roman guevara

RISE UP
Inspirational Readings for Personal Growth

by

ROMAN GUEVARA

“Busy for the Kingdom”

Scripture: When

Matthew 6:33-34³³But 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.

I remember when i was still a high school student, naging guest namin sa aming Prayer Meeting si Helen Vela.

Para sa mga hindi umabot sa kasikatan ni Helen Vela, nakilala ito, bilang isa sa pinaka kilalang personalidad sa radyo at telebisyon noong late 70’s, most of the 80’s, and until the early 90’s.

Her show “Lovingly Yours, Helen” was a very popular TV production. That when she became a Born Again Christian, nakatulong siya ng malaki, until her death in 1992, upang marami sa mga taga-showbiz, ang makakilala din kay Lord.

I will never forget what she said during our Prayer Meeting.

She said, “nakakalungkot, na maraming tao, maraming christians, even christian leaders, they are too busy for the kingdom, but no time for the king”.

I remember, marami sa amin ang nahamon ng kanyang message, at nabless sa kanyang testimony.

At bakit naman hindi?

Totoo naman, marami naman talaga na busy for the kingdom, but doesnt give quality time for the king of the kingdom, na walang iba kundi si God.

What Helen Vela was saying, is this. Pwedeng laman kalagi ng simbahan. Hindi ka umaabsent sa Prayer Meeting, Bible Study, Cell Group, Worship Service. Pwedeng active na active ka sa Worship team, Choir, Dance, Sunday School, and other church ministries. Pwede ka nga ring leader or elder sa inyong congregation or community. Pero hindi ibig sabihin, malinaw, malalim, at mainit ang relationship kay God.

Maaring may ibang motivation kung bakit nagpapaka religious.

Pwedeng to impress other people. Pwedeng nakasanayan na lamang ito. Pwedeng trabaho nalang kasi nila ang maging christian worker, kaya, praktikalan nalang. Marami pang pwedeng reasons.

However, eventually, lilitaw din, kung tunay at buhay ang ating pananampalataya, sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaroon ng bunga, ng maganda at matinong character, at powerful and effective anointing of the Spirit of God.

What she was saying was a rebuke to those who are active in the church, but unfortunately, have lost the real meaning of service to God.

Maganda naman dba?

But like all teachings, pag ito ay na mis interpret, ang ending, akala mo, ok lang, na hindi naman maging busy for the kingdom.

Some would even justify why they are not as active in the church as others.

And that is dangerous.

Walang masama, na maging excellent sa trabaho, business, at kung ano pa man ang profession na binigay sa atin ni Lord.

Pero kailangan, alam natin, kung papano sa profession at occupation natin sa buhay, ay mapaglilingkuran parin natin si God.

Walang masama na magkaron ng lovelife, ng hobby, ng friends. Gusto ni din naman ni Lord na tayo ay mabuhay, at mabuhay ng payapa, masagana, at pinagpapala.

At lalong walang masama, at mainam panga, na dapat, maging family oriented ang lahat ng christians. We should be loving parents and obedient children. We should apply God’s word in building a happy, strong, and united family.

Pero.

Pero.

Pero.

Darating ang araw na kailangang ma realize natin, na pagtayo ay naging christian, we are meant to live a life of faith. A life that trusts in God. A life that follows God’s will and direction. A life that serves the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Sometimes, yung gusto natin, hindi pala yun ang gusto ni Lord.

Sometimes, God wants us to give up something or someone.

Sometimes, God wants us to sacrifice our personal dreams, our financial security, our comfort zones, whatever they may be.

But oftentimes, when God comes in a persons life, when a person truly encounters God in a true and powerful way, halos bumabaliktad ang kanyang buhay. Nababago. Nashe shake. Nara rattle. Natra transform.

Some even experience radical transformation and turn around.

It happens.

Nangyayari parin, at dapat nating hangarin, ang isang true, personal, and powerful encounter with God.

Sometimes, sa pamamagitan ng message ng isang speaker or preacher, during a Sunday Worship Service, a Youth Camp, a Couples Retreat, or Revival Seminar.

Minsan, walang message, sa pamamagitan lamang ng Praise and Worship, pero nangungusap ang Panginoon sa iyo.

And there are times, people encounter God afresh, even through trial and sufferings.

God speaks in many ways.

Whatever may catch our attention.

At pag nangusap na si Lord, dapat sumunod tayo agad. Pag nakaranas ka ng apoy ng Espiritu ng Diyos, dapat, maglingkod agad.

Yung iba kasi, antay ng antay for the right timing. Yung iba, ang tagal ng training. By the time na dapat kanang maglingkod sa Diyos, e, wala ka ng apoy. Nasimot na ng mga masasalimuot na pangyayari sa buhay ng isang tao.

Ang diyablo kasi, alam na pag on fire tayo sa faith, gusto nating maglingkod. Kaya, gagawa at gagawa siya ng paraan, para mahinto at mapigilan tayo sa pagserve sa ministry, sa kingdom of God.

Gagamitin niya ang mga simple at normal na bagay sa buhay. Tulad ng lovelife, trabaho, mga kaibigan, at minsan, kahit sariling pamilya.

Maraming mga Youth at Young Adults, gustong gustong mag full-time sa ministry, o dinaman kaya, kahit hindi full-time, mag support financially sa mga churches and organizations. Pero kadalasan, ano pumipigil sa kanila? Sino ang nagdi-discourage sa kanila? You will be surprised, mga parents nila. Kahit pa kamo christian ang mga ito.

Yung mga Youth na active dati, halos hindi mo na makita sa church pag nagka asawa at nagka anak.

Ang dahilan?

Nagka asawa at nagka anak.

Hindi bat kahit nagka asawa at nagka anak, ay nakakapagtrabaho pa din? Nakakapag kita parin tayo sa mga high school at college classmates? Hindi bat hawak padin natin ang ating oras?

Bakit kailangan ang magsuffer, yung ministry natin for the Lord, in the church, yung calling natin to serve God, dahil nagkatrabaho, pamilya, at kung ano ano pang dahilan?

Totoo, dapat ayusin natin ang ating buhay. Kumita tayo ng pera. Tumulong sa pamilya.

Pero.

Pero.

Pero.

Pag christian kana, may calling ka to serve God.

Maybe as a Pastor, or maybe as a Bible Study leader.

Maybe as a Worship Leader, or maybe as a choir member.

Hindi pwedeng wala.

At dapat gawan natin ng paraan, na kahit gaano tayo kabusy, e, naglilingkod parin tayo sa kingdom of God. Kahit saan kaman dalhin ng iyong mga paa. Kahit san kaman ngayon nakatira o nagtatrabaho. Sa Pilipinas man, o sa ibang bansa.

I will not apologize to say, na mas mabuti ng busy tayo for the kingdom of God, kesa naman sa hindi.

Mas mabuti na busy tayo sa ministry, kesa naman na busy tayo sa kalokohan.

Mas mabuti na naglilingkod tayo sa Panginoon, kesa naman na pinaglilingkuran natin ang diyablo at sanlibutan.

Yung iba, alam na nila, na paghuminto sila sa pagiging busy sa kingdom of God, e baka bumalik sila sa dati. Tulad ng bumalik sa bisyo, sa panchi chiks, at sa kung ano ano pang kasalanan. Kaya wise move na para sa kanila, na mag ubos ng oras serving God.

The truth is, maraming busy for the kingdom, kaya sila ganon ka committed at passionate, kasi in love sila kay God. They have decided to follow Jesus. Sabi nga ng kanta, “no turning back, no turning back”.

Maraming busy for the kingdom, in love na in love kay God, kaya they are not holding back. They are giving their everything to the LOrd. Their time, talent and even their very treasures. Wag natin sila agad i judge. Wag nating isipan sila ng masama. Hindi rin madaling maglingkod sa Panginoon at sa kanyang mga sinasakupan. It is not easy to give everything for the cause of Jesus Christ.

Kaya.

As much as importanteng we should grow spiritually, that we have a real and intimate relationship with the King of kings, dapat din, ang bunga nito, ang ating passionate commitment to serve God and his church.

For us to be busy for the kingdom, and not to be busy for the things of this world.

For some people, the time has come.

This is the time for you to follow Him, to make him number one, to make him your priority in all things.

Na kung dati, lagi nalang siya ang huli sa ating priorities.

