When you've been rescued, you'll want to rescue others.

Sometimes, you want to go back to the times wherein you don't want to intrude into other people's affairs, business or problems. That you would stop bothering yourself with other people's problems and start minding your own business again. You know it would have been easier just to focus on your own problems. But whenever you reach that point you're reminded that when you've fallen so low, SOMEONE STOOD FOR YOU, lifted you up and put you back on your feet again. And even if it happened many times, that someone DIDN'T GIVE UP on you. He RESCUED you. He rescued you from the pit not only once. And when you have been rescued, you can't afford to just close your eyes when you see people falling into the same pit. When you've been rescued, you'll want to rescue others. Not because of being inescapably obligated but because you know what it feels like being there in their place. Then, as you look back on your life, you'll realize that Henry Drummond's right when he wrote that the moments that stand out are always the ones when you did things for others. Of course, you cannot expect them to give back to you what you have given but God will. God SEES your heart. God DOESN'T forget. Your best days are ahead! So, don't get tired of helping a friend. Don't get disappointed (kung kapila naka cgeg badlong pero murag wala ghapon xa nakatuon). Instead, bring your concerns into prayer. Pray for a friend. Lift her/him to God.

"So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will (there is assurance) harvest a good crop IF we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of ALL, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith." -Galatians 6:9-10, The Message

Prayer For A Friend

by Casting Crowns

Lord, I lift my friend to You, I've done all that I know to do

I lift my friend to You

Complicated circumstances have clouded his view

Lord, I lift my friend up to You

I fear that I won't have the words that he needs to hear

I pray for Your wisdom, oh God, and a heart that's sincere

Lord, I lift my friend up to You

Lord, I lift my friend to You

My best friend in the world, I know he means much more to You

I want so much to help him, but this is something he has to do

And Lord, I lift my friend up to You

'cause there's a way that seems so right to him

But You know where that leads

He's becoming a puppet of the world, too blind to see the strings

Lord, I lift my friend up to You

My friend up to You

Lord, I lift my friend to You, I've done all that I know to do

I lift my friend to You

Let there be NO DIVISION.

“If the Arameans are too strong for me, then come over and help me,” Joab told his brother. “And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I will come and help you. Be courageous! Let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. May the Lord’s will be done.” -2 Samuel 10:11-12

<3>WHAT WE MUST DO. Receiving or asking for help doesn't mean you're weaker than the one helping you and giving help, on the other hand, doesn't imply that you're stronger than the one you're helping to.

Remember: WE ARE A FAMILY. This is teamwork. We fight as ONE, we win as ONE. And let the Lord's will be done [always]. Let there be NO DIVISION! Instead, "Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near." -Hebrews 10:24-25

Kay dili mani kumpetensyahay, kumpanyahay mani! :]

My name's WILLING, what's yours?

"Now, of course, if you want to leave.. that is your right. And if you feel in your heart that you cannot work with your new government, then it is better that you do leave. Right away. But if you are packing up because you fear that your language or the color of your skin or who you worked for before disqualifies you from working here.. I am here to tell you, have no such fear. What is verby is verby. The past is the past. We look to the future now. We need your help. We want your help. If you would like to stay, you would be doing your country a great service. All I ask is that you do your work to the best of your abilities and with good heart. I promise to do the same. If we can manage that, our country will be a shining light in the world." –President Nelson Mandela, INVICTUS[ movie]

Allow me to make some modification..

"Now, of course, if you want to leave.. that is your right. And if you feel in your heart that you cannot work with your new government [IN THIS NEW, UNTRADITIONAL ENVIRONMENT], then it is better that you do leave. Right away. But if you are packing up because you fear that your language [YOUR COMMUNICATIVE SKILLS]or the color of your skin [YOUR PHYSICAL APPEARANCE] or who you worked for before [YOUR PAST LIFE] disqualifies you from working here [IN THIS MINISTRY].. I am here to tell you [AND GOD WANTS YOU TO KNOW], have no such fear. What is verby is verby. The past is the past. We look to the future now. We [A LOT OF PEOPLE]need your help. We [A LOT OF PEOPLE] want your help. If you would like to stay, you would be doing your country [THE PHILIPPINES AND EVEN THE WORLD] a great service. All I ask [THE LORD ASKS FROM YOU] is that you do your work to the best of your abilities and with good heart. I promise to do the same [GOD ALWAYS DO THAT]. If we [YOU AND ME] can manage that, our country [THE PHILIPPINES OR WHEREVER YOU ARE RIGHT NOW] will be a shining light in the world."

