigay ka ni Yahweh sa aking mga kamay! Pababagsakin kita at pupugutin ko ang ulo mo. At ipapakain ko sa mga ibon at sa mga mababangis na hayop ang mga bangkay ng mga kawal ng hukbong Filisteo. Sa gayon, malalaman ng buong daigdig na may Diyos sa Israel. At makikita ng lahat ng narito na makakapagligtas si Yahweh kahit walang tabak at sibat. Kay Yahweh ang labanang ito at ibinigay na niya kayo sa aming mga kamay.”

Nagpatuloy ng paglapit si Goliat. Patakbo siyang sinalubong ni David sa lugar ng labanan. Dumukot siya ng bato sa kanyang supot at tinirador niya si Goliat. Tinamaan ito sa noo at bumaon ang bato roon. Si Goliat ay pasubsob na bumagsak sa lupa. Natalo nga ni David si Goliat sa pamamagitan ng tirador at bato. Napatay niya ito kahit wala siyang tabak. Patakbong lumapit si David, tumayo sa likod ni Goliat, hinugot ang tabak ni Goliat mula sa suksukan nito, at pinugutan ng ulo.

Nang makita ng mga Filisteo na patay na ang kanilang pangunahing mandirigma, sila'y nagtakbuhan. Sumigaw ang mga kawal ng Israel at Juda at hinabol nila ang mga Filisteo hanggang sa Gat, sa may pagpasok ng Ekron. Naghambalang sa daan ang bangkay ng mga Filisteo, mula sa Saaraim hanggang sa Gat at Ekron. At nang magbalik ang mga Israelita buhat sa paghabol sa mga Filisteo, hinalughog nila ang kampo ng mga ito at kinuha ang lahat ng kanilang magustuhan. Dinala ni David sa Jerusalem ang ulo ni Goliat, ngunit iniuwi niya sa kanyang tolda ang mga sandata nito.

Nakita ni Saul nang sinusugod ni David si Goliat. Itinanong niya sa pinuno ng kanyang hukbo, “Abner, kaninong anak ang batang iyon?” “Hindi ko po alam, Kamahalan,” sagot ni Abner. “Kung gayo'y ipagtanong mo kung sino ang kanyang ama,” utos ng hari. Nang magbalik si David, sinalubong siya ni Abner at sinamahan sa hari, dala pa rin ang ulo ni Goliat. At tinanong siya ni Saul, “Kanino kang anak, binata?” Sumagot si David, “Anak po ako ni Jesse na taga-Bethlehem.”'

1 Samuel 17:1-58 MBB

Devotion:

Magangdang araw po sa inyo. Nitong mga nakaraang araw ay nagkaroon tayo ng matiging adjustment sa ating buhay dahil sa pagkalat ng CoVid-19 virus dito sa ating bansa. Ngayon po ay naka-community quarantine po ang NCR. Ninanais po nating mapabagal kung hindi man mapatigil ang pagkalat ng virus na ito sa ating bansa. Bukod pa rito ay ang pagtaas pa din ng bilang ng mga nagpopositibo sa CoViD-19. Kung tama po ako, 98 na po ang positive ngayon, according sa report ng DOH.

Isa po sa dulot nitong ganitong pangyayari sa ating bansa at maging sa buong mundo ay takot. Napapanood na natin ang panic buying ng mga tao sa grocery stores. Nagsimula sa pagkaubos ng mga alcohol, ngayon, maging mga pagkain at makikitang marami nang namimili. Palaging nanag mahaba ang pila sa mga grocery. Panic-buying ika nga. Kung hindi tayo mag-iingat sa ating mga sarili, kahit tayo ay maaring kainin ng takot ng unti-unting lumalamon sa ating bayan.

Sa ating scripture na sa 1 Samuel 17, matatagpuan natin ang maaring idulot ng takot sa ating buhay. Matatapuan din natin ang maaring maging solusyon upang ang takot ay mapaglabanan. Bilang mga anak ng Dios, hindi tayo dapat kinakain ng takot, kundi pananalig dahil hindi naman Nawala ang Dios sa pagkahawak sa mundo, hindi Siya natutulog, hindi Siya bumaba sa Kanyang trono.  

Ano ba ang naidudulot ng takot:

1.     Nakakapanghina (v.11). Sa mga panahon ng mga krisis at mga isyu sa buhay, sa bahay at maging sa lipunan, kailangan ng katatagan at kalakasan upang mapagtagumpayan ang anumang problemang ating kinakaharap. Kapag humihina ang ating kalooban, unti-unting nitong kakainin ang ating lakas at pag-asa; at nag-iiba ang ating pananaw sa buhay. Ang buhay na puno ng saya ay mapapalitan ng lungkot at dusa. Ang nakikita na natin ay ang kalakihan ng problema at nawawala ang kalakasan upang paglabanan ang mga ito.

2.     Nakakaparalisa (v.16). Isa sa mga maoobserbahan natin sa kwento ay apatnapung araw na na naghahamon si Goliat, pero walang sinuman ang gusto lumaban kay Goliat. Hindi na maka-usad ang buhay, nandoon na lang sila sa Ela, naghihintay na may lalaban kay Goliat pero tumagal na ng apatnapung araw silang nagtitigan tuwing umaga at hapon ngunit wala pa naman. Naparalisa na sila ng takot kay Goliat. Sa panahon ng krisis at problema, kapag naunahan tayo ng takot, maaring dumating sa punto ng ating buhay na paralisado na rin tayo, walang pag-usad sa buhay, walang pagsasaayos sa mga pangyayari at pagsuko na anumang krisis na nararanasan ay permanente nang kasama sa buhay.

