DAY32? WHAT’S NEXT AFTER THE IGNITE DEVOTIONALS?

Today is supposed to be my 32^nd day of doing the IGNITE2011 devotionals, unfortunately, the topics are only made till day31. Somehow, nakakamiss din pala yung magdwell dun sa devotional but I guess, I need to MOVE TO THE NEXT LEVEL; and as I was just reading my bible today, I just had a thought that flashed on my mind, “So, now that you’re finished with the Ignite Devotionals, WHAT’S NEXT? ” I just kept on asking and asking and asking the same questions on my mind over and over and again. SO, WHAT’S NEXT NGA BA TALAGA?

If there is one HUGE THING that these devotionals did to me, IT’S TO FINISH WHAT I STARTED!! Meditating on different topics and making a blog for 31 days isn’t a normal thing for me to do! Oftentimes, I want to stop it already, but there is something in me that is telling me to FINISH what I have STARTED!! There were a lot of distractions! TV, cellphone, sleeping (HAHA), plus the fact that our review class with our Clinical Instructors just started (so more reading should be done!!!!), men! It’s really hard to set your priorities! But I guess when you really desire something to happen, no matter what hindrances may come, if you are really eager to do it, nothing would be able to stop you! And of course, with FAITH and with GOD’S GRACE, I was able to finish the devotionals!!

So, what’s the point of all this DEVOTIONAL THING on FINISHING WHAT I HAVE STARTED? Somehow, my perspective in life changed!! Since I have surrendered my life to Jesus, all I cared for was for ME to gain something, ME to be equipped, ME, ME and ME! I did realize that IN THIS RACE CALLED LIFE, you need MORE of JESUS and LESS of YOURSELF in order to survive this walk! ANOTHER THING is that we cannot finish this race alone! We need GOD to lead us the way and we need our SPIRITUAL FAMILY on our side to teach, guide and encourage us! J ALSO, WE NEED TO PERSEVERE UNDER TRIALS! Being a Christian doesn’t mean that you are excepted from all the problems in life! The more you give your life to God nga eh the more the trials would come! But that doesn’t necessarily means that we need to GIVE UP IMMEDIATELY!!! LET’S RUN IN SUCH A WAY AS TO WIN THE PRIZE!! J

1CORINTHIANS 9:24

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

HEBREWS 12:1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

This is what’s next after the devotionals! As I have finished doing that in 31 days, I also NEED TO FINISH THIS RACE WITH GOD AT MY HEART AND MY SPIRITUAL FAMILY on my side! C’mon! Let’s run this race called life! Let’s finish what we have started! J

DAY31: ANCHOR YOUR FAITH

This is the last day of the devotionals J I guess after this, things will go back to the way it used to be! NO WAY!!! J These topics has somehow helped me a lot and has IGNITED MORE the FIRE that is in me for JESUS! My prayer is that after this great experience that I had, I would be able to maintain this PASSION for JESUS that is within me J

There is no way but up. However, to go higher we must dig deeper and make our foundation sure. As we continue to move forward in our Christian journey, are we deeply rooted in the basic truths of our faith? It important that we make sure of this early on as we are sure to face many new things ahead— good and bad alike, may it be simple or complex to comprehend.

Let us be sure and convinced of the reason why we are living this way, why we are doing what we are doing, and why we believe this Truth and fling our lives to it. If our faith is anchored on the right foundation that is God, then we can go higher. And if moments come when we get confused about things, we can always go back to our Anchor who is constant and cannot be shaken. As our faith is anchored right, let us soar high for God’s honor.

I just remembered something from the Prophetic Presbytery that happened several months ago at Victory Lucena. There was a portion in the prophesy (sa ‘kin) that was pertaining to a STRONG FOUNDATION! That I could go higher daw because of that strong foundation that would be built in me! Somehow, whenever I think of those foundations, all I’m thinking is about FAITH and REPENTANCE.

I never started okay with my relationship with God! I used to be the kid who just says HI to Grace del Moro whenever I walk at the grounds of Pacific Mall (not attending the service pa that time) and it was until my SUMMER AFFILIATION that I had a TURNING POINT to God! Imagine how long that was! I was exposed to the music ministry without even ministering to people! I just sang the song out of the lyrics but not with conviction! My God, that was awful! But the thing is, as I dwell more on God’s word and lived by faith although I didn’t know what I was doing that time, made a huge impact on my Christian Walk today! Di ko din alam kung ano ang nangyari, hehe. BUT IT’S ALL BY THE GRACE OF JESUS! All I did was to OBEY him!