Na kung dati, laging tira tirang oras at panahon lamang ang binibigay natin para sa kanya at sakanyang kaharian.

Baka panahon na, na this time around, sya naman ang ating unahin.

Baka naman pwedeng, this time around, sya naman ang ating piliin.

Let God speak to your heart.

Let the Spirit touch your mind.

And receive today God’s word that transforms and changes us for his glory.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, please show me the way. The right path to life. Forgive me for my disobedience. Rescue me from deception. Enable me to live a live that truly pleases God. Renew my mind Lord Jesus. Take away any wicked and evil thought. Fill me with your Spirit. Fill me with your passion. Allow me to respond today with faith. Desiring to put you above all things. In Jesus name, amen.

RISE UP
Inspirational Readings for Personal Growth

by

ROMAN GUEVARA

“Busy for the Kingdom”

Scripture: When

Matthew 6:33-34³³But 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.

I remember when i was still a high school student, naging guest namin sa aming Prayer Meeting si Helen Vela.

Para sa mga hindi umabot sa kasikatan ni Helen Vela, nakilala ito, bilang isa sa pinaka kilalang personalidad sa radyo at telebisyon noong late 70’s, most of the 80’s, and until the early 90’s.

Her show “Lovingly Yours, Helen” was a very popular TV production. That when she became a Born Again Christian, nakatulong siya ng malaki, until her death in 1992, upang marami sa mga taga-showbiz, ang makakilala din kay Lord.

I will never forget what she said during our Prayer Meeting.

She said, “nakakalungkot, na maraming tao, maraming christians, even christian leaders, they are too busy for the kingdom, but no time for the king”.

I remember, marami sa amin ang nahamon ng kanyang message, at nabless sa kanyang testimony.

At bakit naman hindi?

Totoo naman, marami naman talaga na busy for the kingdom, but doesnt give quality time for the king of the kingdom, na walang iba kundi si God.

What Helen Vela was saying, is this. Pwedeng laman kalagi ng simbahan. Hindi ka umaabsent sa Prayer Meeting, Bible Study, Cell Group, Worship Service. Pwedeng active na active ka sa Worship team, Choir, Dance, Sunday School, and other church ministries. Pwede ka nga ring leader or elder sa inyong congregation or community. Pero hindi ibig sabihin, malinaw, malalim, at mainit ang relationship kay God.

Maaring may ibang motivation kung bakit nagpapaka religious.

Pwedeng to impress other people. Pwedeng nakasanayan na lamang ito. Pwedeng trabaho nalang kasi nila ang maging christian worker, kaya, praktikalan nalang. Marami pang pwedeng reasons.

However, eventually, lilitaw din, kung tunay at buhay ang ating pananampalataya, sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaroon ng bunga, ng maganda at matinong character, at powerful and effective anointing of the Spirit of God.

What she was saying was a rebuke to those who are active in the church, but unfortunately, have lost the real meaning of service to God.

Maganda naman dba?

But like all teachings, pag ito ay na mis interpret, ang ending, akala mo, ok lang, na hindi naman maging busy for the kingdom.

Some would even justify why they are not as active in the church as others.

And that is dangerous.

Walang masama, na maging excellent sa trabaho, business, at kung ano pa man ang profession na binigay sa atin ni Lord.

Pero kailangan, alam natin, kung papano sa profession at occupation natin sa buhay, ay mapaglilingkuran parin natin si God.

Walang masama na magkaron ng lovelife, ng hobby, ng friends. Gusto ni din naman ni Lord na tayo ay mabuhay, at mabuhay ng payapa, masagana, at pinagpapala.

At lalong walang masama, at mainam panga, na dapat, maging family oriented ang lahat ng christians. We should be loving parents and obedient children. We should apply God’s word in building a happy, strong, and united family.

Pero.

Pero.

Pero.

Darating ang araw na kailangang ma realize natin, na pagtayo ay naging christian, we are meant to live a life of faith. A life that trusts in God. A life that follows God’s will and direction. A life that serves the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Sometimes, yung gusto natin, hindi pala yun ang gusto ni Lord.

Sometimes, God wants us to give up something or someone.

Sometimes, God wants us to sacrifice our personal dreams, our financial security, our comfort zones, whatever they may be.

But oftentimes, when God comes in a persons life, when a person truly encounters God in a true and powerful way, halos bumabaliktad ang kanyang buhay. Nababago. Nashe shake. Nara rattle. Natra transform.

Some even experience radical transformation and turn around.

It happens.

Nangyayari parin, at dapat nating hangarin, ang isang true, personal, and powerful encounter with God.

Sometimes, sa pamamagitan ng message ng isang speaker or preacher, during a Sunday Worship Service, a Youth Camp, a Couples Retreat, or Revival Seminar.

Minsan, walang message, sa pamamagitan lamang ng Praise and Worship, pero nangungusap ang Panginoon sa iyo.

And there are times, people encounter God afresh, even through trial and sufferings.

God speaks in many ways.

Whatever may catch our attention.

At pag nangusap na si Lord, dapat sumunod tayo agad. Pag nakaranas ka ng apoy ng Espiritu ng Diyos, dapat, maglingkod agad.

Yung iba kasi, antay ng antay for the right timing. Yung iba, ang tagal ng training. By the time na dapat kanang maglingkod sa Diyos, e, wala ka ng apoy. Nasimot na ng mga masasalimuot na pangyayari sa buhay ng isang tao.

Ang diyablo kasi, alam na pag on fire tayo sa faith, gusto nating maglingkod. Kaya, gagawa at gagawa siya ng paraan, para mahinto at mapigilan tayo sa pagserve sa ministry, sa kingdom of God.

Gagamitin niya ang mga simple at normal na bagay sa buhay. Tulad ng lovelife, trabaho, mga kaibigan, at minsan, kahit sariling pamilya.

Maraming mga Youth at Young Adults, gustong gustong mag full-time sa ministry, o dinaman kaya, kahit hindi full-time, mag support financially sa mga churches and organizations. Pero kadalasan, ano pumipigil sa kanila? Sino ang nagdi-discourage sa kanila? You will be surprised, mga parents nila. Kahit pa kamo christian ang mga ito.

Yung mga Youth na active dati, halos hindi mo na makita sa church pag nagka asawa at nagka anak.

Ang dahilan?

Nagka asawa at nagka anak.

Hindi bat kahit nagka asawa at nagka anak, ay nakakapagtrabaho pa din? Nakakapag kita parin tayo sa mga high school at college classmates? Hindi bat hawak padin natin ang ating oras?

Bakit kailangan ang magsuffer, yung ministry natin for the Lord, in the church, yung calling natin to serve God, dahil nagkatrabaho, pamilya, at kung ano ano pang dahilan?

Totoo, dapat ayusin natin ang ating buhay. Kumita tayo ng pera. Tumulong sa pamilya.

Pero.

Pero.

Pero.

Pag christian kana, may calling ka to serve God.

Maybe as a Pastor, or maybe as a Bible Study leader.

Maybe as a Worship Leader, or maybe as a choir member.

Hindi pwedeng wala.

At dapat gawan natin ng paraan, na kahit gaano tayo kabusy, e, naglilingkod parin tayo sa kingdom of God. Kahit saan kaman dalhin ng iyong mga paa. Kahit san kaman ngayon nakatira o nagtatrabaho. Sa Pilipinas man, o sa ibang bansa.

I will not apologize to say, na mas mabuti ng busy tayo for the kingdom of God, kesa naman sa hindi.

Mas mabuti na busy tayo sa ministry, kesa naman na busy tayo sa kalokohan.

Mas mabuti na naglilingkod tayo sa Panginoon, kesa naman na pinaglilingkuran natin ang diyablo at sanlibutan.

Yung iba, alam na nila, na paghuminto sila sa pagiging busy sa kingdom of God, e baka bumalik sila sa dati. Tulad ng bumalik sa bisyo, sa panchi chiks, at sa kung ano ano pang kasalanan. Kaya wise move na para sa kanila, na mag ubos ng oras serving God.

The truth is, maraming busy for the kingdom, kaya sila ganon ka committed at passionate, kasi in love sila kay God. They have decided to follow Jesus. Sabi nga ng kanta, “no turning back, no turning back”.

Maraming busy for the kingdom, in love na in love kay God, kaya they are not holding back. They are giving their everything to the LOrd. Their time, talent and even their very treasures. Wag natin sila agad i judge. Wag nating isipan sila ng masama. Hindi rin madaling maglingkod sa Panginoon at sa kanyang mga sinasakupan. It is not easy to give everything for the cause of Jesus Christ.

