Tag: Jesus

Daily Ponder: What it means to have have family as priority.

Posted in Daily ponder, Random thoughtsTagged , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

2024 brought the incredible joy of our first child, but also a series of health and home challenges. This year has been transformative and has solidified one powerful truth. Family will always be my first priority. Here’s how I put it into practice.

Family will always come first. It means that my wife and my child are my utmost priority, while all others come second. I have learned to protect precious time for my family. When a family member was ill, I had to drop whatever I was doing. The same happened during an urgent house situation. I had to move my family to a safer place. I then delegated tasks if possible. This allowed me to go home. I can be with my family or take care of the house situation.

Protect my family time. Never feel guilty with putting off events, meetings and gatherings that crosses with your valuable time with family. This means I have to say no to activities. These activities take my quality time with family, especially in the evening. If there is anything that needs consideration, we have to schedule it ahead. I need to talk to my wife about it.

My family is my first ministry. As a minister, I have been taught repeatedly not to sacrifice my family for success or ministry. The strength of my ministry life, starts at home. I have the divine privilege to have family and lead this family.

I am grateful and blessed. I have a wonderful community and fellow workers. They have extended so much grace and help in this season. They have been our extended family in a country not our own. They made this season easier for us. When my wife gave birth, our friends organized a food train. Our friends and community sent us food for 3 weeks. We were so touched by the love we received. Other friends came and helped take care of the baby. They also helped my wife when she was sick and I was sleepless. A workmate help me with my workload so that I can take care more of my family.

Putting my family first hasn’t diminished other areas of my life; it’s strengthened them. By prioritizing my family, I’ve found greater clarity, focus, and purpose in everything I do.

The language of authentic love

Posted in LifeTagged , , , , Leave a comment

“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.”

Nelson Madela

From living in the Philippines to moving in Central America is a huge cross cultural jump, while I find latinos very near to Philippine culture it would be safe for me to not assume completely that the culture here is same as mine.

language connect us to people, as a messenger of the gospel and eternal hope, learning the language is my priority to be able to connect and comunicate the message of Jesus.

I invested in expensive intensive spanish classes, which paid off really well and fast track my capacity to understand and speak the langauge.

So I thought, that was enough. Months later a couple of friends had arrive as well, we are here to know and meet the students of Panama and share the love of Jesus. Help them grow in their relationship with Jesus.

As my friend Toffer, full of joy, life, and energy, right away jump off meeting with students, while he wasn’t speaking the language at that time yet, I learned from him that more than being able to communicate in their langauge, nothing beats the language of authentic love and care, enormous curiosity which made him very fruitful in gaining friends and winning locals for Christ.

His life reminded me, that more than words I can speak, it is the act of loving, offering authentic friendships, and humility towards people we seek to preach the gospel is the way to go.

Despite the little capacity to speak spanish, he spoke and act a universal language we all can speak and act, the aunthentic language of genuine love and intentionality for the people. I was caught up of aquiring the language, I was missing out this as aspect. Thank God for Toffer demonstrating this act.

Daily ponder: In times of trials

Posted in Daily ponderTagged , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

The past two year has been the most difficult of the most, maybe you have experienced a salary cut, a job loss, a business, loss someone. Maybe the bills are piling up and the debts is just growing and provisions seems no-where in sight.

These are moments of trials, I have been reading through revelations and it was prophesied there that God’s people will go through extreme persecutions and hardship. What should we do when we do when we are in times of trial and even worse.

This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.

Revelation 14:12

We are called to remain faithful to Jesus to the end.

Nobody in the right mind would actually like to pursue a life of suffering and pain. We are actually inclined to live a life in pursuit of convenience and happiness. But life is not like that. It is an illusion, the Bible is clear that there will be trials and tribulations, many faithful men and women to the Lord died a tragic death continually professing faith to Christ. We are called to be faithful to the end to Jesus because we know that this time on earth is only temporary and eternity is set before us. Dead has not sting on those who believe and put their faith on Christ.

We are called to patient endurance.

In the middle of suffering and pain, we normally express “How long oh Lord I must suffer” the very same lines as King David expressed in the book of Psalms. It is okay to express to the Lord our grievances, but no matter what it our clear picture of who He is and His promises that will keep us on the journey of patient enduring. We can be patient knowing we have a promised keeper with us. We have a faithful God that is beyond what this physical life and the is the hope we have in Him. I am no seeker of a reward, but it is who promises it and desires to give it to those who remain faithful to the end.

Friend, If you are reading this. Thank you! It is my prayer that this thought of the day, spoke well to your soul. There is no such thing as an accident, everything happens weather we accept this or not. As you come across this blog of mine, this might be for you or a person you know. God bless your heart and your whole being!

Where do you lean on?

Posted in Daily ponderTagged , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Daily Ponder: #022

I don’t understand, I have given my best, I have tried to do all that is possible on my end but things don’t seem to be moving in the expected direction. I felt trap and frustrated.

As I battle through these emotions earlier, I got reminded of proverbs 3:5-6. Lean not one your own understanding, I was trying to grasp the events but I couldn’t. But I got reminded to trust in the lord and bring into submission that weighs my heart.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

Things may not make sense at the moment, nor in the coming days but I can trust the Lord that this too is His will. This is an opportunity to lean on him all the more, to trust in Him. This is a growing opportunity, to grow in trusting Him and His words.

His ways are perfect, It’s tried and tested. I have experienced that and there will always be moments in my life I need to go back to that. In trusting Him, I submit in His Lordship and His leadership, He knows best for me.

