Monday, April 20, 2009
Wow!This time, kakatapos ko lang mananghalian. Hehehe! It's time to share na what I've learned from the camp. Hindi ko man mailagay dito lahat. Pero I know, atleast, naishare at naiblog ko dito.
The very first night of the camp has been very challenging to all. God brought His word through Ptr. Mannie Velante, which had been indeed a great example by which almost all of us could really relate with his testimony. But ofcourse, I cannot really tell you his life, but from being miserable, We saw God's power to change this man.
"Called by God to Change the World" - this really stunned me when I first saw this at the LCD screen. Yes, I know from the past that God had really called me (took it personally), but it was as if I had an amnesia that when I saw this, i say to myself, "Oo nga pala". Then the Pastor asked who among us believed that he is called by God to change the world.. With all my heart, together with the other young people, raised their hands... Are we really able to change the world by ourselves? Let's find out the answers..
In Jeremiah 1:4-5, The Lord came to him and said,
"Called by God to Change the World" - this really stunned me when I first saw this at the LCD screen. Yes, I know from the past that God had really called me (took it personally), but it was as if I had an amnesia that when I saw this, i say to myself, "Oo nga pala". Then the Pastor asked who among us believed that he is called by God to change the world.. With all my heart, together with the other young people, raised their hands... Are we really able to change the world by ourselves? Let's find out the answers..
In Jeremiah 1:4-5, The Lord came to him and said,
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born, I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
before you were born, I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
This very verse reminded me/us how important man is to God.. that man isn't just created to exist.. but to live with a purpose.. to live his life with the fullness of what God has told him to do. God has a wonderful plan for each one of us and we should claim it.
But, oftentimes, we just don't believe that we are important to God. We might think that we are unable to make things out of what we can do. We often think that we are not good enough. We don't think that we don't have the guts or we might pin point others or say "siya na lang, mas magaling siya sakin eh"... Let's see some points...
We've got to:
1. EMERGE
From the old testaments, God calls people from obscurity. He didn't use people that are famous, or great, or known. He uses people who are not that good... like Noah, God didn't call Noah because he can make great arks. Like Moses, Moses even questioned God.. because he didn't even believe in his self. He even asked for a spokeperson... ce Gideon, Gideon asked God.. "God, bakit ako, eh sa lipi ng Israel, ang lahi namin ang pinakamalit... At sa lahi namin, ang pamilya ko ang pinakamaliit. at sa pamilya namin ,ako ang pinakamaliit". Even Pastor Mannie, He had been a drug addict, he ruined his life. He didn't even believe if God exist and he told us, "sa tingin niyo, may karapatan akong magsalita dito sa harapan niyo kung pagbabatayan niyo ung mga ginagawa ko?(rephrased)" God didn't use this people for their greatness. They themseleves didn't even believe that they're great.
In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, The Lord said:
But, oftentimes, we just don't believe that we are important to God. We might think that we are unable to make things out of what we can do. We often think that we are not good enough. We don't think that we don't have the guts or we might pin point others or say "siya na lang, mas magaling siya sakin eh"... Let's see some points...
We've got to:
1. EMERGE
From the old testaments, God calls people from obscurity. He didn't use people that are famous, or great, or known. He uses people who are not that good... like Noah, God didn't call Noah because he can make great arks. Like Moses, Moses even questioned God.. because he didn't even believe in his self. He even asked for a spokeperson... ce Gideon, Gideon asked God.. "God, bakit ako, eh sa lipi ng Israel, ang lahi namin ang pinakamalit... At sa lahi namin, ang pamilya ko ang pinakamaliit. at sa pamilya namin ,ako ang pinakamaliit". Even Pastor Mannie, He had been a drug addict, he ruined his life. He didn't even believe if God exist and he told us, "sa tingin niyo, may karapatan akong magsalita dito sa harapan niyo kung pagbabatayan niyo ung mga ginagawa ko?(rephrased)" God didn't use this people for their greatness. They themseleves didn't even believe that they're great.
"They were not called because they are great. But because they are called, they became great".
In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, The Lord said:
"My grace is sufficient for you,
for my power is made perfect in weakness.
Therefore i will boast all more gladly about my weaknesses,
so that Christ's power may rest on me.
That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight
in weakenesses
in insults
in hardships,
in persecutions,
in difficulties.
For when I am weak, then I am strong"
for my power is made perfect in weakness.
Therefore i will boast all more gladly about my weaknesses,
so that Christ's power may rest on me.
That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight
in weakenesses
in insults
in hardships,
in persecutions,
in difficulties.
For when I am weak, then I am strong"
"The weaker I get, the stronger I become"..
We people have our own weaknesses and strengths. But in our weaknesses, His greatness should be seen. There are many things in this world that we cannot do. In our own power, we cannot change the world.. But with God's power.. and if we allow his power to rest upon us.. we can really change the world.
There are times that we face failures. People may tell us that we can do nothing. Other people may give us "death words" (words na sinabi sa atin, nakasakit sa atin at tumatak sa isip natin.. hanggang sa pinaniniwalaan na natin). But there's one thing that we should belive: What others has said is not importat, but what God is. For what God said is true, is good, corrects faults, rebukes, teaches, etc...