Kaya.

As much as importanteng we should grow spiritually, that we have a real and intimate relationship with the King of kings, dapat din, ang bunga nito, ang ating passionate commitment to serve God and his church.

For us to be busy for the kingdom, and not to be busy for the things of this world.

For some people, the time has come.

This is the time for you to follow Him, to make him number one, to make him your priority in all things.

Na kung dati, lagi nalang siya ang huli sa ating priorities.

Na kung dati, laging tira tirang oras at panahon lamang ang binibigay natin para sa kanya at sakanyang kaharian.

Baka panahon na, na this time around, sya naman ang ating unahin.

Baka naman pwedeng, this time around, sya naman ang ating piliin.

Let God speak to your heart.

Let the Spirit touch your mind.

And receive today God’s word that transforms and changes us for his glory.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, please show me the way. The right path to life. Forgive me for my disobedience. Rescue me from deception. Enable me to live a live that truly pleases God. Renew my mind Lord Jesus. Take away any wicked and evil thought. Fill me with your Spirit. Fill me with your passion. Allow me to respond today with faith. Desiring to put you above all things. In Jesus name, amen.

RISE UP
Inspirational Readings for Personal Growth

by

ROMAN GUEVARA

“Busy for the Kingdom”

Scripture: When

Matthew 6:33-34³³But 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.

I remember when i was still a high school student, naging guest namin sa aming Prayer Meeting si Helen Vela.

Para sa mga hindi umabot sa kasikatan ni Helen Vela, nakilala ito, bilang isa sa pinaka kilalang personalidad sa radyo at telebisyon noong late 70’s, most of the 80’s, and until the early 90’s.

Her show “Lovingly Yours, Helen” was a very popular TV production. That when she became a Born Again Christian, nakatulong siya ng malaki, until her death in 1992, upang marami sa mga taga-showbiz, ang makakilala din kay Lord.

I will never forget what she said during our Prayer Meeting.

She said, “nakakalungkot, na maraming tao, maraming christians, even christian leaders, they are too busy for the kingdom, but no time for the king”.

I remember, marami sa amin ang nahamon ng kanyang message, at nabless sa kanyang testimony.

At bakit naman hindi?

Totoo naman, marami naman talaga na busy for the kingdom, but doesnt give quality time for the king of the kingdom, na walang iba kundi si God.

What Helen Vela was saying, is this. Pwedeng laman kalagi ng simbahan. Hindi ka umaabsent sa Prayer Meeting, Bible Study, Cell Group, Worship Service. Pwedeng active na active ka sa Worship team, Choir, Dance, Sunday School, and other church ministries. Pwede ka nga ring leader or elder sa inyong congregation or community. Pero hindi ibig sabihin, malinaw, malalim, at mainit ang relationship kay God.

Maaring may ibang motivation kung bakit nagpapaka religious.

Pwedeng to impress other people. Pwedeng nakasanayan na lamang ito. Pwedeng trabaho nalang kasi nila ang maging christian worker, kaya, praktikalan nalang. Marami pang pwedeng reasons.

However, eventually, lilitaw din, kung tunay at buhay ang ating pananampalataya, sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaroon ng bunga, ng maganda at matinong character, at powerful and effective anointing of the Spirit of God.

What she was saying was a rebuke to those who are active in the church, but unfortunately, have lost the real meaning of service to God.

Maganda naman dba?

But like all teachings, pag ito ay na mis interpret, ang ending, akala mo, ok lang, na hindi naman maging busy for the kingdom.

Some would even justify why they are not as active in the church as others.

And that is dangerous.

Walang masama, na maging excellent sa trabaho, business, at kung ano pa man ang profession na binigay sa atin ni Lord.

Pero kailangan, alam natin, kung papano sa profession at occupation natin sa buhay, ay mapaglilingkuran parin natin si God.

Walang masama na magkaron ng lovelife, ng hobby, ng friends. Gusto ni din naman ni Lord na tayo ay mabuhay, at mabuhay ng payapa, masagana, at pinagpapala.

At lalong walang masama, at mainam panga, na dapat, maging family oriented ang lahat ng christians. We should be loving parents and obedient children. We should apply God’s word in building a happy, strong, and united family.

Pero.

Pero.

Pero.

Darating ang araw na kailangang ma realize natin, na pagtayo ay naging christian, we are meant to live a life of faith. A life that trusts in God. A life that follows God’s will and direction. A life that serves the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Sometimes, yung gusto natin, hindi pala yun ang gusto ni Lord.

Sometimes, God wants us to give up something or someone.

Sometimes, God wants us to sacrifice our personal dreams, our financial security, our comfort zones, whatever they may be.

But oftentimes, when God comes in a persons life, when a person truly encounters God in a true and powerful way, halos bumabaliktad ang kanyang buhay. Nababago. Nashe shake. Nara rattle. Natra transform.

Some even experience radical transformation and turn around.

It happens.

Nangyayari parin, at dapat nating hangarin, ang isang true, personal, and powerful encounter with God.

Sometimes, sa pamamagitan ng message ng isang speaker or preacher, during a Sunday Worship Service, a Youth Camp, a Couples Retreat, or Revival Seminar.

Minsan, walang message, sa pamamagitan lamang ng Praise and Worship, pero nangungusap ang Panginoon sa iyo.

And there are times, people encounter God afresh, even through trial and sufferings.

God speaks in many ways.

Whatever may catch our attention.

At pag nangusap na si Lord, dapat sumunod tayo agad. Pag nakaranas ka ng apoy ng Espiritu ng Diyos, dapat, maglingkod agad.

Yung iba kasi, antay ng antay for the right timing. Yung iba, ang tagal ng training. By the time na dapat kanang maglingkod sa Diyos, e, wala ka ng apoy. Nasimot na ng mga masasalimuot na pangyayari sa buhay ng isang tao.

Ang diyablo kasi, alam na pag on fire tayo sa faith, gusto nating maglingkod. Kaya, gagawa at gagawa siya ng paraan, para mahinto at mapigilan tayo sa pagserve sa ministry, sa kingdom of God.

Gagamitin niya ang mga simple at normal na bagay sa buhay. Tulad ng lovelife, trabaho, mga kaibigan, at minsan, kahit sariling pamilya.

Maraming mga Youth at Young Adults, gustong gustong mag full-time sa ministry, o dinaman kaya, kahit hindi full-time, mag support financially sa mga churches and organizations. Pero kadalasan, ano pumipigil sa kanila? Sino ang nagdi-discourage sa kanila? You will be surprised, mga parents nila. Kahit pa kamo christian ang mga ito.

Yung mga Youth na active dati, halos hindi mo na makita sa church pag nagka asawa at nagka anak.

Ang dahilan?

Nagka asawa at nagka anak.

Hindi bat kahit nagka asawa at nagka anak, ay nakakapagtrabaho pa din? Nakakapag kita parin tayo sa mga high school at college classmates? Hindi bat hawak padin natin ang ating oras?

Bakit kailangan ang magsuffer, yung ministry natin for the Lord, in the church, yung calling natin to serve God, dahil nagkatrabaho, pamilya, at kung ano ano pang dahilan?

Totoo, dapat ayusin natin ang ating buhay. Kumita tayo ng pera. Tumulong sa pamilya.

Pero.

Pero.

Pero.

Pag christian kana, may calling ka to serve God.

Maybe as a Pastor, or maybe as a Bible Study leader.

Maybe as a Worship Leader, or maybe as a choir member.

Hindi pwedeng wala.

At dapat gawan natin ng paraan, na kahit gaano tayo kabusy, e, naglilingkod parin tayo sa kingdom of God. Kahit saan kaman dalhin ng iyong mga paa. Kahit san kaman ngayon nakatira o nagtatrabaho. Sa Pilipinas man, o sa ibang bansa.

I will not apologize to say, na mas mabuti ng busy tayo for the kingdom of God, kesa naman sa hindi.

Mas mabuti na busy tayo sa ministry, kesa naman na busy tayo sa kalokohan.

Mas mabuti na naglilingkod tayo sa Panginoon, kesa naman na pinaglilingkuran natin ang diyablo at sanlibutan.