As of this time, the devotionals will be over! But the trials and the testing of faith will continue! So if your foundation is weak, you’ll be able to sink in the ocean! However, just like Peter when he walked on water, if you have that FAITH that whatever happens, God will always be there to lift you up, then there’s nothing to be afraid of!

Ako? Siguro because of my GIFT OF FAITH, I always try to live by FAITH! I’m not saying that I am not attacked! Most of the time nga eh sobrang painful ang attacks eh! But that doesn’t mean that I have to dwell on that attack and let it eat me whole! God is more powerful than every problems that we are facing! And it takes FAITH to believe that! Also, it takes FOUNDATIONS! If you will believe by faith that Jesus has already overcome the enemy, then what’s the point of saying that the attack is powerful! Actually, the reasons why (siguro) we think that the attack is more powerful, is that, we ourselves are still holding back on the hope that we profess! Ikaw mismo, di ka pa sigurado jan sa FAITH na meron ka!

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23

Just hold on to the VINE. You know why a lot of people have backslidden in the church? KASI DECISION NILA ‘YON! Despite of the OVERWHELMING GRACE OF GOD, they still feel that the enemy is powerful. Minsan, nakakalungkot, pero madalas NAKAKAINIS NA! Actually, we have a CHOICE naman eh! Whether we will involve ourselves to such act or not! But the sad thing is, most people tend to forget God na parang walang nangyari sa Christian walk nila L.

So now, what do you want to do? Will you stay or will you join the rest of them, THE DECISION IS YOURS!! Pero sana naman, isipin mo din kung ano yung nararamdaman ni GOD!!

DAY30: PURITY

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God ’s holy people. -> Ephesians 5:3

As a guy, it’s really hard to resist temptation! Most of the time, guys are more exposed to such cases. I dunno why pero siguro it’s because temptation on guys are more on the physical side while on the women, its more on the emotional side; that’s why mas exposed sa guys. (EWAN. HAHA)

But whatever side we talk about regarding temptation, it’s still a big issue! And as Ephesians 5:3 told us, it’s not just about sexual immorality, but any kind of impurity, or of greed! Why? Because these are all improper to God’s holy people (Ephesians 5:3)

(Galing sa devotional)

What traits or practices in your family distinguish you from other families? We all have that certain uniqueness in our households may it be positive traits or those that we would rather remain hidden. God’s family also has distinguishable values that set it apart from the world.

When we accepted Jesus in our lives, His sacrifice on the cross has washed us clean and has made us God’s children. This is His promise (Isaiah 1:18; Galatians 4:6) which we are really not worthy of but are enjoying because of God’s goodness and mercy. As God’s children and His people, we are expected to live according to the standards of God’s household. One of which is purity—in thoughts, words, actions, and lifestyle. Let us pursue purity by washing ourselves with the Word every day (Romans 12:2).

HELPFUL indeed! J As we continue living to please God and imitate His goodness and greatness, syempre we need to turn away from ALL KNOWN SIN! Being a Christian for more than 3 years, it’s not easy to turn away from sin at all! ITS NOT AN OVERNIGHT THING! J But the good thing is as we continue to commit our lives to Christ, the holy spirit convicts us every time we indulge ourselves to the pleasures of sin! Now, because I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior, I need to stay away from every deed that displease God! I know it’s hard, but God is there to help! With ourselves, we cannot do it at all! J

While dwelling on the word, a few points flashed on my mind….

1. TO LIVE A PURE LIFE IS A DECISION!

Just like when we decided that we want to give our lives to Jesus! Turning away from all known sin is also a DECISION that we need to make! God is giving us a CHOICE; to be with Him forevermore as we turn away from sin or suffer the consequences of our actions especially when it displeases Him! J

2. ITS NOT HARD TO LIVE A PURE LIFE

Mahirap talagang magbago! Ako mismo, nahirapan eh! But what’s amazing about God is day by day, He changes your attitude, your ways, your conviction and many more in yourself! He’s so amazing that all you need to do is to give him everything and ALLOW HIM to direct you towards to PURITY!