3.     Pagpapanggap/Denial (v.20-24). Makikita natin na sa umagang pagdating ni David sa kampo, naglabasan ang mga Israelita, palusob ang mga pangkat sa bawat isa, ngunit nang lumabas sa Goliat, nagtakbuhan sila sa matinding takot. Sa aking palagay, ganoon naman araw-araw sa loob ng 40 days ang kanilang nararanasan. Nandiyan si Goliat laging naghahamon tuwing umaga’t hapon. Wala naming pinagkaiba. Lumabas ang mga hukbo ng mga Israelita na akala mo’y handang lumaban, pero nung lumabas na si Goliat, nagtakbuhan pabalik ng kampo. Maraming mga tao, nagpapanggap na okay at maayos at ayaw kilalanin ang totoong sitwayson na nanagyayari sa kanilang buhay. Sasabihin nilang kaya ko naman ang sarili ko, okay naman ako, pero ang katotohanan ay may dinadalang mga isyu o problema sa buhay. Pagpapanggap na walang dapat kaharapin, pero ang katotohanan ay maaring kinakain na ng takot sa kalooban.

4.     Galit (v28). Nagalit si Eliab kay David. Isa sa mga responses ng takot ay galit. Kapag may mga taong nag-cocomment sa ating mga pinagdadaanan na animo’y hindi nila naiintindihan ang sitwayson na ating kinakaharap, ang reaksyon nila ay galit. Ang iba naman ay isinisisi sa iba ang ang dahilan kung bakit may pinagdadaanan. Pinoproject natin ang ating takot sa ibang tao sa pamamagitan ng galit. Sasabihin natin ‘wala kasi kayong alam, o ‘di kaya, ‘hindi niyo kasi ako naiintindihan’; ang katotohanan ay may takot sila sa puso nila na hindi na nila alam ang gagawin kaya napakadaling itago ito at ibuhos sa kapwa sa pamamagitan ng galit. (Bakit kapag unti-unti nang nauubos an budget sa bahay ay napakadaling mag-away-away o kagalitan ang mga anak o ang asawa; takot na nauusi sa galit).

Nang pumasok si David sa kampo, siya ay nag-introduce ng isang pananaw na madalas ay iniiwan natin at hindi natin kinikilala kaya tayo ang nilalamon ng takot. Kaya tayo nauuwi sa panghihina, kaparalisahan, pagpapanggap/denial at galit. Nakakalimutan nating isama si Lord sa usapan ng krisis o isyu. Madalas kasi tinitignan natin ang ating isyu sa ating pansariling pananaw, sa mga nakasanayan, sa kinalakihan, sa kung paano kasi ako ganito na. At iyon ang ipinaglalaban natin. Kung babasahin natin ang kwento, ang pocus ay sa laki ni Goliat, sa mga kagamitan niya, sa sibat, espada, kalasag at iba pa. At ganoon ang nangyayari sa atin tuwing may isyu tayo, nakikita natin ang problema at habang araw-araw naghahamon ang problema, lalu siyang lumalaki sa ating pananaw, mas lalu nating nakikita ang detalye ng dapat nating kaharapin, nakikita natin ang ating kaliitan at dahil sa ibinabatay natin sa ating mga pansariling pananaw ang ating kinakaharap, unti unti nga tayong nanghihina, napaparalisa, ang iba’y in-denial na lang, at ang iba’y nabubuhos sa galit sa kapwa at maging sa sarili.

Basahin natin ang mga sumusunod sa verse kung papaano ipinasok ni David si Lord sa usapan tungkol kay Goliat:

·      'Tinanong ni David sa mga katabi niya, “Ano raw ang gantimpala sa sinumang makakapatay sa Filisteong iyan at sa makakapag-alis ng kahihiyan sa Israel? At sino ba ang paganong ito na humahamon sa hukbo ng Diyos na buháy?” '1 Samuel 17:26

·      'Ngunit sinabi ni David kay Saul, “Ako po ang nag-aalaga sa kawan ng aking ama. Kapag ang isa sa mga tupang inaalagaan ko ay tinatangay ng leon o oso, hinahabol ko po ito at inaagaw ang tupa. Kapag hinarap ako ng leon o ng oso, hinahawakan ko ito sa panga at pinapatay. Nakapatay na po ako ng mga leon at mga oso. Isasama ko po sa mga ito ang Filisteong iyon sapagkat ang nilalait niya'y ang hukbo ng Diyos na buháy.” Idinugtong pa ni David, “Iniligtas ako ni Yahweh mula sa mga mababangis na leon at mga oso. Ililigtas din niya ako sa kamay ng Filisteong iyon.” Kaya't sinabi ni Saul, “Kung gayon, labanan mo siya at samahan ka nawa ni Yahweh.” '1 Samuel 17:34-37

·      'Sumagot si David, “Ang dala mo'y tabak, sibat at pantusok, ngunit lalabanan kita sa pangalan ni Yahweh, ang Makapangyarihang Diyos ng Israel na iyong hinahamak. Ngayong araw na ito'y ibibigay ka ni Yahweh sa aking mga kamay! Pababagsakin kita at pupugutin ko ang ulo mo. At ipapakain ko sa mga ibon at sa mga mababangis na hayop ang mga bangkay ng mga kawal ng hukbong Filisteo. Sa gayon, malalaman ng buong daigdig na may Diyos sa Israel. At makikita ng lahat ng narito na makakapagligtas si Yahweh kahit walang tabak at sibat. Kay Yahweh ang labanang ito at ibinigay na niya kayo sa aming mga kamay.” '1 Samuel 17:45-47

Nang kausap ni David ang mga kawal, ang hari at maging si Goliat mismo, palaging kasama ang pagbanggit tungkol sa Dios. Ipinasok ni David ang Dios, dahil sa pananaw ni David ang lahat ng buhay ay dapat tignan sa pananaw ng Dios—Ano ng aba ang sinasabi ng Dios tungkol sa kinakaharap nating ito.

