After exchanges of emails to some dear brethren who are in ministry abroad, I had this excellent realization that made me understand my purpose, my ministry, and myself… and why discouragements are a part of it.
This is the situation I am facing as of the moment: Puzzled on how far should I go with my ministry and how far am I letting God take me.
I don't really know what's destructing and misleading specifically when it comes to doing service for Jesus. But personally, I do get discouragements… little and big… from time to time… once in a while. But then, God makes me realize time and again the following points:
(1) Where I am now is a training ground. And training grounds are battlegrounds. All that Satan will project are things of discouragements… all discouragements so as to cover God's wonderful movements. Making it a blindfold to make cover our eyes from the truth that God does move… and to make me tired, and fall and give up. Would I allow Satan defeat me?
(2) Don't look eye-level. Look up to see God. Upon realizing the first point, we should then make it a point that we don’t look at what others do. It will just open our eyes to how they perform… and will in turn, open your judgment of how big you contribute compared to what they do. God doesn't want this thing for us. He wants us look higher so we can see His glory. Don’t measure your works inside the ministry. Don’t look at the people and the situation. Look to God instead! I got shaken by the thought that, tying all that I have done altogether, it is all nothing compared to Jesus' sacrifices for the salvation of the world. Now, why count responsibilities?
(3) In doing ministries, it is not us who are working but God. So again, why complain? It is so immature to think that it is us who do the ministry. God is just making use of us as an instrument of His blessing and it is all Him who does the works for us.
These things I just realized recently. After I had this exchange of emails with Kuya Mike and Kuya Aldrin over the passed few days. I easily complain. I easily doubt. How will then God entrust bigger ministries?
All these in mind, I am so very thankful. He makes me learn not just the fundamentals but even the "out of the box" attitude I need to learn being His servant. Again, I am really privileged to have been given this training ground. I am learning a lot. And when God sees that I am already becoming so puzzled about things and nearly becoming discouraged, He just know how to bring me back on track. And praise Him for His glorious ways. All thanks to Him.
Think about: God makes us see that there is a bigger thing He can do through us. And understand that all efforts won't be wasted because it will be Him who will bless and prosper it. 1Cor. 15:58 says, that all labor of the Lord is not in vain. So just spread wings and find the joy of serving Him. And let Him take you through. His plans for us should not be doubted. He knows where to place us best.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
Transformists vs. Conformists
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Rom. 12: 2
There are people of today who always desires to be someone else. They take fashions, trends, and way of living that is so popular. Sense of belongingness is defined by this attitude. They are afraid to be different. They feel a need to be always like some other people around them. These people are who we call CONFORMISTS.
It is transparent in our society that there is a remarkable pressure to conform. It is seen in many of both adults and young ones, though weight of this issue is more inclined to adolescence. This fact is supported by the reality that most of young people today are ruled by their low self-esteem and so they usually look for acceptance that they find in conforming to what the majority is doing. It re-affirms their self-worth. Furthermore, advertising plays significant position in complicating this present social condition.
Now this is the sad fact: conformity has grave dangers.
1. It may lead one to do things he knows is wrong.
2. Conformity the second time around is easier.
3. Conforming to ways of the world separates us from God (Jn. 2:15 – 17)
... Lust of the flesh or immorality
... Lust of the eyes or materialism
... Pride of life or arrogance
Man has all the means to overcome the world though. Instead conform, transform. Bear in mind that God’s endowed power is greater than anything else. The big world is just a small dot compare to God’s immeasurable supremacy. And upon uniting with Christ, one already is an extension of this authority. Direct and not tag along. Be a leader and not a follower. Remember that God makes us, His people, a head and not a tail. Power is with us when God is with us. So take the opportunity to lead. Be a TRANSFORMIST. This is possible through conversion (Ti. 3:5) and the involvement of the renewal of mind (Ro. 12:2). And this should continue through life (2Cor. 4:16).
Think about: Conformists are bound to superficial and shallow change and they are just a cheap imitation letting other people do their thinking of them. Transformists on the other hand, undergo real change and experiences true renewal. And now its up to you. Which would you choose?