In serving the Lord, there would come a time in which we feel less valuable compared to the people we see around us. We have this tendency to compare ourselves to other people that when we notice them excelling, instead of getting encouraged, we get disheartened. We then lose the spirit of conquest and feel condemned. But hey! Cheer up! There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus! After all, we're created to excel.. We all have potential. Great, actually. But before we could see it, we need to believe it first.

AND..

In order to have these potentials unleashed, we need to be willing. TO BE REALLY WILLING. Familiar? Hmmm. Actually, I also wonder why I keep on hearing this word lately. For several Sunday services, this has been the topic of Pastor Ruffy's sermon. It took me quite long to realize, that's how IMPORTANT willingness is and how DIFFICULT it is to grasp. As a matter of fact, it takes tooooooooo much willingness to understand the word WILLINGNESS.

So now, let's have a common goal. That is.. to make ourselves WILLING. For, as what Pastor Ruffy said this morning, "the willing will always find a way to win."Let's be serious in being the SALT and the LIGHT of the world. Let our light shine before men that they may see our good deeds and praise our Father in heaven. Daghan pa sila sa gawas.. Pasudlon na nato!

Say 'YES' to the restoration of our IDENTITY! Say 'YES' to a higher self-esteem! Say 'YES' to a WILLING SPIRIT! And say 'NO' to QUITTING! Wuhoo! Let's all become CONQUERORS! (sorry medyo bias. haha) :]

P.S. Gusto nako ni kwaon nga line ni Mommy Emma as a reminder, "Naa gani tay panahon mag-crush2x nak, kana pa bang mulihok para sa Ginoo?"

TRUE CIRCUMCISION

"Just because you live like a Jew [A CHRISTIAN] and are circumcised [HAVE JOINED THE ENCOUNTER] doesn't make you a real Jew [A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST]. To be a real Jew [A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST] you must obey the Law [GOD'S COMMANDS]. True circumcision [ENCOUNTER] is something that happens deep in your heart, not something done to your body. And besides, you should want praise from God and not from humans." -Romans 2:28-29

The question is, "HAVE YOU [really] EXPERIENCED TRUE CIRCUMCISION [encounter with JESUS]?

Hmm. Kay remember:

"Being circumcised [HAVING JOINED THE ENCOUNTER] is worthwhile, if you obey the Law [GOD'S COMMANDS]. But if you don't obey the Law [GOD'S COMMANDS], you are no better off than people who are not circumcised [HAVE NOT JOINED THE ENCOUNTER." -Romans 2:25

Unya.. Amen? or Oh men?

P.S.

I don't intend to solicit AMENs here. I just want to remind everyone [including myself] na wala nagstop ang tanan sa encounter. Dili porke't naka-encounter nata, OKAY na! That's a big NO NO. Everyday is an opportunity given by God to grow more in His love and mercy. Daghan pa kaaug buhatonon, usabonon ug tun-ananan. Say no to quitting! Let's remember the silversmith's line [tito Ohmbeng mentioned this kanina], "IT IS FINISHED WHEN I SEE MY FACE REFLECTED ON IT." Human na sa atua ang Ginoo kung nakita na Niya iyang sarili sa atua. So habang wala pa, padayon lang ta sa pagpapolish sa atuang Silversmith, si Jesus!

INCREASE! CLIMB UP!

Back to Your arms again..

Dear God,

Sorry if I have been rebelling against You these past few days. Sorry for being so hypocrite, so pretentious. I've been telling myself and everybody that I am okay, I'm doing great when the truth is.. I AM NOT!

I submit because I have to. I do things because I have no choice. My motives are wrong and my heart's not right. I am broken inside.. probably, that is why my disciples are also struggling. I've been so tired that I stopped working because I had wrong expectations to meet. I grew weary because I did not trust You fully. I've been very busy building a bold front to cover up the mess inside of me but no matter how hard I try, I couldn't hide from you Oh Lord!

Now, all I want is to be fixed. I want to be freed from the lies of the enemy which trapped me. I may not be deserving of the promises You have given me today, I don't care! Because I never was! This is all because of Your grace.. Restore my identity Lord..

Father, teach me how to faithfully obey You.. Hold me more tightly this time, I'm afraid I'm losing my grip again.. Set my heart right Oh, Lord.. I want to work for Your glory, again.. I want my compassion for the lost to be back. Fan my fire into flame Oh, Jesus..