Maaring sa iilan ay korni o kababawan, pero bilang mga anak ng Dios, hinding-hindi dapat mawawala ang Dios sa usapan ng ating buhay. Sa lahat ng aspeto ng ating buhay dapat may ‘say’ si Lord. Siya Lord ang nagbibigay ng maayos at tamang pananaw kung papaano natin dapat kaharapin ang ating mga kinakaharap sa buhay. Dapat laging bukas tayo sa sasabihin ng Dios. Kaya dapat laging bukas at binabasa natin ang ating mga Bibliya at nananalangin; upang ang ating komunikasyon sa Dios ay bukas.

Sa kalauna’y natalo si Goliat at nanalo si David. Ito ang ginagawa ng Dios sa isang buhay na laging Siyang nakapaloob. Sa mga panahon na nanghihina at napaparalisa, nagpapanggap at nagagalit na ang mga nakapaligid sa atin, ang mga anak ng Dios na hindi kinakalimutan ang Dios sa usapan at laging namumuhay ayon sa Kanyang pananaw (dahil babad sa presensya ng Dios sa pamamagitan ng pagbabasa ng Bibliya, pananalangin at pagsamba) ang nagtatagumpay.

Sa pagtatapos po, ano po ba ang pwede nating gawin bilang application ng ating pagmumuni:

1.     Itong pong panahon ng 30 days community quarantine po natin ay gamitin po nating panahon upang pasiglahin ang ating relasyon sa Dios. Maglaan po tayo ng mas maraming panahon upang magbasa ng bibliya at manalangin. Kailangan natin ang pag-asa, pananaw at kapayapaan ng Dios sa panahong ito. Manonood po tayo ng balita ngunit pagkatapos po nating manood ng balita ay mananalangin po tayo bilang maayos na response sa ating mga napanood.

2.     Ito pong susunod na 30 pong araw ay panahon po na karamihan ng ating mga kapamilya ay nasa bahay. Hindi po ini-encourage ang ating sinuman na magsilabas ng bahay. Ito po ang panahon din upang palakasin ang ating relasyon sa ating pamilya. Panahon po ito upang ibaba ang cellphone at patayin ang TV at mag-usap-usap bilang isang pamilya. Kumain ng sabay-sabay sa almusal, tanghalian at hapunan. (Sa mga magulang, ipilit niyo po na sabay-sabay. Nasanay na ang ating buhay na tila hiwa-hiwalay tayo at may kanya-kanyang galaw sa ating pamilya, ito po ay isang opportunidad upang ibalik ang sigla bilang isang pamilya). Ito rin po ang panahon upang manalangin ng sama-sama, mag-aral ng salita ng Dios ng sama at sumamba ng sama-sama bilang pamilya. (note: isa po sa pinakanakakalungkot na nangyayari dahil sa quarantine ng mga positive sa Corona virus ay pagdaanan ang sakit ng mag-isa at mamatay mag-isa; imagining niyo po. May sakit ka, tapos sa panahong iyon, parang wala kang karamay. Kung kaya’t habang tayo po ay wala sa ganoong sitwasyon, i-cherish natin ang pagsasama-sama sa ating pamilya.

Who Can Stop The Lord? Isaiah 14:24-27

'The Lord Almighty has sworn, “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen. I will crush the Assyrian in my land; on my mountains I will trample him down. His yoke will be taken from my people, and his burden removed from their shoulders.” 

This is the plan determined for the whole world; this is the hand stretched out over all nations. For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back? '

Isaiah 14:24-27

https://my.bible.com/bible/111/ISA.14.24-27

Some of the things that the Bible makes clear is this: If the Lord purposed something to happen; what the Lord has purposed, no one can stop and when He starts accomplishing His purposes, no one will be able to turn it back. 

It is both amazing and terrifying that this God is the God we serve. He is fully sovereign in what He wants to do. Though, sometimes we read that He responds to the thoughts, words and actions of people, still He is unmatched if He wants something done.

And this God is our Abba, Our Father in heaven. What he purposed for our lives, no one can stop, no one can change his mind about it. He will accomplish what He wants accomplished.

Unexpected

Maraming mga unexpected this year. Especially sa favor ni lord na pinaparanas. Bagamat yung iba ay for prayer consideration pa lang, still things are too good. Minsan tuloy napapaisip ako na baka sinesetup ako ni Lord...

Discouraged!

I am 36 years old, and in a few months I'll be 37. When I look at my love life, I am really losing hope with the idea if i'd be married someday.

Lord, I surrender my life to You and I put my hope in You!

Up-Down!

I really do not know what I am really feeling. Sometimes I feel that I am all in and sometimes I feel that I do not feel anything anymore. But what it constant is the 'every waking moment' prayer that I am reminded of every time I wake up and leads me to pray.

Lord, I trust in You will all my heart. I surrender my life to You. I lean to you and acknowledge you every step of the way, I may not know what will happen in the future, but I know that You will make my path straight!