Yung iba, alam na nila, na paghuminto sila sa pagiging busy sa kingdom of God, e baka bumalik sila sa dati. Tulad ng bumalik sa bisyo, sa panchi chiks, at sa kung ano ano pang kasalanan. Kaya wise move na para sa kanila, na mag ubos ng oras serving God.

The truth is, maraming busy for the kingdom, kaya sila ganon ka committed at passionate, kasi in love sila kay God. They have decided to follow Jesus. Sabi nga ng kanta, “no turning back, no turning back”.

Maraming busy for the kingdom, in love na in love kay God, kaya they are not holding back. They are giving their everything to the LOrd. Their time, talent and even their very treasures. Wag natin sila agad i judge. Wag nating isipan sila ng masama. Hindi rin madaling maglingkod sa Panginoon at sa kanyang mga sinasakupan. It is not easy to give everything for the cause of Jesus Christ.

Kaya.

As much as importanteng we should grow spiritually, that we have a real and intimate relationship with the King of kings, dapat din, ang bunga nito, ang ating passionate commitment to serve God and his church.

For us to be busy for the kingdom, and not to be busy for the things of this world.

For some people, the time has come.

This is the time for you to follow Him, to make him number one, to make him your priority in all things.

Na kung dati, lagi nalang siya ang huli sa ating priorities.

Na kung dati, laging tira tirang oras at panahon lamang ang binibigay natin para sa kanya at sakanyang kaharian.

Baka panahon na, na this time around, sya naman ang ating unahin.

Baka naman pwedeng, this time around, sya naman ang ating piliin.

Let God speak to your heart.

Let the Spirit touch your mind.

And receive today God’s word that transforms and changes us for his glory.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, please show me the way. The right path to life. Forgive me for my disobedience. Rescue me from deception. Enable me to live a live that truly pleases God. Renew my mind Lord Jesus. Take away any wicked and evil thought. Fill me with your Spirit. Fill me with your passion. Allow me to respond today with faith. Desiring to put you above all things. In Jesus name, amen.

RISE UP
Inspirational Readings for Personal Growth

by

ROMAN GUEVARA

“Suffering in Silence”

Scripture:

Psalm 55:22

²² Cast your cares on the LORD
and he will sustain you;
he will never let the righteous fall.

I went to a christmas party last sunday.

I just came from a speaking engagement in the afternoon kaya pagabi na nung nakarating ako sa christmas party na ito.

And while i was making my way inside the house where it was being held, greeting the host and friends alike, e, biglang nakuha ng TV ang aking attention, nung binabalita ng breaking news na pumanaw na ang batang aktor na si Marky Cielo ng starstruck fame.

Now i am not exactly a fan. I don’t even watch TV at all. But im aware that there is such an actor by the name of Marky Cielo.

At bilang isang minister to young people, nalulungkot ako pag me mga kabataang pumapanaw agad, without fully realizing their full potential. This actor kasi was only 20 years old at the time of his death.

Another Mico Sotto. Another Rico Yan.

At sa konting na gather ko sa interviews sa ina nung Marky Cielo, sabi nung ina niya, the few days before the young actor’s death, napapansin niya na lagi itong pagod, at mukhang laging malungkot.  But knowing how secretive he was, na hindi ito mahilig magkwento ng mga dinadala, lalo nat personal problems, ay hinayaan nalang nila ito.

Unfortunately, they will never know anymore kung ano nga ang tunay na bumabagabag sa batang ito, as after only a few days, this young actor, Marky Cielo, was found dead by his mother, in his room, sa house nila sa Antipolo. No one knows how he really died.

Being secretive? Ang hindi pagkwento ng mga dinadalang bigatin at suliranin?

Can this kill?

Can you die because you carry your problems all by yourself?

Bakit ba merong mga tao na ganyan?

Yung hindi palakwento?

Masyadong malihim?

Come to think of it, hindi bat marami din tayong kilala, mga kaibigan, na imbis namang malihim, e madakdak naman?

Bakit sila hindi sila nahihirapan i announce sa buong mundo ang kanilang pagdadalamhati?

Ang kanilang kabigatan?

I remember tuloy isang youth ko dati sa isang church. Babae ito. One day, naka receive ako ng text mula sa kanya. Which is really unusual, kasi hindi naman kami textmates. Sabi niya, “kuya kamusta kana”, e at that time, ok naman ako talaga, kaya ang sabi ko i was doing just fine. And then she said, “e kuya, alam mo naba”. Sabi ko, “anung alam ko na?”. “Na buntis ako?”.  You know what just happened?  Akala niya siguro pinaguusapan siya ng kung sino sinong common friends namin regarding her condition, hindi pa kasi siya married, kaya eto, ina announce na niya to me. Kaso nga lang, hindi ko naman alam. At baka hindi ko naman kailangang malaman. Later i found out, sa ibang common friends namin, ganun din siya. Ganun din ginawa niya. Tinatanong niya kung alam na nila. And eventually tuloy, nalalaman na ng lahat.

Maybe people like them, they have their reasons why they want many people to know their problems. Maybe they really need a lot of people, or even just a few people to know how difficult their burdens are. Maybe they are hoping that if these people only knew what they were going through, e matutulungan sila ng mga ito somehow. O dinaman kaya, kahit hindi sila matulungan directly, at least yung maramdaman lang nila na merong nakakaintindi ng kanilang pinagdadaanan, na meron man lamang silang makakausap tungkol sa mabigat na problema nila, na meron man lang sanang yayakap sa kanila at tutulong pumunas ng luha sa kanilang mga mata, e, siguro yun yon. Yun ang mga dahilan why some people want others, their family and friends, to know about what’s happening with them.

At bakit nga hindi nila ito gawin? Lalo na kung pwede naman silang mag share. Lalo na kung maiintindihan sila pag sila ay nagshare. Lalo na, if there are people willing to listen to them. People who love and care for them. Who will understand. Who will not judge. Who will keep a secret a secret.

Kaso nga lang, not everyone can do this.

Yung magshare ng problems nila.

And why not?

Kasi siguro feeling nila, hindi sila pakikinggan, hindi sila maiintindihan, at kung masyadong sensitibo ang kanilang dinadala, hindi sila tatanggapin. Even by their family. Even by their so called friends.

What’s one of the greatest fears of people?

E yung dahil sa isang lihim sa buhay, isang bagay sa iyong nakaraan o kahit in your present, e, people will be shocked, surprised, bewildered. At magiiba ang tingin nila sa iyo. Mag iiba ang pakitungo nila sayo.

Tapus, worst of all. Sige na nga kahit hindi ka na pakinggan. Sige na nga, kahit hindi ka na maunawaan. Sige na at kung hindi ka talaga matatanggap. Carry muna nga na nagbago ang pagtingin sa iyo. Pero sana naman, secret nalang. Secret mo yun e. Nagtiwala ka sa kanila e, kaya nga nagsabi ka na. Kaso nga lang, siguro alam niyo na ang next?

Yes, people have a hard time keeping a secret, specially kung hindi kanila.

Kahit pa sabihin nila, na wala silang sasabihan.

Kasi, minsan, it’s too much even for the people we speak to.  Some people, hindi nila kaya dalhin ang matagal na nating dinadala. Kaya para maka gaang gaan ang pakiramdam nila, e they will eventually make kwento to others. Goodbye Secret!

Kaya tuloy, some who risked, some who tried once, and got burned, even by their own family and so-called friends, nagka phobia na. Nag decide na sila, na last na yun. Na pag me problem sila, mas mabuti nalang na wala silang sasabihan. Na sasarilinin nalang nila.

Mapa bata, teenager, young adult, married people, at kahit mga senior citizens.

Maraming secretive people everywhere.

Maraming tao ang nagsa suffer in silence everyday, everywhere, anywhere on this planet.

They can be students, professionals, accomplished businessmen, politicians, and even religious leaders.

Kaya nga siguro pumatok yung version ni Gary V. ng kantang “Warrior Is Child”. Kasi maraming tao, ganun na ganun. Sabi nung kanta,

“Lately, I’ve been winning battles left and right
But even winners can get wounded in the fight,
People say that I’m amazing, I’m strong beyond my years
But they don’t see inside of me, I’m hiding all the tears.


They don’t know that I come running home when I fall down
They don’t know who picks me up when no one is around,
I drop my sword and cry for just a while
‘Coz deep inside this armor, the warrior is a child.”