Yeah! Temptations will always be there and we might fall over and over again! But God is always there to help us up and restore us! DADATING DIN YUNG TIME NA MAGSASAWA KA NANG GUMAWA NG SOMETHING NA UNPLEASING SA KANYA KASI PARANG SINASAKTAN MO LANG DIN YUNG SARILI MO EVERYTIME NA SINASAKTAN MO SYA! J

3. WHEN YOU TRULY UNDERSTAND THAT THE ENEMY IS DEFEATED MORE THAN 2000 YEARS AGO, YOU’LL BE ABLE TO RESIST TEMPTATION! J

Just like what I said in #1, we can choose to stay away from sin! But you know what, most people think? Kaya sila lagging nag fall sa sin? Is “BECAUSE THEY THINK THAT THE TEMPTATION IS SO POWERFUL THAT YOU CANNOT RESIST IT”! But if all of us would be able to understand that THE ENEMY IS DEFEATED a long long time ago pa! Then siguro, we would be able to stay away from sin more! Why? Eh kasi kung meron mang ginagawa si Satan ngayon, nangungulit na lang sya!

4. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE TESTED

This is actually true! J we will all experience tests that will determine if our heart really belongs to God! So I say, let’s all gear up! Because there’s a BIG BATTLE that is going on! J

To those that would read this, hehe. I hope na helpful sya! J I know kulang na kulang ‘to! I still need to work on blogging J

DAY29: DAILY FUEL

Just had a great day today! J Mission accomplished for introducing Meg to Jesus today with our 121! I was also blessed seeing the next generation of worshippers kanina on our Music Ministry meeting! It’s really sad that I have to leave the team na, not just because I don’t want to be a part of the team anymore, but there are a lot of other things that God wants me to be with today. Kanina, I formally announced to the team that I am not the Ministry Head anymore, I have told them that Hyacnth and Quirah will take over heading the team as I concentrate on my review for the December NLE (may review pag Sunday L) plus the fact that I need to concentrate on Transition, Giving and on Preaching.

I was just amazed kanina, especially when I was speaking to the leaders! I was amazed on how God molded me to do and say such things kanina. My walk with God has been full of ups and downs and a lot of stretching has been made during my senior year! Despite of all the hardships and the sacrifices I have to give to obey God, I am really thankful that God laid His foundations in me! Without His word (BIBLE) that I have meditated day and night, I wouln’t be able to reach this far on my relationship with God!

While I was explaining the topic about salvation to Meg, I always try to explain such things to him with the help of the bible! Kasi sa panahon ngayon, madali nang mag-imbento ng sasabihin; di lang ‘yon, madaling manloko ng tao! That’s why I tend to explain such things to him using the bible as the rationale! Thank God, he responded very well! I am so excited on what God will do in the coming days! J

Whenever I see my bible, I just couldn’t help but be amazed on how God made that! He used people of different eras, ages, personalities and even culture to write the books in the bible and yet, you can see the unity of the verses! J But you know what, whenever I could see my bible, I could feel a BURDEN! Most people kasi, whenever they see the bible, they just place it on an altar sa home; THEY ARE NOT READING IT! Eh sobra kayang important ng bible sa daily lives natin! More than 3000 promises are written in it yet most people tend not to read it :(

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. ->Joshua 1:8

This is one promise that the bible gives us! If we’ll meditate on God’ word day and night, we would be prosperous and successful! Why settle on reading anything else, when you can read the Best love story ever told! (BIBLE). As for me, I’ll continue to read my bible as my daily fuel! J

DAY28: WHAT IS YOUR SHOUT OUT?

Wohoo! Just had a tiring but a fulfilled Sunday! J Waking up at 2:30am (HAHA, due to pagod) isn’t a normal routine to start a day but thank God that I was able to wake up early (kasi di ko nay un nagagawa ngayon. HAHA). God is indeed so faithful and able! Even though there were some problems sa music team kanina; latecomers, less time of practice, trouble in finding a onelifetolive shirt (HAHA), God turned everything upside down and made the service a God-filled one J. After the service, I was also able to spend time with Lyan, Sen, Johnrey, Kiti, Mark and Maica eating lunch together (MISSED THAT), not to mention the awesome word given by Pastor Ed Ty during the 4pm service at Victory Lucena J After that, I was able to talk to Ronnie Quesea about some things (waaah, really missed that), then I was just time for our dinner with my Family at Ground Zero (dream come true.haha). Tiring, yet fulfilling! J

I have read in the bible that the heart is deceitful above all things; and out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Para sa ‘kin, mas masakit ang isang bagay when it came from the mouth rather than on physical force. Pag nasaktan kasi ako ng katabi ko, the pain will stop at the moment but whenever someone gives me discouragement thru words, the pain remains L.