Honing the Communication Craft

Lord, one of the things that's part of what I do as a Pastor is to communicate your Word. So I ask God that You would equip and inspire me to continually hone my communication skills especially this year.

I also ask that you illumine Your word to me in ways that I've never seen it before. That I see things in Your Word that really light up how we see You as our Lord. That we see details there that inspire us to obey You and surrender to You.

Lord, I want to communicate Your Word in ways that would spark change in the people who look up to me.

Fishers of Men

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. '

Mark 1:14-20

https://my.bible.com/bible/111/MRK.1.14-20

This is an explanation of the previous text--repent and believe.

This happened after John the baptist was put into prison. Jesus called his first disciples after the 'persecution' of John.

Follow Me - Come behind me as a disciple--a permanent disciple of Jesus. It was prioritization of their relationship to Jesus.

Peter and Andrew left their nets and followed him - they followed Jesus by quitting their jobs as fishermen.

James and John were 'middle class' probably because they have hired men with them. They left their father Zebedee with the hired men / they were sure that their father was taken care of. But they left their father, without delay--a picture of total allegiance.

"Come, follow me and I will send you our to fish for people" is the calling of every believer--to follow Jesus, becoming like Him (Christlikeness) and to be sent out for people (to make others become like Jesus also).

Repent and Believe

'After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” '

Mark 1:14-15

https://my.bible.com/bible/111/MRK.1.14-15

John was arrested because of his comments about Herod and his adulterous relationship.

Jesus 'retreated' to Galilee when John was arrested*

The time has come! - It was a Kairos moment.

The kingdom of God has come near. - because the King has come near. The Kingdom of God is where the rule of God is directly observed.

Repent - turning from something (180 degree turn)

Believe - embracing the new thing to believe in.

The good news - Because the Messiah is here.

Repent and Believe - that is the constant call for everyone. To turn away from my own self-sufficiency and embrace Jesus.

Fully Loved Fully Tried

'At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. '

Mark 1:9-13

https://my.bible.com/bible/111/MRK.1.9-13

The Baptism of Jesus is one of the events that pictures the trinity. The Father speaking from Heaven; The Son being baptized and the Holy Spirit descending like a dove.

Jesus underwent John's baptism to identify with man and man's sin. -Dr Constable's Notes on Mark, p. 21

The Father expressed his love and pleasure for the Son, even though the Son hasn't done anything yet.

God loves us and is pleased with us for who we are in Him not by what we do. 

In a world where, achievement and work has become that standard of love and pleasure and acceptance and belongingness and approval - everyone looks good on social media. Everyone is achieving in social media. We want reactions, hearts, likes, views, shares, etc. 

plot twist - God loves the Son and is pleased with Him but was immediately sent to the wilderness to fast and to be tempted by the enemy.

The same Holy Spirit who descended on Him like a dove is a the same Holy Spirit who led Jesus to the wilderness for forty days to be tempted by Satan. (Wild animals adds to the intensity of the temptation, angels adds to grace given in times of need)

God allowed Satan to tempt Jesus for two reasons: to show that He would not draw away from the Father's will, and to demonstrate His qualification for the mission.

Jesus came to overthrow the Kingdom of Darkness, and the Testing in the wilderness is an inevitable encounter.

*Adam was tempted in the perfect place and failed. Jesus was tempted in the worst environment, and he succeeded.

It's not about the environment.

God in his love send his people to trials and testing. Trials and testing helps in perfecting our faith. Suffering expands our emotional capacities and our spirituality and faith. It exposes what we know and what we really believe about God our Father. Temptations will be fierce, but the same Holy Spirit who dwelt in Jesus and overcame temptation from Satan is with us in our temptations.

Our suffering with the enemy is also God's way of initiating our own personal ministries.

Forerunners

'The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, 

as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: 

“I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way” — “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ” 

And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” '

Mark 1:1-8

https://my.bible.com/bible/111/MRK.1.1-8

Mark started his gospel with John the Baptist. He was the messenger ahead of Jesus, who prepared the hearts of people to receive and identify the Messiah. He is a a voice calling in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight paths for him.

His message of repentance, baptism. and the after me.... is all for the preparation for the hearts of people so that when Messiah comes, they won't miss him. He is calling all people to ready their hearts so that their hearts would be sensitive when God through the Messiah, reveals himself.

John's lifestyle--diet and fashion sense marks him as a typical prophet / man of God in those times.

Point: You are the first step for people before they encounter Jesus fully. Is our interactions with people prepare their hearts points to God. Is our lifestyle/behavior reflects someone who truly knows Jesus. Our we preparing the ways of Lord so that people would receive Jesus in their lives.

Epic Fail Today.

There are time like these, when my preaching felt like an epic fail--that I haven't prayed enough & that I haven't prepared enough--and I know that it is true. I know in head what is the bottom line of what I want to share. But when I'm already up there, at the stage, everything falls apart.

I'm sorry Lord for not doing and giving my best. Sorry Lord.

Failed Relationships

I have never had a girlfriend. I have never experienced how to court a lady that I like. If you would learn my story, you might get depressed. You see, I did not chose to be single. There were a couple of times that I asked a girl out--asked if I could court her. There was a time that I hung out too much at a girl's place just to let her know that I like her (though I did not tell her outright that I would court her). All in all, I think I did what I needed to do as a guy that liked someone, especially when I've made up my mind with regards to courting a girl.

