It's Laughing Time Again

"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

Matthew 25:21

How I wish I'll hear this after I die. For now, let me laugh with this video.

I Am A Goer, Are you?

Just recently two Missionary friends from Mindanao (the second largest Island of the Philippines) visited us here in Cebu. Their goal is to share some updates on what God has been doing in Mindanao and to possibly encourage others to respond to their calling!


Speaking of calling, I have learned after I finished a course of World Missions that there are at least 4 "calling" or "vocations" one can be called for. There are those who send (through finances) people to the field: they are the "SENDERS". There are those who mobilize and encourage people to pray and support the missionaries: they are the "MOBILIZERS". Third are the PRAYER Partners. And of course the GOERS, those who really go out there to the field.


I don't know about you but I have been denying that I can ever be a goer. No, that's not my calling. I'm sure of that. I believe I am a sender and I can even be a prayer partner as well. Those were my usual statements. Really...

But lately God rebuked me!
Choosing to be a sender was first of all WRONG. This calling is not something we choose but is something we respond to. It's not about us doing what we want but it's about God working through us. Being a sender and a prayer partner for me is the easiest way to go. My comfort zone and not really or shall I say not what exactly God had designed me to be.

Second, the WORD of the Lord says in the Book of Matthew

Matthew 28:19-20 (New King James Version)

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

I mean, God didn't say those who have been called to be a goer, GO!
No! He said GO all of you who heard this and who's reading this and yes, including you.

I thought being a GOER takes for me to go to mountainous places and suburban areas and bring the Bible and share the gospel. God made me realize that I have been called to go in HIS special way according to his design for me. He called me to be a GOER to my family first, to my workplace, and to everywhere. And this actually just confirms God's word telling us to be a light, be a salt and be a blessing to the world.

Now, off you go! Go and share the gospel through your life, through your words and through your actions. And by the way, this calling maybe true for me but may not be true for you. You maybe called to Go as a cross-cultural missionary outside of your country or to another tribe or culture. If that's the case then so be it!

We need to just remember, it's not for us to choose but for Him to call.

You can listen to this song I have posted a while back and meditate on the lyrics: I Will GO Where You Want Me To Go

Ministry Is Not About You

Not just a side line job over the weekend.

Not just an ordinary responsibility.

Shouldn't be taken lightly.

Not just an excess of your time

Takes commitment. 100% of it!

Let's you deny yourself. Your "whole" life along with it.

Pushes you to let go of what's holding you back.

Draws you closer to the Lord even more.

Needs your time, effort and attention.

If you choose to follow Him, you'd need to pick up your cross daily.

Not about you but about God working through you.

Definitely not easy but God can!

Ministry.

Matthew 16:24-25 (Amplified Bible)

²⁴Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also].

²⁵For whoever is bent on saving his [temporal] life [his comfort and security here] shall lose it [eternal life]; and whoever loses his life [his comfort and security here] for My sake shall find it [life everlasting].

Prayer Requests

Matthew 18:19-20 19"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

As you all may know, any of you can send me Prayer Requests through my email add at yourdailyword@gmail.com with a subject line: PRAYER REQUEST.

Truly enough, a lot of people from different places have sent in their Prayer Requests and how glad I am to pray for each one. I in fact send the prayer requests to our intercessory team from our church so more people will pray and intercede. I'm still waiting though for testimonies of answered prayers. I'm sure a lot will come as well.

For now, here's my request for each one of you. Let's all intercede and say a little prayer for the following people. These people have sent their requests and isn't it blessed to pray for somebody whom you don't even know and who can be in the other side of the world right now? SO if you're with me, continue reading some prayer requests my readers have sent me and pray for them.


1. "innu"

I am reading all Word of God that u r sending me , Thank you for that favour..

I want u r help in praying for my family ,,

my mom is not keeping well,

my dad is worried too much of financial lackings

my bro is worried of his future

my sis finds difficult to study

and for myself i fell very burdened


so please dear pray for the needy like me one among many................

2. "DB"

I ask you to pray for my daughter's healing, comfort and safety.

Thank you.

3. "WS"

Please pray for my husband to find a job sooner.
Thank you.