Acknowledgment: Sermon by Rev. Eric Atienza, Sept. 20, 2009, Jesus For All Ministries, KKFI Seminar Hall, Manila.
Rom. 12: 2
There are people of today who always desires to be someone else. They take fashions, trends, and way of living that is so popular. Sense of belongingness is defined by this attitude. They are afraid to be different. They feel a need to be always like some other people around them. These people are who we call CONFORMISTS.
It is transparent in our society that there is a remarkable pressure to conform. It is seen in many of both adults and young ones, though weight of this issue is more inclined to adolescence. This fact is supported by the reality that most of young people today are ruled by their low self-esteem and so they usually look for acceptance that they find in conforming to what the majority is doing. It re-affirms their self-worth. Furthermore, advertising plays significant position in complicating this present social condition.
Now this is the sad fact: conformity has grave dangers.
1. It may lead one to do things he knows is wrong.
2. Conformity the second time around is easier.
3. Conforming to ways of the world separates us from God (Jn. 2:15 – 17)
... Lust of the flesh or immorality
... Lust of the eyes or materialism
... Pride of life or arrogance
Man has all the means to overcome the world though. Instead conform, transform. Bear in mind that God’s endowed power is greater than anything else. The big world is just a small dot compare to God’s immeasurable supremacy. And upon uniting with Christ, one already is an extension of this authority. Direct and not tag along. Be a leader and not a follower. Remember that God makes us, His people, a head and not a tail. Power is with us when God is with us. So take the opportunity to lead. Be a TRANSFORMIST. This is possible through conversion (Ti. 3:5) and the involvement of the renewal of mind (Ro. 12:2). And this should continue through life (2Cor. 4:16).
Think about: Conformists are bound to superficial and shallow change and they are just a cheap imitation letting other people do their thinking of them. Transformists on the other hand, undergo real change and experiences true renewal. And now its up to you. Which would you choose?
Acknowledgment: Sermon by Rev. Eric Atienza, Sept. 20, 2009, Jesus For All Ministries, KKFI Seminar Hall, Manila.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
On Enduring Pain
It seem is a magic that all people of whatever character cannot escape the dilemma of pain, intruding their lives in several ways, surprisingly or slowly, expected or not. There can be a lot of reasons these things happen. But the sad point is, it never is explainable. Maybe, this is God’s own means of making everyone meet in His so-called “equal opportunity.” Well, that’s the only positive way I know I can define pain many suffer.
I remember one time, in my most down, I asked why should I have to pass all things that hurt me much, God gave me back the very opposite of my question: “Why not? Are you not worth of the trust I just gave you?” And so from then, I set it as a guiding rule that God never sends out trials that we cannot bear. We just have to do our best to battle our every problem and God will be the one to continue whatever it is that we cannot do anymore. There are only two things that we need to do always: maximize ourselves, and then surrender it all to God when we can’t endure it any longer. He’ll always be more than happy to catch whoever calls for His name for help. It is His promise anyway that whoever is weary and burdened, just have to come before Him and He’ll give rest.
So what am I to worry about? God knows my limit. And He alone can tell up to where I can make the most of my prowess. And when I’m worn-out, He still will be the one to take turn… Remember footprints in the sand?
Beyond dark clouds are bright sky, right? Happy life!
Think about: Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4)
I remember one time, in my most down, I asked why should I have to pass all things that hurt me much, God gave me back the very opposite of my question: “Why not? Are you not worth of the trust I just gave you?” And so from then, I set it as a guiding rule that God never sends out trials that we cannot bear. We just have to do our best to battle our every problem and God will be the one to continue whatever it is that we cannot do anymore. There are only two things that we need to do always: maximize ourselves, and then surrender it all to God when we can’t endure it any longer. He’ll always be more than happy to catch whoever calls for His name for help. It is His promise anyway that whoever is weary and burdened, just have to come before Him and He’ll give rest.
So what am I to worry about? God knows my limit. And He alone can tell up to where I can make the most of my prowess. And when I’m worn-out, He still will be the one to take turn… Remember footprints in the sand?
Beyond dark clouds are bright sky, right? Happy life!
Think about: Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4)
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