This made me evaluate and see what has been happening. Why have I been failing at this area in my life. I really don't know. Maybe it my fashion sense. Maybe it's my appearance. Maybe it's my personality. I don't know. But there's someone that I would like to acknowledge why I have been experiencing this apparent failure--God.

Looking back, I realized that most of the women that I was considering started out single and available but suddenly, while I was in the process of considering them or maybe praying for them, there would be a guy that would start courting them. There was one instance that a couple brought to me and a lady friend an idea that if we hit a certain age, and if we are still single and available, why not consider each other for marriage. While this got me thinking about the possibility of me and my lady friend, out of nowhere, there came a man from her early years and began courting her. There was also a time when I was starting to get close to a lady friend from church, again, out of nowhere, someone from her past contacted her and began courting her. Looking at in now, I am amazed at how I did not see it then--that whenever I began to like someone or considered someone, this someone would have a guy courting her.

I think this is God. I think God is protecting me and also protecting my lady friends from me. I know that I am not mature enough to handle a relationship. Also, I think God is also preparing the best for me--for which He would get the most glory. All in all, I thank God that He is fully involved in my life--that He answers the prayer that I ask of Him every time that I am starting to like someone: that if this is not from You, shut the door, Lord. And He has been shutting doors ever since.

Sheer Persistence

“I tell you, even though the man inside will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of the first man’s sheer persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.”

Luke 11:8 NET

http://bible.com/107/luk.11.8.net

Sheer Persistence - God responds to sheer persistence - probably because it is an act of desperation that unles God moves, nothing will happen and nothing will ever change. It is also an act of faith - believing that there is nobody else in this world that can do what is being asked for in prayer.

God let me have sheer persistence in prayer.

Closer You and I

Intimacy with God is a crucial part of living the Christian life. It is growing and deepening your relationship with God.

Lord, I want to grow deeper in my walk with you. I want to know you more. Lord, grant my request. Lord, help me. Amen.

When The Going Gets Tough

Life gets tough.

Mas madali sanang sabihin na life gets easier--that the older you get, pagaan nang pagaan ang buhay. But that is not the case. That is not reality--things that we cried for when we are younger, we laugh at it today, and then we face new challenges. It'll show our character, it'll show our values, it'll show whose we are and it'll show the convictions that we truly hold on to.

Amidst all these crazyness--na pati yung mga challenges sa buhay natin ay naglelevel-up--one thing we want is to understand why all these things are happening. Of all the people in the world, why are these things happening to me. 'Bakit ako pa?' Ika nga.

And our capacity to understand and the capacity of our faith collides with each other when things get really tough. Doubt seeps in. We question God. We need answers to the why's? And somehow, we need the answers now.

At this point, many are tempted to fall away. The correlation with the need to understand and the strength of our faith gets front and center. However, most of the time, as we face trials, our understanding is not yet able to accomodate what God is doing.

"To whom shall we go?", "You have the words of eternal life" said Peter one time. And this is the truth that we need to understand. If we fall away from Jesus, we are going to another direction. We are going to another person, being or god. But nothing in this world has offered eternal life than Jesus. He alone is the way to eternal life.

You do not have to understand it all so that you'll be able to hold on to Jesus. Marami na siyang ginawa sa buhay mo--sa buhay natin. Marami na siyang pinatunayan. Marami ng himala. In times of hardship and trials, where we don't understand what's happening. Remember that to go away from Jesus is worse. You may not know where these trials are leading you, know that apart from Jesus, you will never know where you will be, but in Jesus, you may not understand what's happening but you can be sure that He is leading you to life eternal.

Saved by Grace

Our salvation is a gift from God through the obedience and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. I am but saved by grace through faith. Thank you Lord for saving me, for redeeming me, for freeing me. I owe my life to you Lord God. I love you, Lord.

Thursdays @ Church

I praise God for how he guides our adult Bible Study. What I am doing right now is just get a story from the Bible. We'll read the story / text and then get some observations and from there try to look for principles about God and man that would help each one of us in our walk with God.

I thank the Lord because, though I know the text, I really don't know what observations the group will emphasize. So what ever they say that's where we'll start the discussion and create generalizations and applications for our lives. I thank the Lord for the knowledge and wisdom that he gives us during our time in the study of His Word.

Today was also a rest day for my Young Adult group. They have things to attend to that needs their immediate attention. I just gave them an assignment that they will have to do before our next meeting to enrich our discussion. May the Lord bless the work of their hands so that whatever they are attending to right now would be a blessing to them.

We also re-started our drum lessons. Bim and Meca came, and I am really amazed at how fast they are learning. I hope that they would really bloom to be musicians after God's heart--that they would use the skill/talent in worshipping God through music.

Rest Day Monday

Literally, I would just rest every Monday. I try to get my mind off things during Mondays. It really crawls up to my nerves--the message for next Sunday and the time I'll be needing to prepare, the church stuff which includes growing spiritually and numerically, my inadequacies as a Pastor, my failures, etc. And it really just want to take over my mind so that I think about them. But Monday is rest day. So I keep my mind off many things. Minsan feeling ko namab sobra-sobra ang pag-iisantabi ko sa mga bahay na dapat pinag-iisipan ko.

Haaay.

Tuesday Hang-over

Hindi na talaga pwede sa akin ang magpuyat. Masakit sa ulo at walang productive na magawa sa maghapon. After ilang hours na gising, dadapuan ka kaagad ng atok, tapos sasabayan ng sakit sa ulo. I end up sleeping again, just to make up for lost sleep.