Growing up with a PERFECTIONIST DAD isn’t a great story to tell. Most of the persons who knows my dad often told me (pag tinatanong ko) that my dad daw was cool person, fun to be with, has a great sense of humor and a people person. Yeah he’s like that, but not at home L. There are many things that I dislike about my dad and siguro seeing him like that since I was a child made me like him before. Dumating yung time na mainitin na din ang ulo ko and I tend to speak harsh words to people. But thank God that when I met Him, I was convicted of what I was doing! That is why when I became a Christian, I really prayed to God to use me as His mouthpiece to bring blessing to people. I really want my mouth to be filled with positive thoughts rather than discouraging onesJ

Indee, God was so gracious! He even gave me a gift of encouragement! Oftentimes, especially nowadays, I tend to talk to people who are discouraged and thank God kasi because of His grace, people are being released on the burdens that they are experiencing!

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 18:21

I learned from the bible that BITTERNESS is a heart issue! Well, the mouth speaks out of the abundance of our hearts and if our hearts are not free from bitterness, we will just continue to hate people! I remember the time when I was released from bitterness, it was after I fully surrendered my life to Jesus! I realized that if God forgave my sins, then I should also learn to forgive others! When I started doing that, God gave me a new heart! Now, whenever I get offended, I just ask forgiveness to God for having a negative attitude and pray for me to forgive the person that offended me! Although most of the times, nakaka offend pa din ako siguro because of me personality. HAHA J

Still, thanks to God that I was able to gain a new heart, A NEW HEART FULL OF FORGIVENESS AND ENCOURAGEMENT! J6

DAY27: PASS IT ON!

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.

2 Timothy 2:2

Somehow, I am really blessed to be the part of the team that God has placed here in Lucban! At a young age, I was able to fully accept a different kind of responsibility that really stretched out my faith and my commitment! Dito kasi, “Leader na agad ang role mo!”. As early as after the Victory Weekend, you have to leave the elementary teachings because IT’S NOW TIME TO PASS IT ON!

I can still remember tuloy the first time that I experienced freedom after the VW! I was really shocked (AS IN CULTURE SHOCK) when things were addressed to me as a leader already! Well, I was first reached out kasi si Lucena, and knowing people there and mingling with them, I was kinda imitating that we’re at the SAME LEVEL (I guess I was focusing on the LEVELS that time and not on GOD’s way of leading people to MATURITY)! Eh that time, it’s like all the men leaders are graduating! Si Kuya Jano, Bisteh, Kirt, Kevin, Arneil, di Don-don na lang ata yung natira at si Kuya Webster, nawala pa sila after some time. SO WE DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO AT ALL! We wanted to do this and that, but we can’t kasi no one passed it to us or let us say that they wanted to, but because they already graduated from college, they weren’t able to. L

So the story continued like this: We thought that ITS BETTER TO HAVE A KNOWLEDGE FIRST ON CHRISTIAN MINISTRY before doing the leader thing, so we enrolled at EVERY NATION LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE (I guess that time, di ko pa alam yung MYTH OF MINISTERING; that no one will be able to get maturity unless you minister first!). Dahil nga I as both exposed to Victory Lucena and Victory Lucban; 2 places with different cultures and probably different strategies when it comes to reaching out to students, I was kinda confused! Although the theories and the principles are the same (which is from the WORD of GOD), nahirapan ako on how to apply it immediately kasi I was exposed on 2 different places (before I realized that I need to focus on one). So the years passed that I continued on learning but not applying such things into action L. I was doing well in the Music Ministry at Lucena but a lot of Victory Weekends passed that I have no candidates! Why? Kasi puro ministry nasa isip ko, not discipleship! Even dumating pa dun sa moment that they needed to raise the bar sa music; that the team in order to stay needed to have an accountable leader and a small group, eh that time, WALA NA ATA L. Then 2^nd semester came at Victory Lucban, due to the poor attendance during the youth services tapos wala na atang visible na Lifegroups that time, they had to close the services for us to focus on small group discipleship. L

Good thing God was really good! He changed everything! He prepared us on the on the greater things that He will do at Lucban! I can still remember the question that is brought to my mind everytime I attend a worship service at Victory Pioneer, “bakit ang dami nila? What seems to be the secret” (Siguro nanibago lang talaga ako, kasi dumating na dun sa point na halos kakilala ko na lahat ng umaated sa service sa Lucena) Then God will just place on word on my mind “DISCIPLESHIP”, that was my turning point! I decided to focus my senior year on Victory Lucban, so I released all my commitment on Victory Lucena and focused on Lucban! Who would’ve thought that God would be stirring out the fire of the leaders in this place in terms of reaching out to the younger generation! J

When it comes to discipleship, we do it strategically here at Victory Lucban! Mostly kasi ng mga students that are studying here are from neighboring places from the other parts of Quezon and Laguna; so, 4 YEARS LANG ANG MAXIMUM NA ITATAGAL NG ISANG LEADER if he/she was reached out during his/her FRESHMEN days!