2.EMPOWER
recieve the power when the Holy Spirit comes to you..
The Lord said in Acts 1:8:
There are times that we face failures. People may tell us that we can do nothing. Other people may give us "death words" (words na sinabi sa atin, nakasakit sa atin at tumatak sa isip natin.. hanggang sa pinaniniwalaan na natin). But there's one thing that we should belive: What others has said is not importat, but what God is. For what God said is true, is good, corrects faults, rebukes, teaches, etc...
"God's plan for you goes beyong your pesonal boundaries"
Greatness is not being able to do things that other's can't. It's not about standing out above anyone else. It's the ability to project life that God has given you.2.EMPOWER
recieve the power when the Holy Spirit comes to you..
The Lord said in Acts 1:8:
"But you will recieve power when the Holy Spirirt comes to you...and you will be my witnesses".
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God” (2 Timothy 1:5,6)
We are empowered because we have the Spirit in us All we've got to do is to do our responsibility: To be commited
Oftentimes, we are destructed by the wrong choices we made. We sometimes, caught ourselves in the middle of nowhere and look back that we're in the "effect" of the "cause" of our wrong decisions. It's because of our commitments. Bad commitments leads to bad choices. To rephrase : Your commitments weill determine your choices. If you are truly commited to your school/work, then your choice whether to be with church friends or school friends will be your schoolfriends (example lang yun). Even at Sundays, kailangan pa bang pag-isipan kung magchuchurch o hindi kung commited ka talagang pumunta sa church?. It's commitments -> choices. and How committed are you? It's COMMITMENT AND PASSION! for your Passion will dictate your commitments.
3. ENGAGE
3.1 Intellectuatl Engagement. For we are battling a world of philosophies, how people look at life, how peopple answes life, or how to live it. There are many unanswered questions about life. But there's one thing God gave to us. Read the Bible for it has ALL the answers. Swear!
3.2. Socio-Political Engagement. Politics is not really all about leading a certain city. It's true meaning behind words is the care for the city not just the city, but as well as to care for people living in it. God gave us this world to be taken care of. We should be responsible enough. We shouldn't neglect to clean our very own rooms, (GET THE BROOM AND BROOM THE ROOM), to participate in our homes. The very first ministry that God gave us is our House Ministry. It's more than of the services we can give to our churches. Then to our communities and to the outwards. Also, we shouldn't neglect to pray for the oppressed. To help others specially those in need. (not just financially ah)
3.3. Spiritual Engagement. We should be the light of the world. We should start to ourself - let go of the bitterness when God calls you to love. We should be spiritually equipped. Start growing! Then, let's spread the 'fever' - let's be a blessing to others. Let's be an inspiration to others. Let's have the Spiritual Victory. Let's love God with all our hearts, minds, soul.. with all we've got.
We are empowered because we have the Spirit in us All we've got to do is to do our responsibility:
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God” (2 Timothy 1:5,6)
We are empowered because we have the Spirit in us All we've got to do is to do our responsibility: To be commited
Oftentimes, we are destructed by the wrong choices we made. We sometimes, caught ourselves in the middle of nowhere and look back that we're in the "effect" of the "cause" of our wrong decisions. It's because of our commitments. Bad commitments leads to bad choices. To rephrase : Your commitments weill determine your choices. If you are truly commited to your school/work, then your choice whether to be with church friends or school friends will be your schoolfriends (example lang yun). Even at Sundays, kailangan pa bang pag-isipan kung magchuchurch o hindi kung commited ka talagang pumunta sa church?. It's commitments -> choices. and How committed are you? It's COMMITMENT AND PASSION! for your Passion will dictate your commitments.
3. ENGAGE
3.1 Intellectuatl Engagement. For we are battling a world of philosophies, how people look at life, how peopple answes life, or how to live it. There are many unanswered questions about life. But there's one thing God gave to us. Read the Bible for it has ALL the answers. Swear!
3.2. Socio-Political Engagement. Politics is not really all about leading a certain city. It's true meaning behind words is the care for the city not just the city, but as well as to care for people living in it. God gave us this world to be taken care of. We should be responsible enough. We shouldn't neglect to clean our very own rooms, (GET THE BROOM AND BROOM THE ROOM), to participate in our homes. The very first ministry that God gave us is our House Ministry. It's more than of the services we can give to our churches. Then to our communities and to the outwards. Also, we shouldn't neglect to pray for the oppressed. To help others specially those in need. (not just financially ah)
3.3. Spiritual Engagement. We should be the light of the world. We should start to ourself - let go of the bitterness when God calls you to love. We should be spiritually equipped. Start growing! Then, let's spread the 'fever' - let's be a blessing to others. Let's be an inspiration to others. Let's have the Spiritual Victory. Let's love God with all our hearts, minds, soul.. with all we've got.
Participate more at home, read the Bible, Grow! Change! Change yourself towards improvement.
Change your life and you will know your destiny!
(upnext: The Race from Ptr. Jon Espanolla)
Change your life and you will know your destiny!
(upnext: The Race from Ptr. Jon Espanolla)