Was reading Mere Christianity Earlier. Sometimes, I think that when I read books, the information that I get just evaporate immediately. I can't remember ot anymore though while I was reading, I think I was absorbing it. I need to focus on my focus skills and comprehension.

I Can't Claim It

I find it hard to claim a happy and prosperous life from God. Maybe it's just me.

It's just that when I read Hebrews 11:

'There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground...'

Then there's the traditional story of how the Disciples were martyred except for John who was exiled in Patmos and got to die at an old age.

Then there's our Christian brothers and sisters who live in countries that being a Christian means death.

How, how can I believe with all my heart that happiness, prosperity and even a comfortable life is what my God has instore for me and for everyone when all throughout the ages and even today, Christians are persecuted and martyred? I can't. It would be a slap to their faces that we would claim a different kind of Christian Life. It would seem that the Christian God favors us more than them. It would seem that our faith can bring us wealth and happiness while theirs lead to persecution. I just can't.

What I do claim are the promises of God that can be understood to be timeless.

All the other things that I want, I ask God but never hold on to it as if God is obliged simply because I claim it.

I do ask, I do pray, I do hope for a better life but my faith leads me to ask it humbly.

In the end, I think that what God promises us is not a life of happiness, but there will certainly be joy; not of prosperity and wealth but where I need not worry because He will provide; and a life of peace amidst all the sorrow in our broken world.

PS. What I also want to say is that what we believe about God and His Works should transcend time, culture and geography. What is true in the here and now should be true elsewhere, yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Ar-Ouch

When I was a new Pastor at MCF as the new Youth Pastor, there was one time that I led a devotion in one of the youth gatherings/fellowship. I shared about how it is wrong to associate friends with things and laugh at it. There went an series of arguments about it. Defending what I think was right, them, defending why it was just ok. Then after a few weeks, the chairman of the youth ministry told me that they were going to have a meeting. But in that meeting they will not be inviting me. Little did I know that they would be meeting with Youth Adviser,  and that the agenda was about me.

When the idea that they would be meeting about me sunk in, i was hurt. I was dreaming for the position of Youth Pastor for a very long time. There was a passion in me to lead this group and these men and women towards God, then. At the first signon conflict, it's as is that I was betrayed.

There was one class during my seminary days that we discussed a similar case study about one pastor who was hurt with they church he was leading. And that's one of the time that I really felt the hurt by that attack.

And that's one of the things that we experience from time to time. There are people that we love, we serve, we live with--people that we consider close to us would hurt us. And it's one of the most painful thing that we feel. Even our neighbor would hurt us.

And the response that we would easily resonate with us is pay evil with evil. We want revenge. We our out for blood. Whatever the people did to hurt us, we want to do the same thing and even to a certain extent something much worse to them. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

That's our natural respose to evil done to us. If we could have our way, and there were times that we did have our way, we would have gone all the way so that people would pay for the evil they did to us.

We have saying in Filipino: "Kapag binato ka ng bato, batuhuin mo ng tinapay" Madaling sabihin pero masarap gawin. we want people to feel the same and much worse pain that they inflicted upon us.

That's our normal way of thinking.

But as Kingdom People... as people who represents God and His Kingdom in this world, we are called to a different kind of value system so that our response would be different to these kind of evil done to us.

But what has Jesus have to say about this?
Matthew 5:38-48

What did Paul has to say?
Romans 5:8

One Point:
Overcome evil by doing good! Romans 12:17-21

We do good, because goodness exposes evil. We do good because we are recipient of that same goodness from God! We can also do good because we can trust God that He sees everything and hears everything and He will be the one to avenge for us. We do good because God is good!

Temptation: Jump!

The second temptation that Satan majored in when he tempted Jesus was daring Jesus to jump from the top of the temple. Satan even quoted scripture to convince Jesus. Satan claimed that whatever Jesus do in this life, God will have to save Jesus, because Jesus was loved by God and is special in His eyes.

The temptation is essentially a temptation to presume on God. It is twisting the arm of God so that God would be forced to do something. If Jesus did jump, the Father would have to save Jesus. It has taken that long for God to bring Jesus in that moment in time. And  the Father would not allow anything bad to happen to Him. Jesus safety is an utmost priority.

This temptation is acting irresponsibly (most of the time in the guise of faith) then expecting God to breakthough and perform feats of salvation. Many of us are guilty into falling into this subtle trap. We would present God our prayer requests and in 'acts of faith, we become answers to our prayer even though it may defy logic, wisdom and even the very principles of God found in His Word. And then when we find ourselves caught in the chaos of our foolish decision, we expect no, we even demand God to save us.

Yes God is our Savior and Redeemer. He will never turn back on that role. But also remember, God is God, He is our King and our Sovereign. We don't play with God. We don't stiff arm God to do our will nor do we act as if God is our genie in a bottle who will obey our every command and longing. We don't rashly act upon things 'in faith' nor 'visions' because is God. We should be the ones to obey, to abide, to submit. We should never presume, that because it is a good idea, God is already backing us up. It should terrify us that we might be holding on to our ideas and implementing them in the name of God. God has given us His Word and the Holy Spirit to teach us and remind us of His promises and principles. Let them be the guide.

Masakit Din Pala

Lord nakakasakit din pala talaga ng kalooban. Na minsan alang-alang sa pagpapalapit ng kaluluwa sa Iyo ay kailangan mong magpakumbaba at isantabi ang iyong mga hinanakit matupad lamang ang nais Mong gawin. 