So you could be a Pastor, and no matter how difficult your problem is, e, you can’t share it, lalo na sa mga taong naglu look up to you for strength.

You could be a kuya, an ate, a mother or father, and you just have to be strong lagi, for the sake of your loved ones, kahit the truth is, gustong gusto mo ng bumigay.

Me sakit kang malubha, pero, you would rather keep it to yourself, kesa magworry ang mga tao sa buhay mo.

Financial problems na sobrang overwhelming. Utang left and right. Who wants anyone to know about that?

Or you are a simple person in love with someone, but you can’t tell anyone about it. The person doesn’t know na me crush ka sa kanya, in love ka sa kanya.

You’ve broken up with your lover, o kung hindi naman e, your relationship is not going very well, you have complicated problems, too complicated for your simple thinking friends.

The question will always be, will you tell anyone?

Who can you trust? Who do you tell?

Maraming tao in the world are suffering in silence.

Pero siguro, hindi man eto sapat, pero baka din makatulong, na malaman ng mga nagsa suffer in silence, na hindi sila nagiisa.

That they are not alone in this world.

That there are others like them.

Others who suffer. Who suffer in silence.

Sana pagdating ng araw, meron din tayong masasabihan.

Sana pagdating ng araw, makatagpo din tayo ng mga taong, pwede natin mapagkatiwalaan.

Pero just in case na wala pa, i am reminded, we are reminded, that we can give all our burdens to the Lord.

Pwedeng palakad lakad ka magisa all over the mall, and sometimes, pag ang bigat talaga ng problem, palakad lakad ka all over the city, while you are crying, while you are grieving, why don’t you just talk to the Lord, and cry out to him. Give him all your cares. Let him hear what no one else knows. Let him hear your voice cry out. Magsumbong ka sa kanya. Magsabi tayo sa kanya.

Minsan, parang nakakapraning, nakakabaliw, ang mga dinadala nating kabigatan.

Tapus, wala kapang masasabihin? Pano ka ba namang hindi mabubuwang.

Mamaya kung ano ano na ang nasasabi mo. Nagagawa mo. Naiisip mo. Na balang araw you will regret because it was bad for you pala.

Ako, paggalit na galit, tapus wala akong masabihan, bad habit ko yung shopping ng shopping. Gastos ng gastos. Kahit wala na ata akong pera. Very bad. Very foolish.

Anu pa ang mga kakaiba, at nare regret nating ginagawa, all because, we are suffering in silence?

We have the right to be angry. You have a right to be sad.

Wag mong sarilinin. Wag mong hayaan na masira ka ng iyong mga problema.

Mahirap kung sa mahirap.

Problems, pressures, and the pain that go with them, they come into our lives. Sometimes, nakakagulat how they are just here na. Parang yesterday lang, buo pa mundo mo, pero now, it’s all gone. Your world has fallen apart.

Some people are just dumbfounded. Litong lito, panu biglang nangyari ang nangyari.

And you ask yourself, what did you do wrong?

Did you deserve everything wrong that’s happening to you right now?

It hurts.

It’s painful.

At ang buhay, laging may dalawang mukha.

Habang ikaw ay lungkot na lungkot, ang iba naman, galak na galak.

Sa bawat pinapanganak sa isang ospital, in that same building, meron ding namamatay.

Life is not always easy.

For some people, just when they thought, everything was ok na, suddenly, the truth will be revealed, reality will hit them, and you just can’t do anything about them, right now.

So what can we do?

We who suffer in silence.

What can you do?

This may be expected, but, what else can we do? What should we always do, pag sobrang bigat, sobrang sakit, sobrang hirap dalhin ng buhay?

We run to the Lord.

We run to his arms.

Talk to him.

Magsumbong tayo sa kanya.

Let him love you.

Others may not.

You may feel na parang walang nagmamahal sayo.

Pero, subukan mo. Sa mga oras ng kabigatan, kalungkutan, kahirapan.

Subukan mo uli.

Just let Him love you.

PRAYER

Lord help me. I have no one to tell. You are the only one i truly trust. Help me Lord to forgive. Help me Lord to heal. Help me Lord to understand. Do not allow me to do anymore foolish things. Hold me by your hand. Rescue me from myself. Be my defender Lord. Be my strength. Be my one true friend. I cry it all to you. I cry them all to you. Please embrace me. Please embrace me. I offer to you my tears. I give you my heart. Help me Lord. Help me Lord. Please be my guide. I live, i will always live, for you.

RISE UP
Inspirational Readings for Personal Growth

“People Leaving”

Scripture:

Deuteronomy 31:6c

⁶he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

I got a text from my cousin Abi yesterday morning.

She asked if i had any schedule the whole day.

I initially said none, but only because i had forgotten an appointment i have at 5pm sa Alabang.

I asked why, ano meron, what’s it about.

She texted back and said  “man, tuloy na kami bukas, alis na kami papuntang Vietnam, magkita na tayo before lunch.”

That was it. My closest cousin, married to one of my best friends, and their (2) beautiful kids, were off to Vietnam, to live there for a year, or possibly so much more.

And, it’s official, it’s the end of an era.

Let me give you a background about Abi.

Abi is my cousin. And because we are almost of the same age, we quickly became the closest among cousins.

We went to the same high school, the Philippine Pasay Chung Hua Academy, a chinese school in the Libertad, Pasay area. Later in our youth, pareho kaming naging active sa church at sa mga ministries nito. Eventually, nakabuo kami ng mga barkada sa church namin non, at dun umikot ang buhay namin, at least before any of us graduated from college.

One of my best friends in our church at that time was Noel.

I don’t know what came on to me, but one day, i just felt the urge na ireto si Noel ke Abi. Pareho silang single at that time, at somehow, feeling ko, bagay sila sa isat-isa. So i began my mission to make them fall in love.

Now i was very young myself at that time. Kaya yun ang excuse ko sa mga very weird things i did just to get them together. Kasi it wasn’t really easy.

First of all, hindi naman nila type ang isat-isa nung time na nagdecide akong ireto silang dalawa. It’s not that they didnt like each other. They just didnt have feelings or any form of attraction as i could recall. Second, bawal pa sa kanila na magboyfriend nung mga panahon na iyon. Pero siyempre naman, alam naman natin ang kabataan, noon, ngayon at magpakailanman. Walang bawal bawal.

I said “abi, kayo nalang kaya ni Noel ang magboyfriend? Tutal mukhang bagay naman kayo.”

And she just kept on saying “bakit ba si Noel?”

At kinulit ko siya ng kinulit. I remembered laying my hands on her heart, at sabi ko sa kanya “mai-in-love ka ke Noel, in Jesus name!”

I know it’s freaky, and to some baka heresy pa nga. But i was young and makulit. I had my weird moments. Im guilty as charged.

But you know what?

It worked.

Maraming nangyari through the years. Graduate nakami lahat ng college. Naging sila. Nag-ipon. Nagpakasal. Nagkaanak. And throughout that time, sa dami ng mga nangyari, sa buhay nila, at sa buhay ko narin, we stayed very good friends. We remained the closest among relatives.

I have a place of my own, and so did they. Pero yung mga parents namin, yung nanay niya, at yung nanay ko, magkapit bahay lang. Yung nanay niya, me grocery sa bahay, ang nanay ko naman, me mga paupahan. Kaya everytime i went to my mother’s house to visit my family, ayun si Abi, helping naman her nanay with the grocery business. Kaya even if ang dami ng nangyari sa buhay niya at sa buhay ko, marami na kaming ibang friends, still, we made it a point na mag update sa isat-isa, magkwentuhan, magtawanan, like the way we were, like i dont think id ever laugh with other people.

Abi and her husband Noel, are just my closest best friends in the whole wide world.

Now Noel always had good jobs in the Philippines. The truth is, nung youth pa kami, you would never predict that he would be as responsible and successful as he turned out to be. Not that he wasnt any good in school or that he was notorious in his younger days. Really, its not it. Ano lang kasi, masyado kaming bata pa siguro non, kaya, hindi mo masyado pinagiisip ang kahahantungan ng mga friends mo.

Sabi ko nga sa kanya the night before they left, “Noel, im very proud of you, ang galing ng nangyari sa buhay mo, and obviously, God’s favor is on you, every step of the way.”