Submission may not be easy for you. Trusting may have been the hardest, But He isn’t human. He is beyond compared. He knows and He listens. He will always have the better plans, nor directions.

Not sharing is a form of isolation.

Posted in Daily ponderTagged , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Daily Ponder: #020

This caught my attention while watching doom patrol, while the context of this is for the team to open up and have conversations, It resounded in me as well as I work with a team and this applies as well in life key relationships. Here are some of my thoughts and would love you hear what you think about it as well.

Un-intentional isolation

Sometimes we aren’t really aware we are keeping it to ourself. In most cases you might have been so used to it, it’s doesn’t bother to share.

Intentional Isolation

Most often this happens out of fear, fear of being known, being rejected, being seen as something else, fear of being seen as weak. But it can also be out of pride, selfishness and arrogance.

To share is to be vulnerable.

To be vulnerable is never easy, it is never comfortable. Vulnerability is a strength and sign of humility.

The strength of working relationship is trust, foundational in teams and personal lives. It also takes wisdom in communicating but never the less, we must gather the strength to speak up when needed specially opening up areas in our lives that we may invite others to come and help, provide advise and assistance.

Daily Ponder: #019

Posted in Daily ponderTagged , , , , , Leave a comment

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.

Revelation 3:19 NIV

As I went through the Book of Revelations today at chapter 3 verse 9. I was reminded of how love operate in our lives and in our community.

Love does not tolerate what is wrong, rather out of love it addresses issues that does not please the other. In this case, the issues was that the people of faith in laodica was neither cold or hot. this is where the rebuke came from. Hence an invitation to repentance.

Love invites us to change that leads to repentance. Godly love will always bring the best in us that transforms us to Christ-likeness. Biblically we are to transform into the character of Christ.

Repentance is also a fruit of love, because of it’s genuine intention and motivation that springs from a revelation of God.

Daily Ponder : The Love you have lost

Posted in Daily ponderTagged , , , , , , Leave a comment

#018

 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

Revelation 2:4-5 NIV

The Love you had first

One of the interpretation is that Ephesus had lost its early love for Christ. Another interpretation is that Ephesian believers had lost its love for one another and needed to revive compassionate works they did at first. Many interpreters think both are in view, since love for christ and love for one another is related.

ESV STUDY BIBLE COMMENTARY

My thoughts:

Our tendency to lost our love for Christ, over theological knowledge and wisdom is one of the many battle a Christian has to weight in and check our hearts carefully. We can be passionately zealous for the mission, for the ministry, for evangelism, public ministry and have a heart so far from Christ is a pity.

On another extreme, we have lost grace towards fellow believers on their failings, shortcomings and probably their convictions aren’t satisfying enough on our eyes. The community becomes dry of love when to much driven on working and no loving relationship exist.

Our love for Christ, over flows in our relationships and community. We will always be in a heart check, knowing our sinful tendency, But praise be to God for His grace in our lives that enables us to repent and go back to our first love. Jesus Christ.

Daily Ponder: #017

Posted in Daily ponderTagged , , , , , Leave a comment

But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

Jude 20–21 NIV

The best antidote to the lies of this world is by building up our most holy faith. Build is the key word. This entails labor on our end, the discipline and effort, the humility and a hear that desires God more than anything else.

Build the faith, not out of obligation but rather out of the revelation of the underserved grace, mercy and love. Build the faith because we cherish it the most.

Praying in the Holy Spirit does not mean talking to God about our agendas but rather in a sense praying in harmony with the leading of the Holy Spirit.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

Romans 8:26-27 NIV

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Ephesians 6:18 NIV

Daily Ponder: #016 The leader who cared

Posted in Daily ponderTagged , , , , , Leave a comment

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

3 JOHN 4 NIV

The past few days I took time ponder in the book of John ( 1-3 John). Theologians say that it is more likely the apostle John who wrote it. But definitely the author of this book in a an elder of the church.

Going through the pages the past few days, I felt it was a father and a friend communicating. It is evident with how the author addresses the recipients. “My dear children, or My Friend.”

It made me appreciate His leadership, He was loving and blunt about the truth that the believers may walk in truth that honors God. He gave practical advise in living out the faith, in showing love and how to Honor God.

He reminded the people to go back to the beginning ( the Gospel ) and never fails to mention about the truth. ( Jesus ) John 3:14 Jesus is the way, the truth and the life no one comes to the Father except through Him. He was never silent about these things.

As he mentions these lines. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” John see the believers as sons and daughters, as his children and family. It reminds me as well of the joy of seeing the students I have help before to walk in the way of Christ. Is is indeed a joy to see.

What an awesome leader John is, We need leaders like him. Thank God for His life and being use by God.

Daily Ponder #015 The truth

Posted in Daily ponderTagged , , , , Leave a comment

Because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.

2 John 2-3 NIV

Because of the truth,

The word truth is prominent in John’s greetings, perhaps because early Christians saw themselves as being in close communion with Jesus, who called himself the truth ( John 14:6 I am the way, the truth and the life..)

Which lives / abides in us and with us forever…

The gospel that unites lives in us and is a shared faith among believers, not just a personal conviction.

with us in truth and love.

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.

Jesus is the truth. His truth liberates, transforms, brings life, brings healing, brings joy. His truth is done and finish, He died for you and me that we may be save from our sinful selves, bring salvation in us. His truth comes with His love. A love that that is so powerful it enables us to love as He does.

May you come to terms with His truth and His love.