In those moments you should remember Jesus' prayer: "Lord if it is possible, please let this cup pass away from me, but not my will but yours be done." Napaka-comforting na prayer and situation because even Jesus, the Son of God, was allowed by God to experience the struggle of His will different from the Father's. Sabi Niya sa mga disicples, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death" but yet He obeyed, so that Father's will be done. My Lord and Saviour became so unselfish despite everything He was feeling, all so that the world might be saved. If my Lord has set aside pain and sorrow in obedience to the Father, I recon, I must do so also.

I also remember Jesus meeting with the Samaritan woman by the well. What transpired between Jesus and the woman brought salvation to the woman, but when the disciples came back, they were so engrossed with their stereotypes and prejudices that they missed the working of God in the heart of the woman. Ang sagot ni Jesus nung tinanong Siya ng mga disciples Niya kung kumain na Siya? "I have food that you do not know of... it is doing the work of God."

May mga personal concerns tayo. May mga personal prejudices at stereotypes. Minsan may sakit ng kalooban o takot din tayong dala. Maaring pagbigyan tayo ng Dios na 'ilaban' at mag-express ng ating kalooban sa Kanya, but we were never given any license by God to use those as excuses of not abiding, of not obeying, of not submitting. Yes it does hurt, but trusting in God that He knows what He is doing even though it hurt may and can be the only thing we can do towill satisfy our soul.

"In this world you will have troubles, take heart I have overcome the world." Thank You Jesus.

Not So Good News

A remedy is good news only to those whose hope is for a cure, but for those who think they don't need it, it is just information that is stocked somewhere in the deep recesses of one's brain.

The Gospel is good news. And it should be presented as good news. But how can it be good news when the people you are sharing it to does not or even resist the idea that they are in a predicament and the good news is the only solution? It'll just be words, phrases, sentences and paragraphs that may be inspirational but not transformational.

In this day and age, there is high intolerance when we talk about sin and hell. It's as if those two are antiquated ideas purported by a state-driven religion from who knows where and who knows when just to blind people to gain control of their lives.

It is not politically correct and sensitive if we talk, much more warn people of the peril they are in. It doesn't seem right anymore.

Somewhere along the way, the good news, the Gospel has lost it's impact and it's goodness because the bad news has been watered down. Jesus became a figure, a symbol of goodness, kindness and righteousness, a model to be followed but not anymore a Master nor a Savior to whom people should give their lives upon in faith and loyalty.

Jesus came to seek and save that which is lost. Much like the Pharissees of His day, they did not believe that they need seeking much more saving. So they'd resisted the idea of a sinner-seeking-saving Messiah. But still, Jesus did found some people who need saving. There were people who knew and saw themselves as sinners in need of Savior. Somehow the very presence of Jesus with them--the sinners, tax collectors and outcasts--led them to that realization that they were looking for something they never knew they were looking for. Jesus led them to Himself and their lives was forever changed

Temptation: Shortcut

Jesus third temptation found in Matthew 4 is the temptataion to take shortcuts. A 'shorcut' is essentially trusting another way, usually bending one's principles, convictions and godliness rather than fully trusting in God's way. It is like the cliche that the end do justify the means. As long as the end is achieved, whatever means a person does it is acceptable.

When Satan tempted Jesus by offering Him the Authority and the Kingdoms of the world in exchange of Jesus' worship, Satan knew that the very purpose by which Jesus came to earth is to redeem and regain all Authority and in turn, the Kingdoms of the world. What Satan is offering Jesus all the authority and the Kingdoms without the suffering, the pain, the cross and death, if only Jesus would bend His values, beliefs and conviction.

This temptation is very near to us. All of has been tempted to lie, to cheat, to misrepesent something or somebody just to get ahead or advance or accomplish something we want. Though we will not be offered the kingdoms of world now just even a bit of authority, still the temptation to bend, just for even a while, our beliefs or convictions is very real.

How did Jesus countered this temptation? He reached backed to a time when Moses was giving a speech to the Israelites, just before they were to enter and conquer, the Promised Land. Moses was saying to the Israelites to trust in the Lord because the Lord has been faithful to them and has shown His power and glory from their escape from Egypt to all the 40 years they have wandered about the desert--God has seen them through and He will continue to see them through. Moses is saying that God is ever faithful. The Israelites can trust God. Whatever happens God can be trusted. They are not on their own. As long as they continue to trust God, God will show His glory and power and faithfulness among their midst and in ang through their lives

This is a temptation where almost all of us fall. There are situations and opportunities in our life that when we look at it, it seems that there is no other way forward or way out but to just bend our values. But yet, there is a way. Like Jesus, a person can choose not to bend, a person can choose not to violate his convictions. It will not be easy, it may be even let a person great suffering but yes there is a way.

Why should a person continue to cling to his convictions and belief and turn away from this temptation? The issue is peace of heart and peace of mind. For Christians, the issue is looking into your heart and soul knowing that his or her relationship with God is intact, that fellowship with God still flows and that there is peace deep down.

In the end, Jesus did suffer horrible pain, he suffered the cross even death. But in His life, fellowship with God was never broken, God was able to do what He has purposed in Jesus' life and when Jesus rose from dead, all authority was given to Him and one day even now every tribe and tongue, every creature on earth. above the earth and even below the earth will bow and is bowing down to Him as King of kings and Lord of lords. 

The stakes if you falling for this kind of temptation may be higher than you could imagine. But if you could overcome it, with God's help, it will be worth it all. 