4. "Thomas"

Hi,
I'm sure you get a lot of prayer requests so I will try to keep this as short as possible.
A year and a half ago a friend and I started TexLa Software, L.L.C., a software company committed to Horizontal Directional Drilling software. We came up with our first product, the H D Pro Calc. and have worked on it intensely over the last year. We have received some very good feedback on it from a contractor who is helping us with the design but we have yet to sell a copy. My partner and I both had full time jobs when we started the company and done everything at our own costs. In January my partner lost his job and decided to commit all of his time to the company to complete the project so that we could finally get some sales. Well, it's been six months. I am about to lose my job and because of drastic cuts in our hours I can't pay my bills. We are in a downward spiral right now. Our last true hope at the moment is that Christ will finally bring our company up and help us to produce some sort of cash flow.
All in all, I typed into google the phrase "is god the key to success" and came across your blog and I saw that you take prayer request and I would like for you to pray for our business and our financial situations. I am personally at my wits end and don't know how much longer we will be able to hold on.

Thank you very much for your prayer,
Thomas

5. "Felix"

Hi to you brother,

Good day to you and I hope you are in a good condition upon reading this email. I'm here to ask you for a prayer request for my success in blogging business. I hope that the Lord will hear our prayers for the success of His children

6. "Sarah"
just found your blog through Sharon Faith and would like to ask for prayer. I have just finished writing my story, In the Eye of Deception and now seeking to publish.. Can you pray that God will lead me to the right publisher. I know He will. I believe He led me to write. I also need courage to move forward with this and be able to speak about what happened. Thank you. Sarah

May you all lift up these prayer requests of our brothers and sisters. My God Bless in what you do.

P.S.
The names are kept confidential.

Published by Your Daily Word

I Will Go Where You Want Me To Go

This is in connection to my last devotion about Tweeting the Gospel: Spread God's Word.

In this post, I'll bring the devotion a little deeper.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. [Matt. 16:24 (NIV)]

The verse above brings it to a more personal level. Yes, we are to spread the gospel. We are to tell the people the GOOD NEWS. I'm sure we are able to easily do this when nothing is at stake. We can easily obey when no compromise from our end is necessary or needed.

But here's the question:

Will you still Go and Make Disciples when you are asked to actually DENY yourself?

...when you're asked to say no to the usual stuff we have been so used to doing?

...when you're asked to let go of that cigarette stick and that bottle of beer?

...when you're asked to consider other's interest above your own?

...when you're asked to even resign from your Job and let go of something very important according to God's will?

...when you're asked to let go even your very own family?

Now that's the real story.

Christian life is not easy. It takes commitment and perseverance. It takes a 180 degrees turn from the usual life you've lived to the life God has given you to live. It takes you to forget even your own desires and wants to obey God's WILL!

Yes, it's radical. But just as Christ has carried the cross, we are to also carry the same cross in order for us to follow him.

How have you been following Jesus your Lord? Do you opt to follow HIM the easy way (own way), or the better way God had set for us to follow?

Here's a video from Hillsong United which will reinforce the topic at hand. I included the lyrics for better "absorption".

My prayer is for you to be blessed with it and for you to be challenged even more to obey Him in any and every way possible.

I WILL GO by Hillsong United Video, Lyrics

I have found myself in You, the purpose for my life
I discover who I am, as Your spirit touches mine
Every step I take, every move I make
You are by my side
And I will be strong, my strength is in you

I will go where You want me to go
I will do what You want me to do
Yes I will go where You want me to go
I will be who You want me to be

Anything for You
When You ask me I will go
You show the way before me
In Your word I find the truth
You lead me on this journey

Those who trust in you, ever praising You
Will find their strength renewd
I'm gonna make itm, make it happen

God Bless you More!

Published by Your Daily Word

Search Me And Know My Heart

Yesterday was an AMAZING Sunday for me.
First,I'm the preacher. And to be honest, it's just so hard. Not because I don't know how to speak and not because I don't have any material to use. I mean I can just easily search for a Sermon online and study it. But No, I desire to preach and speak the "fresh" word of GOD that comes from the mouth of God. As God's Word would say:

Matthew 4:4 (New International Version)
4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Second, I am one of the teachers for the English Tutorial in our Church. This activity aims to make every member in the Church "excellent" in their speech and writing using the Internationally Accepted English language. I handle the English Grammar while my partner handles Oral Communication.

Lastly, we did some General Cleaning in the Church. This brings me to our reflection for today.

I learned a lot of things while cleaning. Let me share 4 of them.

1.) We don't notice how dirty the place is until you start cleaning.
>> Honestly, I got used to how the Church looked like. I mean I thought it was just okay. I wasn't bothered by it or anything. But yes, when we started cleaning, I and the rest of the group was really surprised how dirty with all the dust and cobwebs. tsk tsk tsk...
2.) Only few people really are willing to help.
>> We invited everyone to help in cleaning the church and only very few showed up.
3.) Cleaning is necessary
>> No need to explain further.
4.) Lastly, it takes effort.
>> It's tiring. You all get wet. You all get dirty. You all get messy. In fact, while writing this my back really hurts. I really don't know why I was doing. (this isn't sign of old age, alright?)