As for us, the current leaders, we want to PREPARE the students for LIFE! The current GENERATION ONE leaders (Kiti, Johnrey, Jocy, Hyacnth, Maica, Vanessa, Kat, Riz, Melvin and Me) were the survivors from the silent months that happened to Victory Lucban, and SYEMPRE! We don’t want them to experience the things that we experienced! J

“WHENEVER WE SEE THE YOUTH, GOD SEE’S POTENTIAL”

I am really excited on what God has in stored for the next generation! Whenever I see Mark Ponce’s leadership, Coleen Abueva’s passion, Joan Tonio’s excitement, Rannel Bravante’s commitment, Francis Dator’s mode of intercession and Rachel Cadeliña’s desire to know God more, wow! I can sense that these people would be better than us! They would be able to do even greater things than what we have done! And knowing the fact that these students who are currently the officers of Lifebox Lucban are only sophomore students (except for Rachel and 3^rd year).

Seeing these people inspires me a lot to find younger people that would inherit the same vision that they are having right now! Age isn’t a restriction! Mas maganda nga na as young as you are, ma-expose ka na on these things! J

As for me, I WILL BE FOREVER PASSIONATE in reaching out on the NEXT GENERATION! J As a current leader, I will continue to Engage culture and community, Establish biblical foundations, Equip believers to minister and Empower disciples to make disciples! God’s last commandment should be our first priority! J This generation I believe is the branch that God is talking about that would be fruitful! J

ISAIAH4:2

In that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel.

Jeremiah23:25

The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.

DAY26: EXCELLENCE

I am really blessed to have a God like our God! More and more, as I grow in my relationship with God, I want to imitate Him more and more! J Whenever I want to describe the Maker, I just couldn’t describe Him! He is really INDESCRIBABLE! J With the topic today being related to the word excellence, wala akong maimagine na ibang persons na pwedeng maging recipient ng word na EXCELLENCE from me!:) None other than God himself! And as much as I want to imitate God more, I also want to imitate His excellence! J

Sigh! Time is really fleeting so rapidly! Parang kahapon lang, I just opened the last chapter of my college life as a SENIOR, and now, I am officially a NLE-REVIEWEE! J Somehow, I am really looking forward on the next days of our review but most importantly, I am ANXIOUS! I know kasi the fact that during my college days, I wasn’t able to focus on my studies! Nitong 2^nd semester nga lang gumanda yung grades ko sa classcard eh! Before kasi, I was really confused whether I really want to pursue my calling as a nurse, which turned out to what I am doing right now; yun nga lang, sad to say that I am not that prepared pa for the board exam! It was just yesterday that I heard that the July NLE will be on Saturday and Sunday and you know what, If I would be taking the exam on Saturday, man I tell you, I’ll definitely FAIL! L

It’s really not easy to be in this situation! Especially when you want to be a successful NLE Passer! Kaya lang I have to face the fact that this things that are happening to me right now are all effects of things that I did in the past! Feeling discouraged once again, God gave me His word for today:

Philippians 4:8

New International Version (NIV)

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

God didn’t include ANXIETY, FEAR, DISCOURAGEMENT and other negative thoughts in this verse, so why think of such things? I was really reminded that God is still in control of every situation that I am facing (or even yours! Right now, to tell you the truth, I am really bothered by the results of my recent diagnostic exams from the tests that was given by our Clinical Instructor! That’s why I want to strive for excellence! I don’t know how, BUT ALL I KNOW IS GOD HOLDS IT and as I IMITATE HIM MORE AND MORE, I would be able to achieve this EXCELLENCE! J

I know that it’s not enough just to RELY ON GOD BY FAITH na papasa ako sa December NLE! That’s why I WANT TO DO SOMETHING! GOD, I WILL PASS THE BOARD EXAM FOR YOU! I will continue to IMITATE YOUR EXCELLENCE and will do EVERYTHING for me to achieve that not just for the board exam but in everything that I will do! GOD, this is all for you! J