Temptation: Bread

The first of the three temptation that Satan majored in when he tempted Jesus in the wilderness in to make Jesus turn stones to bread. It is essentially tempting Jesus to fill a God-given legitimate need in an illegitimate way. Provision for needs is almost always at the top of a person's priority. It is essential to life. When needs are unmet, worry starts to creep in, tension starts, faith sways and hearts for God begin to faint.

Jesus, in the first temptation of the enemy, countered it by qouting Deuteronomy, "man shall not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes out from the mouth of God". Jesus understood that Our Heavenly Father is the Provider, and God provides for the needs of His children; and that as long as a person is under the canopy of God--by abiding in His ways, laws, principles and precepts, God can be trusted to provide for His children.

Life is hard. The need for provision is always there. The temptation to find illegitimate sources for the provision of needs is very real. But like Jesus, let us trust that God has always connected the provision of needs with walking in His ways--that as we abide, He will provide.

Spiritual Leadership: When Fingers Are Pointed At You

What do you do when fingers are pointed to you? A story found in 1 Samuel 30, shows a principle when the people you are leading are pointing their fingers at you as the reason for the not so good situations that happen in their lives.

Then it happened when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had made a raid on the Negev and on Ziklag, and had overthrown Ziklag and burned it with fire; and they took captive the women and all who were in it, both small and great, without killing anyone, and carried them off and went their way. When David and his men came to the city, behold, it was burned with fire, and their wives and their sons and their daughters had been taken captive. Then David and the people who were with him lifted their voices and wept until there was no strength in them to weep. Now David’s two wives had been taken captive, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite. Moreover David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God. 

1 Samuel 30:1-6

David and his men, during this time has been running away from Saul. To cut the story short, they settled in Ziklag, a place away from the reach of King Saul. David and his men were about to do battle against Israelites, but because the Philistine commanders believed that David might turn against them, they wanted David out of the battle, so David and his men went home. Upon reaching their homes, they found out that their city was burned, and all their women and children were taken captive by the Amalekites. David's men blamed him for this. They were so embittered that his men wanted to stone him to death. They pointed their fingers at David. They blamed David as the reason for this tragedy.

Now at this point, the character of a leader is truly tested. How the leader reacts will give away what he/she is made of. His/her response determines the convictions that he/she truly believes in. 

Some leaders reacts to this situation by being bitter, quitting their post, leaving their subordinates hanging, blaming and taking it against the people their are leading. They become angry at the very people they are called to lead.

But David showed us the way to go: 

When people blame you, find strength in God and continue to lead.

This is the response of genuine godly leaders. They lead even in bitterness and brokenness. They do not run away from these kind of situations and lead their people even when it hurts. They lead the people who are hurting them because they are leaders. They lead, even amidst tragedies, because they know that the people who look up to them, though they are pointing their fingers at them, are still looking up to them for leadership. They lead, because God has called them to lead.

What we read next is really amazing. David called for the priest, ask God for what to do, pursues the enemies and lead the battle against the Amalekites with all the strength he can muster. And they were able to take back what was theirs--their wives and their children livestock and other spoils.

I really want to believe that the strength of a leader is found not in the 'successful' and flouring seasons of an organisation. I want to believe that the strength of the leader is found best when the very people they lead attacks them and amidst all the pain and the bitterness and the hurt, they still find their strength in the God who has called to lead, and lead the people God has called them to lead.

Lost and Found: Soul

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: 

“Whoever wants to be my disciple 

must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, 

but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 

What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, 

yet forfeit their soul? 

Or what can anyone give 

in exchange for their soul?.." 

Mark 8:34-38

When Jesus calls people to himself to become his disciple-follower, it is always a call to total abandonment. It it a call to surrender. It is a call to give up rights, hopes, dreams and even preference. It is a call to subject a person's intellect, emotion and will to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Living for the Him is His call to us. He calls us to surrender our lives to his eternal purposes. And He has but one reason why He can call people to live lives of radical submission to Him. It is because, there we find life. It is there we find the life-giving passion that breathes out life in us--we find our soul.

In this life we are always in the pursuit of this kind of life. We are looking of our 'souls'. We just don't want to exist and to live. We all want to have significance and fulfilment. We want to have life itself. 

Jesus offers just that. Life is found in Him! Significance is found Him! Fulfilment is found Him. It is only when we radically abandon ourselves for Him and for the sake of the gospel to we find meaning in this life and even in eternity.

A person may pursue the world and gain it to find meaning in this life, but still an emptiness will envelope his heart. This finite world cannot fill the infinite space in our heart. It can only be filled by the infinite messiah who has offered himself to us.

Live for Him! It is the only way to have life!

Love Grown Cold

"Because of the increase of wickedness, 

the love of most will grow cold..."

Matthew 24:12

One of the signs that Jesus said towards the end of the age is that the love of many towards Him and towards God will grow cold. I think that it means that the relationship of many with God it terms of passion and devotion and obedience will regress. It will not be as much as the same as the it was compared to previous generation. The reason being is that there would be an increase of wickedness. It might be that the the wickedness in the world will really dull the senses of many Jesus followers. And this is very alarming because I think we are seeing it today.

Also, it is very hurting to know of and see people who you lookup to, people who you hope to entrust the future to and people who you taught who are with you in this life and walk in Jesus Christ bend your shared upon principles of God for whatever reason they might have. 

God, please, let me not fall prey to the wickedness of this world, so that it would not influence my life so that my love, passion, devotion and obedience to You would continually grow. Help me be faithful to the end. Amen