What can we learn from this?

I realize that our lives need cleaning as well. Cleaning from hurts, anger, bitterness, envy, sexual immorality and all other things that contaminate our bodies, minds and spirit.

1.) True, we seldom notice it. We can easily live normal lives even though we know we haven't forgiven somebody yet. Even though we have lied to one person the other day. It's so easy for us to just forget about it and pretend nothing happened. Pretend that we actually chose to keep rather than share and give. Pretend that we failed to share the gospel to our family and friends even though we know God has called us to do so. Let's ask God to look into our hearts and purify us from everything that doesn't glorify Him.

2.) Very few people do this. Why? It hurts. It changes your lifestyle. It contradicts to what you have been used. It BREAKS you. But let's take this time to ask God to give us courage to obey him and be cleaned for His glory. Let's be one of the few.

3.) As we always hear, "If the Lord is not the Lord of ALL, he's not the Lord at ALL." If there's anything in us that doesn't glorify HIM, that can be a hindrance to the fulfillment of God's plan for our lives.

4.) It takes us to persevere and endure. Remember we may be broken down but let's just continue to trust in our Lord knowing that HE knows what He's doing. Be assured also, that in this process you are not left alone. Jesus, our Lord will be there for us and interceding for us. All this for us to continually grow from glory to glory until He comes back to get us.

Psalm 139:23-24 (New International Version)

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.

24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

Pray like a Child | Wordless Wednesday (Almost!)

Matthew 19:14 (New International Version)

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

The Lord's Prayer Explained

I was reading posts from other Christian blogs/sites as I usually do and I bumped into this one post that surely struck me. It's a post from Look to the Lord. I'm sure all of us especially our Roman Catholic friends know The Lord's Prayer. This is the prayer the Lord Jesus Christ gave when the disciples asked him to teach them how to pray. The story is written here: Matthew 6:9-13.

A lot possibly of us have memorized this and have prayed this prayer before but do we really know what every line of it means? Do we really understand what were praying or are we bordering in babbling words like what "pagans" do. Go over to her post here: The Lord's Prayer Revisited where she explained each phrase in the Lord's Prayer in a wonderful and amazing way to make us understand what this prayer really is all about.

Today let us be warned and be reminded, that Prayer should ALWAYS be coming from our hearts and I'm talking not only about this particular prayer. I'm sure there are times that some of our Prayers have become "usual" that we can't help our tongues from saying phrases and words especially for those prayers before meals or even those prayers before we sleep. We are sometimes so used to these prayers that we can't help praying the same thing again and again. Imagine if you're talking to your wife or husband and you say the same thing again and again everyday! That must be so annoying and possibly irritating, right? In the same way, let's treasure every minute of our Prayer time with the Lord. Let's all be reminded that these are our EXCLUSIVE Talk Time with Him, our creator. Let's get rid of repetitive words and/or phrases instead let's focus on what our hearts really want to say to Him.

Here are some past posts about Prayer that I recommend for you to read:

TAWG: Time Alone With God

Answered Prayers: Shout All the More!

Prayers are Answered by God through faith

Pray the Prayer of Jabez

A Father to the Fatherless | Happy Father's Day

Cyndi, a friend from God Nuggets Blog wrote about what she felt when she gave her pet cat a pink bubble gum which is the medicine to heal her from sickness. She felt bad seeing her cat not liking the gum. I'd agree with her, have you ever seen a cat eating bubble gum? That must have been weird for the cat. But here's where I have been blessed with, even if it was painful for the cat and even for Cyndi, she needed to do it because it's for the better.

"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Matthew 7:9-11

These are very words from the Lord Jesus Christ himself. And I'm sure he know what he's talking about because if there's anyone who knows the Father better than anybody else, it's Jesus because they are one! What a wonderful promise indeed! Good Gifts here are not necessarily good based on our understanding but good based on God. (Romans 8:28)

Indeed just like Cyndi, our Father God hurts when we go through trials and/or sufferings. Sometimes because of our own doing or even sometimes because they are necessary. (1 Peter 1:6) But at the end of it all, we are rest assured it's for the better. God loves us so much that He can only afford to give "good" things to us.

It's almost Father's Day and I'd like to take this opportunity to just Praise God the Father for HE IS A GOOD FATHER to us all! He loves us so much that he even gave up his only begotten son to die for us (John 3:16). He loves us so much that he won't allow anything or anyone to snatch us out from his hand (John 10:29).