At kung tutuusin, hindi naman sila interesado na magtrabaho at mabuhay sa ibang bansa, kasi, maayus naman sila dito. Noel always had good jobs here in the Philippines. Pero i remember telling them myself, sabi ko sa kanila one time “Abi, feeling ko, magma-migrate kayo ni Noel sa ibang bansa, i don’t know when, i don’t know where, pero feeling ko bagay kayo dun.”  Actually, parang ganyang ganyan yung sinabi ko ke Abi, nung una ko siyang rineto ke Noel!

And i know it’s not just Vietnam. I know they will go to many other countries pa. Yun nga lang, eto na ang umpisa. Eto na ang katotohanan. They are leaving.

Anyways, i got Abi’s text. Magkita na daw kami. They promised kasi to meet with me first before they left for abroad. Kaso marami silang naging last minute stuff to do, tapus ako din, me appointment pala ako sa Alabang ng 5pm. Kaya yung lunch date namin, e, umabot na ng gabi.

Miscommunication led me to 19east bar, sa service road Sucat. Malapit lang sa amin yun. Me magandang section kasi sila dun na overlooking Posadas village and Laguna De Bae. Masarap kako magkwentuhan doon. Kaso nga lang, nagtext ulit ang Abi, at sa iba na lang daw. I said sige.

Kaso, you know what?

Hindi ako agad umalis sa upuan ko.

I chose the best spot kasi sa 19east. Tapus, ang sarap pa ng breeze ng hangin. The view was breathtaking. Nagpakasenti lang muna ako saglit. Siguro mga 5 minutes din yun. And thinking about Abi and Noel, going to another country, be it just a plane ride away, still, made me feel a little bit sad. And i began to remember not just them, but many of our close friends na wala na rin dito. O nandito man sa Pilipinas, pero, wala na sa buhay ko. And i remembered it all.

Ganyan ata talaga ang buhay.

Yes, people come in, and people go out. They come and go. They always do.

And we move on with our lives.

Thank God for modern means of communication. Email, webcam, roaming, and many others. Di hamak na mas madali ng magcommunicate sa mga friends and relatives natin na nasa ibang bansa na, compared noon, na centuries ang bibilangin bago makarating ang mga sulat na pahirapan pa nating gawin noong araw.

And i’ll be visiting them in Vietnam. Noel said i have a room there na. They can’t wait to have me there too.

Life is about many things. And one of them, is to have friends.

But no matter how close we are to each other, still, life happens. People come in. People go out. Some with a graceful exit. While others, medyo dramatic at sadly sometimes, painful exits. Still, we cherish the times that we were together. And if we desire this friendship to continue even if malayo na tayo sa isat-isa, we will do everything we can to keep our bond strong, and we will hope to see each other again. We, visiting them. Them, visiting us.

Do you have friends who are no longer around?

Do you miss them?

Do miss the moments that you were together?

Do you miss your friends?

Reconnect with them. Find them somehow. Write them. Visit them.

But remember this, even if marami ng nawala sa mga friends mo, or mahal sa buhay, always, and always remember this.

There is one, who will never leave us.

PRAYER

Thank you Lord for this wonderful day. Thank you for your blessings. Even the blessing of friendship. Thank you for the people you have brought to my life. Help me Lord to keep good friendships. To sustain healthy relationships. Enable me to become a good friend myself. Teach me even to forgive people in my past, who have hurt me somehow. Let me move on with life and allow me to see the new and beautiful things that you have for me today and the rest of my life. Thank you because i know, you are the one. The one who will never leave. I pray all of these things today, in Jesus name, amen.

RISE UP
Inspirational Readings for Personal Growth

by

ROMAN GUEVARA

“Christian Celebrities, Celebrity Christians”

Scripture:

Matthew 22:21b
Then he said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

We have a fascination for celebrities.

In almost every culture, country, community, field, profession, and segment of any  society, there exist an elite. The few, the beautiful, the famous, the powerful of us all.

We are fascinated by them. We admire them. And to some extent, we want to be “them”.

We watch them on TV. We go to their movies. We buy magazines that feature them.  And if they sing, we get their albums. If they write, we grab a copy of their books.

And sometimes, they get us to buy other stuff. Clothes, bags, mineral water, all kinds of pills, hamburger, cellphones, and yes, even cars. It doesnt really matter if we want or need them, we just buy them, because, our favourite celebs have endorsed them. And we do this gladly, with a cheerful heart, because they are our favourites. They are, our celebrity. And we are their fans.

Yes, we live in a world that glorifies, and magnifies, celebs.

But what happens when celebrities become christian?

What happens to the celebrity now that he is a christian?

What happens to the christian, who is fascinated with the celebrity, who is now a christian?

This might sound to simple, but celebs, yung mga artista, singer, musician, dancer, models, basketball players, businessmen, and even politicians, tulad din sila ng marami sa atin nung naging christian.

Ang ilan sa kanila may mabigat na problema sa buhay, and at that moment, God rescued them. Brought them someone, a christian, to pray for them, counsel them, do them bible study, and later they went to the nearest christian church.

While others may not have a major crisis in life happening, but friends of theirs, who are now christians, have been patiently sharing to them about Christ and the joys of being a christian, secretly praying that this celebrity friend would join them in one bible study or worship service. And one day, pinagbigyan nung celebrity. Umatend once. Nagustuhan naman kahit paano. Bumalik balik. And eventually, hindi na umalis. Naging christian na din.

That is, kung hahayaan sila ng mga non-celebrity attendees nung church na napuntahan nila, na magworship at mag grow sa kanilang faith, na…………… walang umaabala.

I remember a story about the late Charito Solis, the actress.  Nung naging christian raw ito, madalas naaanyayahan sa mga christian events. The story goes like this, minsan, habang umaatend siya ng isang christian event, she was seated and was praying very intensely. Until, may mga “fans”, mga christians din, attending the same christian event, tinapik ang Charito Solis, at humihingi ng autograph. Never mind if she was praying. Her christian fans needed an autograph!

Wala naman sigurong masama na humingi ng autograph sa mga paborito nating celebrity. Lalo na pag naging christian na sila. Marahil, sa ilan sa atin, nag increase pa nga ang ating paghanga, kasi, nakakilala na sila sa Panginoon, at binubuhos pa nila ang kanilang buhay at kasikatan sa paglilingkod ke God.

Kaso nga lang, ilagay naman natin sa lugar, at hanapin natin ang magandang timing para sila ay hingan ng autograph o dinaman kaya ng picture.

Halimbawa worship service, praise and worship, nakikinig sila ng message, umaatend ng christian conference, gathering or event. Let’s leave them alone. Let’s hold our horses and our screams. Im sure many of them, just want to worship God and attend the event like all of us.

At depende kung gano na sila katagal sa limelight, at kung gano sila kasikat at that moment na nagabot kayo, kung papano nila hina handle ang crowd na nakapalibot sa kanila.

Siyempre kung matagal na sa limelight, sanay na sanay na yan sa ating nagkakagulo sa kanila. They know how to enter and exit. Even worship services and christian events.

Yung popularity naman, siyempre, meron ngayun, bukas wala na. Malakas dati, sikat ngayon, and then darating ang time, alaala na lang.

How do we treat them? How do we deal with them? What’s the right behavior when we are near them? around them? or even when we are introduced to them?

And how about when we are introducing them? Ano ba ang tamang introduction sa kanila?

Me ilan din naman akong celebrity encounters.

Tulad ng mga youth ko dati o family friends sa church na ngayon ay celebrity na. Tulad ni Sam Concepcion, teen actor/singer. Anak ng mga co-workers ko dati sa isang christian organization. I saw him grew up in the church. And now, his a big star. Si Joshua Desiderio ng Freestyle Band. For many years, he played for me pag me worship concerts ako at youth conferences. Their band revived the song “Half Crazy” at nakilala siya sa pagkanta nito. Another youth ko dati, Frank Garcia, model/actor. Lubos na nakilala ng publiko dahil sa grupong Powerboys. Later nagartista at madalas na model sa mga commercials.

My brother is a good friend of ate Dulce, one of the best singers this country has ever produced. Pinakilala niya ako dito, at madalas namin itong makasama sa mga worship events for the Body of Christ.

Later nakilala ko si Brylle Mondejar, actor/singer, na nakilala dahil sa That’s Entertainment at mga pelikula sa Regal Films. He was invited to attend once to one of my events, and since then, he has become one of my closest friends. He introduced me to some of his celebrity friends, like Jigo Garcia, Jefferey Santos and Nino Mulach.