Lastly, give me a heart that is always hungry to follow up Your people, Father.. Make me a good consolidator Lord. Teach me how to be firm and not to easily give up on your flock. Remind me all the time Oh, Lord that I was once like them. Show me Your ways Father for I want to follow You.. Make me the Yanny that You want me to be.. I am willing, Lord.. I submit myself to You again.. Be the Lord of my life. I love You, Dad.. and I missed you.. :((

Desperately seeking You,

Yanny

MESSAGE: "No matter what you have done, I am still the LORD your God, and I will never completely reject you or become absolutely disgusted with you there in the land of your enemies." -Leviticus 26:44 [CEV]

PROMISES: "4and I will send rain to make your crops grow and your trees produce fruit. 5Your harvest of grain and grapes will be so abundant, that you won't know what to do with it all. You will eat and be satisfied, and you will live in safety. 6I will bless your country with peace, and you will rest without fear. I will wipe out the dangerous animals and protect you from enemy attacks. 7You will chase and destroy your enemies, 8even if there are only five of you and a hundred of them, or only a hundred of you and ten thousand of them. 9I will treat you with such kindness that your nation will grow strong, and I will also keep my promises to you.10Your barns will overflow with grain each year. 11I will live among you and never again look on you with disgust. 12I will walk with you--I will be your God, and you will be my people." -Leviticus 26:4-12 [CEV]

♥ A promise of multiplication:

Naknaks, we will grow more in Christ and we will bear fruits! Fruits that will last. Sorry pud diay nak for my shortcomings.. I'd like to make it up to you.. But nak, please believe in yourself, too.. Tabangay ta ani nak. Lab kaau ta mo! :]

♥♥ More souls will be blessed and become desirous of being consolidated, discipled and sent.

♥♥♥ For the network:

Restoration of broken relationships. Fixation of wounded hearts. Protection from the attacks of the enemy [persecutions, intimidation and temptations]. Despite our present number, the enemy couldn't stop us for God will be our strength! He will make us stronger, He'll live among us and walk with us! We will increase! Hoo! Tira tira CONQUerrORS! Confettiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii! :]

*** My, I'm looking forward to talk to you. I have so much more to say.. But this time, I just want to say THANK YOU and I LOVE YOU for everything. I'm so sorry for the bad.. :(

*** Guys, sorry if I've hurt you intentionally or unintentionally. Sorry if I have not been a good example to you in any way. Please help me put everything back to its proper place. Please be honest with me for I want to learn from you, too. I love you hurot!

I POSTED THIS ON FACEBOOK LAST AUGUST 9, 2010.

Have you found BEST?

Have you found BEST? Nawala man gud xa ba.. Unta makit-an na xa..

"Everybody I know begins with their finest wines and after the guests have had their fill brings in the cheap stuff. But you've saved the best till now!" -John 2:10 [The Message]

I want to talk about SERVANTHOOD.

Hmm. EVERYBODY. Apil ta ana. We're very good starters for we usually give our finest at the start. The moment we have understood that we need to help find and take care of the lost, we start giving what we think is the best thing we could give. We do things we don't usually do. We invest. We sacrifice. We put so much effort unto our service.

But, often times, this attitude couldn't be carried out all throughout the race. In the middle, we tend to give substandard service. Pag tan-aw nato murag puno2x na atong gina-conso, bawas bawasan napud nato atong effort. Baratuhon nga serbisyo na atong ihatag. Yes, they will be filled with the cheap stuff you have given but, I tell you, there will be no satisfaction. They will end up JUST being pressured, not encouraged or inspired. And when they start doing things we don't want them to do, we begin questioning them. We get tired. We get discouraged. Worst, we begin to consider QUITING. But, hey child of God! Aren't you going to assess your self? Maybe you have missed an important point. Or maybe you just really don't know yourself.

Hey, you! Yes, you! YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT! You are made for greater things. Intentionally made to excel in every area. Designed to do BEST. And.. you have saved the best up to now! The question is, "When are you going to give that?"

Hmmm. Save the best for last?! Sa pagkaon nalang na i-apply gang.. Kay paano kung muabot na si Jesus unya? Unsa paman atong mabuhat?

And oh! I don't intend to JUST solicit 'amen' or stuff like that from you to increase the comment count in this post. What I want you to realize is that YOU HAVE THE POTENTIALS! PLUS YOU HAVE A BIG GOD AND NOTHING IS TOO HARD FOR HIM. Jeremiah 32:27 says, ""I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?"

So, again.. WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO FIND 'BEST'?

P.S. I'm talking to myself, too..

P comes after O.

30"Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it.' "

32Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them.

The Lord doesn't know how to lie nor to break His promises. For God is a faithful God, He is faithful to His promises. Whatever He says to me and you is and will always be true. But before we could witness the fulfillment of His promises, there is something we should do which, I firmly believe, is very essential and that is.. to OBEY.

Kay diba: Kung makakita kag piso, dili na maimuha kung dili nimo puniton.. :]

Note: In English alphabet, P comes after O. Hmm. Obedience before Promises. Wee!

Reach out! Do something! *wink*