My father died when I was 2nd Year High School. It was painful. Everytime I remember it, I always cry. Deep inside me, I constantly wish "What if, Papa is still here?". I'm sure he'll be proud of me and I'd promise I'll do everything to make him happy. I love him so much and I thank the Lord for giving me a father like him. He'd always be remembered.

But Praise the Lord still:

A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows,
Is God in His holy habitation.

Psalm 68:5

Even though I no longer have my father, I have the Father in heaven who loves me so much as well.

I also want to praise the Lord for my stepfather: Dad Fortunato Panuncialman who had been there and I believe would always be there for my mom. Thanks Dad for supporting us, for making us happy and for being there for our mama.

To all of you fathers, God Bless you. I praise the Lord for the gift of fathers. To all of you children, don't forget to kiss your father today. and to all of you especially those who are fatherless, our GOD is our FATHER! Praise be His name!

Be a worker for the Harvest | Be a worker for the Lord

Matthew 9:36-38 (NIV)
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

Reflection:

When Jesus ascended to heaven, he left us with a commission to go to the world and make disciples. He didn’t leave it neither only to the disciples nor only to the 500 people who witnessed his ascension. No, Jesus said it to all of us, his believers. This is not just a job of the pastors, ministers and church workers but a job for each one of us. We signed up for it when we accepted Jesus Christ in our hearts.

Sadly, only few have really taken this commission by heart. Only few have really gone to the world and only few have really obeyed. There are a lot of idle workers out there. Workers who chose to keep the treasure they received for free.

You do not need to be missionaries who go to other countries to preach. Because only some people have been called to do that but you can be workers of the Lord even in your own homes, schools and workplaces. You just need to live a life that’s a blessing to others and light for others to follow.

Think about your neighbor, your friends, your family, your workmates, your bosses, your subordinates, they are your harvest field. They are your assignment.

If we don’t stand up and work and harvest them, who will?

Let us pray to the Lord of Harvest to send more Workers to the field. Let us also pray that we be the answers to this prayer.

Today, is Labor’s Day here in the Philippines. And Instead of the usual rallies for salary increase and etc., let me take this opportunity to recognize all our missionaries and workers who are out there in the field laboring, preaching the Word, sharing the Love of God and even suffering for Christ wherever they are. Let this day be a day of reminder to each one of us to pray for them. Let us pray for provision, for perseverance, for strength, for encouragement and for comfort from our Lord Jesus Christ. May they continue to make a difference in other people's lioves. God bless them more!

God bless you too!

Recommended Readings:

Prayers are Answered God gives you Joy

Remember not to Forget Make him your First

Because of his Great Love

You can Do ALL things through Christ

Matthew 19:26 (King James Version)
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”

Reflection:

Who says you can’t do it? Who says you can’t achieve your dreams? Who says you’ll always be a loser and a quitter.

God is telling you, YOU CAN! You can win over troubles. You can fulfill your dreams. You can achieve your goals! You can be a WINNER!

Let’s stop focusing on our own weaknesses and “can’ts”. Let’s stop listening to discriminating words from other people. Let’s stop looking down, let’s start looking up.

Paul wrote a letter to the Philippians saying,

Philippians 4:13 (New King James Version)
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

And Yes, You can also DO ALL THINGS (and I mean ALL) not through your own strength but through Christ who strengthens you.

Be extraordinary, today!

God Bless you!

Recommended Readings:

Stop Worrying, God knows your needs

Pray the Prayer of Jabez

Stop Worrying! God knows your Needs!

Matthew 6:31 - 34 (New International Version)

31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Reflection:

Everyone worries just about anything. It can be as big as where to get the payment for a loan or as petty as what to wear to a party. Some people worry about what other people think about them. Some even worry whether their gadget is up to date. How about you? What things do you worry about? Appearance? Status?

So what if we worry?

We worry because we look at what we can do and not on what God can do through us. Worrying is an act of disbelief, mistrust and doubt on God's sovereignty and power! He said through the prophet Jeremiah, "I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? Jeremiah 32:27".

What the Lord Promises

The Heavenly Father knows what you need even before you ask Him. Yes, you read it right! He already KNOWS what you need. Here's what he's saying in the preceeding verses:

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?
26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.
29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Trust in him in everything!

Furthermore, if we choose to pray, read the Bible, be a blessing to others and do something for God instead of spending time worrying then God will add ALL THE THINGS YOU NEED FAR BEYOND YOU CAN IMAGINE.

God Bless You!