Name dropping? Hindi naman. Ang konti nga niyan kumpara sa ibang churches and ministries, na marami talagang umaatend na celebrity.

I once visited this well-known church here in Metro Manila, and just two seats away from me was Piolo Pascual, the multi-media celebrity. At sa likod ko naman, also on that same day was Assunta de Rossi the actress. I visited their service in another branch, and actress Claudine Baretto and her husband, the actor Raymart Santiago, was seating in front. Jumping all around during the worship, and obviously nag-eenjoy sila sa pagsamba ke Lord. Hindi ko na mababanggit sa devotional na ito ang ibat-iba pang celebrities na nakita ko sa church na iyon that day, kasi ang dami nila dun talaga.

And this is the christian world now.

Marami ng celebrities na nagiging christian.  Mga artista, singers, musicians, models, basketball players, businessmen, and even politicians.

Glory to God. Nawa dumami pa sila. Nawa marami pa sa kanila ang makakilala ke Lord.

Pero, pag worship service at christian events, hayaan lang natin sila. Let them worship God. Wag natin silang gambalain. And more importantly, wag natin sila pagkaguluhan pag pare pareho naman tayong nagwo-worship ke Lord.

Once i was invited to lead worship with my band RISE UP, sa isang malaking christian gathering sa Quezon City.  It was a (7) hour worship event. Habang papasok ako sa amphitheater, biglang nagkagulo ang mga tao. Sabi ko sa mga kasama ko “anong nangyayari?”. Ilang saglit lamang at me nagtilian na. Me artista pala. Kumanta saglit sa gawain, at tapos paalis na. Nalaman ng crowd, at kahit me nagpapakanta pa ng worship, e, nagalisan ang kalahati ng nagwo-worship, at hinabol ang christian celebrity sa paglabas nito sa event.  “Our God is an Awesome God” pa naman ang kinakanta!

We should be thankful to God at maraming christian celebrities ngayon.

At dapat natin silang tulungan sa paglago sa kanilang pananampalataya.

We should also recognize their achievements in the field that made them famous.

Sabi nga “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s”. Wag tayong magpanggap na wala sila in our midst. Natural lang siguro na matuwa tayo pag biglang nakita natin in the flesh ang ating mga napapanood sa TV at pelikula. May mga achievements sila kaya sila naging celebrity. Hindi natin dapat ito dedmahin para lang magmukhang hindi natin sila itinataas higit ke God. They deserve our recognition and respect.

Ilagay lang sa lugar.

At wag natin laging isipan ng paraan kung papaano sila “gagamitin”.

Surely its a blessing that they could lend their fame to our cause. Na makapag testimony sila o dinaman kaya makapagbigay ng special numbers. At kung malaki ang kita nila ngayon, tunay na makakatulong ang kanilang tithes and offerings for funding of church ministries. Tulad ng lahat sa atin, in order for them to truly grow in faith, they need to discover their calling and serve God and his church.

However, wag nating gawing priority na “magamit” sila.

We should help them grow. We should pray for them. They are now, our brothers and sisters in Christ.

And let’s all remember, “give to God, what is for God”.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, thank you for today. Thank you for your words that continue to inspire me to live my life for the glory of God. Thank you that many celebrities are coming to Jesus Christ. May there be more. Anoint and use churches, ministries, and Pastors to do this unique and challenging work. And help these celebrities Lord to grow in their faith and service to God. Use me Lord as well, in praying for them, and for bringing more people to the Lord, irregardless if they are a celebrity or not. Bless us Lord today, myself, my family, my friends, and my loved ones, with your guidance, wisdom, favor, and protection. I pray all these things in Jesus name, amen.

ROMAN GUEVARA
Daily Devotional Reading

“Spiritual Laziness”

Scripture:

Luke 22:39-46
³⁹Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. ⁴⁰On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” ⁴¹He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, ⁴²“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” ⁴³An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. ⁴⁴And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.^[a]

⁴⁵When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. ⁴⁶“Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

What is spiritual laziness?

Eto yung katamaran para sa mga bagay at gawain, na may kinalaman sa ating pananampalataya.

Halimbawa, katamaran sa pagdevotion of Quiet Time.

Many christians are already aware of its importance in our walk with God. Na mahalaga na before you do anything else in the day, you start it muna with spending some moments with God, reading his word, praying, singing or llistening to praise and worship, or even just being quiet in his presence, meditating.

But there are days na isa ito sa una nating kinatatamaran. Gusto pa nating matulog ng mahabahaba. O dinaman kaya nauna na ang pagligo, pag ayus ng sarili at ng iba pang gawain, pagkain ng almusal, hanggang sa mamaya, kailangan kanang umalis. Kailangan kanang pumasok sa iskwela o trabaho.

Wala ng devotion. Wala ng quiet time.

San pa nakikita ang spiritual laziness?

Siyempre sa pag attend ng mga gawain sa church. Lalo na ang Sunday Worship.

Hanggang ngayun, merong mga christians na parang ang bigat bigat ng paa pag linggo. Pag sinabi mong oras na para magsimba, e, pahirapan ang paggising, humihingi na naman ng (5) more minutes. Ang bagal magbihis. Ang tagal magalmusal. Bakit? Sunday Worship kasi. Hindi excited. Walang gana. Kinatatamaran.

Kaya tuloy asahan muna, na katatamaran din niyan ang tithes and offering. Malamang pag offering part na ng program sa Sunday Worship, e tatayo muna yan, at biglang pupunta sa CR. Pansinin mu minsan yan. Bakit ba pag offering time na sa mga churches, e, maraming naiihi?

But spiritual laziness can happen to everyone. Even committed disciples of Christ.

Hindi bat sa kwento natin ngayon mula sa Bibliya, eto si Jesus, nananalangin ng mataimtim, malapit ng arestuhin ng mga taong maghahatol sa kanya at magku-crucify, pero yung mga disciples niya, his most trusted, his most loyal, and apparently, his most committed, were all asleep during his prayer time?

Mga committed disciples na yan ha? Siguro ang equivalent natin ngayon mga may ministry sa church, mga volunteers or full time sa ministry. Tulad ng ushers, bible study teachers, prayer intercessors, singers, musicians, dancers, kitchen people, administrative staff, and yes, even Pastors.

Lahat sila. Lahat tayo. Puwedeng tamaan ng katamaran.

Halimbawa, tinatamad pumunta sa church office kung full time worker na sa church. Katamaran sa pag bisita sa mga miyembro na nangangailangan ng bisita, tulad ng may sakit at nasa hospital. Katamaran sa pag ayus ng mga gamit ng simbahan. Pati na yung simpleng pag patay ng ilaw at tubig kung hindi naman ginagamit. Hindi lang ito katamaran, kundi kawalan ng malasakit sa simbahan, sa ministry, at siyempre sa Lord.

Bakit ka pa nag full time sa ministry kung tatamad tamad kalang sa gawaing simbahan?

Sa gawain ng Panginoon?

Ano yan? Parang trabaho nalang? Cannot be kapatid. Cannot be.

Ngunti kahit hindi full time sa ministry, lumalabas ang ating katamaran, at nakikita ito pag hindi na tayo naghahanda ng nararapat pag meron tayong assignment sa ministry.

Tulad ng mga worship team members, mga singers at musicians. Alam mong tinatamad na pag hindi inaaral in advance at ng mabuti ang mga kanta para sa darating na linggo. Late na nga dumating sa rehearsal, e dun pa ginagawa ang pakikinig at pag aaral ng mga bagong kanta. Hindi tuloy nagagawa ng tama, hindi name-memorize, at siyempre, humahaba needlessly ang practice ng buong worship team. Asahan mo na kinabukasan, hindi parin magiging maayus at swabe ang actual worship service.

Kasi nga?

Tinatamad.

Pati na mga bible study teacher or kahit preacher ng sunday worship. Alam mo tinatamad ka, pag hindi ka na gumagawa ng bagong outline for your message. Humuhugot kanalang ng mga naipon mong lumang outline, babaguhin konti ang title, pero in essence, yun parin. The truth is, wala namang masama. Kaso nga lang, pag nagiging madalas na, bukod sa hindi kana nakagagawa ng mga bagong outline, e, obviously, hindi kana naggo-grow. Kadikit na niyan ang katamaran sa pagbabasa ng mga christian books, at marahil, pati katamaran nadin sa pagbabasa ng Bible itself.

And that is the time na medyo dangerous na.

Yan na ang masama.

At siyempre, makakahalata na rin siguro ang iyong mga churchmates, dahil imposible namang hindi nila mapansin, na paulit ulit  kana lang pag bible study, o dinaman kaya pag preaching. Same illustrations. Same stories. Nothing new. Nothing fresh.

Nakakahiya. Nakakawalang gana.

Aasa pa tayo mageevangelize o magwi-witness pa yan ng unbeliever? E kung sa mga believer nga tinatamad na, magkwento pa tungkol ke Jesus at mag aya ng mga tao sa church? This is sad. It’s a sign of spiritual decay. Patungo nayan sa pagba-backslide.

What should we do then?

Sabi nga ni Jesus, “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

We should wake up from our spiritual slumber.

We should get up. We should RISE UP.

We should pray more. Resist temptation. Pati na ang tukso ng katamaran.

Minsan nasobrahan lang talaga sa tulog. Minsan na overwhelm lang ng mga problema sa buhay. Minsan nahawa lang sa kasama. O dinaman kaya, minsan, me pinagdadaanan lang na phase sa spiritual life.

It happens. It has happened even to the most spiritual of people. It can happen to anyone.

But the important thing is, wag magtagal sa ganyang kalagayan. Don’t give it any minute longer. Wag mung patatagalin na ikaw ay tinatamad sa mga bagay tungkol sa Panginoon.

Magdevotion ka ulit. Magbasa ka ulit ng Bibliya. Magbasa ka ulit ng christian book. Dumalo ka ng mga gawaing magbabalik ng apoy mo para sa pananampalataya. Do something. Get back doing what it is you are called to do in the church, in the ministry, in the kingdom of God.  Get back into the action, and let your faith come alive once again.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Thank you Lord for your kindness to me. For your love that embraces me all the time. Thank you Lord for your grace and mercy, that never fails to come to my life, specially when i needed them most. And i come today asking you Lord to take away any form of spiritual laziness. Enable me to live each day under the power of God. Fill me with the fresh touch of your Spirit. Empower me with your anointing. Stir me up with the word of God. I desire your presence Lord. Be with me today. Be with my loved ones. Be with us. I pray all these things, in Jesus name, amen.

ROMAN GUEVARA
Daily Devotional Reading

“Let them know”

Scripture:

Hebrews 3:13

¹³But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

I don’t know about you, pero ako, pagnapapalapit na ang birthday ko, parang im in the mood to reflect about life, specifically, how my life has turned out.

My happiest…………and saddest.

My successes…….. and failures.

My achievements…..and disasters.

My victories………….and struggles.

My ups………………..and downs.

My best decisions….and of course, my unbelievable mistakes!

Yes, there all there.

Reflection, at certain times in the year is good thing. Birthdays, anniversaries, and siyempre the New Year.

Parang blood donation? Recently ko lang na discover na maganda palang ginagawa to once a year. Kasi, nalilinis ang dugo mo, nalalaman mo kung kamusta health mo dahil siyempre kung ano-anong test ang gagawin sayo para malaman kung puwede ka ngang magdonate, at of course, what a joy na nakatulong kapa sa kapwa mo na nangangailangan ng dugo.

Reflection, is just like that. It’s good for us, once in awhile.

And the other day, i was just laying on my bed, thanking God na magbe birthday na naman ako uli, and looking at my ceiling, i began to ask God “Lord, halos fifteen years na akong nagmi-ministry, did i make the right choice?”

Of course, alam ko naman, na i made the right choice.

You see, sa mga hindi nakakaalam, sa mga hindi naman ako masyado kilala, e, kwento ko lang.

Wala naman kasi akong planong mag Pastor.  Sa loob-loob ko lang, masyado na akong maraming kamag anak at kilalang Pastor. Sila na lang. Ang balak ko talaga, mag abogado. Mula elementary, tapus high school, and then college, yun ang battlecry ko. I took an undergraduate course that i felt would be a good pre-law endeavour. Kaso nga lang, somewhere in my youth and childhood, e, i would like to believe, God intervened. Kaya by the time i was 17 years old, still in college, e, nagPastor na ako. And from then on, that’s what i’ve been doing.

Now im sure im not the youngest ever na naging Pastor. Baka somewhere out there merong mas bata pa nung nagsimula. Pero medyo bata pa talaga ako when i started doing Pastoral ministry, kaya, i could honestly say, it’s been a challenging ride.

I can still remember my idealism when i started. As well as the energy that went with it. However, as much as i would like to forget, i also remember, my many mistakes. The many times i’ve failed morally, spiritually. I remember the people who have greatly encouraged me. Those who have made an impact in my life. Pero, pero, pero, i also remember, as much as i would like to forget, the people who have greatly discouraged and dissapointed me as well. Madami dami din sila.

Kaya going back to my reflective mood, i said to God “Lord, palambing naman, i know i made the right choice to serve you and your people, and it’s all really for your glory and honor………pero, sana naman malaman ko kung me na touch naman ang life, because i made that choice.”

And you know what?

The next day, i opened my multiply site, and tada!!!!!!  Isang katerbang messages sa guestbook ko, sa Personal Message or PMs sa inbox, people i’ve never known, telling me, that by God’s grace, and glory to God, once upon a time, they have been touched by God, somehow, through my life and ministry.

Talk about answered prayers!

One guy from Saudi Arabia wrote how way back in the early 90’s, his mother sent him to attend RISE UP youth conferences, na pinangungunahan ko. Ayaw pa nga raw niyang umatend non. Halos kaladkarin siya ng kanyang magulang. Pero, somehow napa attend parin siya. He mentioned in his message to me, na isa yun sa ginamit ni Lord, kung bakit today, he is now very much active in the ministry. He wrote because recently, the Lord has been dealing with him to approach and thank those whom God has used in his life. I was sobrang na encourage sa effort niya to find me after all these years, just to say thanks.

Another one wrote from Baguio. 14 years old lang daw siya nung una niya akong napakinggan magpreach, also in the 90’s. Pero God used that moment as well, to plant seeds in his life, that as of today, not only is he married na, pero Senior Pastor pa ng church nila sa Baguio.  Glory to God talaga.

Yung iba naman wrote to express their gratitude kasi every morning inaabangan daw nila nag devotional readings that i write sa multiply.com, and they were sharing how through these writings they have been inspired, convicted, comforted, and encouraged to go on with life and in serving God.

Now don’t get me wrong. Hindi naman natin ito kinikwento para magyabang. At hindi rin ako nag e-ego trip. At mas lalo namang wala akong balak na kunin ang glory ke God. Ang point ko is this.

Minsan, ang tao, kailangan niya ng encouragement.

Yes, we know, it’s all for God. And yes, his love is enough. However, part ng pamamaraan ni Lord para maramdaman nating lahat ang kanyang love, e, through each other.

Kaya, kung na bless tayo, natulungan tayo ng someone, na encourage tayo somehow by another person, e tama lang naman siguro, that we should let them know.

We should let them know na tama yung ginagawa nila. We should let them know na me tinatamaan sa ginagawa nila. We should let them know na me tama silang ginagawa sa buhay nila. And they will never know really, how much, they have touched our lives, not unless, and not until, somehow, we tell it to them.

Wala naman sa ating perfect. Even the most spiritual of people make mistakes. Commit sins. Experience failure. Pero that doesnt mean, lagi nalang tayong palpak.

Me mga pumapatok tayong relationships, at meron din tayong failed relationships.

Merong mga taong gumanda buhay dahil sa atin, at meron din namang mga taong hindi kasing ganda ang alaala sa ating pangalan.

We can’t have it all.

We can only try our best, and continue to live under God’s mercy and grace.

Kaya, pag merong ginamit si Lord sa buhay natin, pasalamatan natin sila.

My brother wrote a song, and it goes like this “salamat sa iyo, binigay mo ang buhay mo, sa Panginoon, salamat sa iyo”.

The song is a reminder to us all. We need each other. And we need to encourage one another.

The other day, sinamahan ko yung friend ko at ang kanyang pamilya, na ihatid sa airport ang nagiisa niyang kapatid. E, parehong lalake, kaya, puro kalokohan nung nagpapaalam na sa airport. One year din mawawala ang kapatid bago makabalik ng Pilipinas. Nung naihatid na namin, naghiwalay nadin kami nung parents niya, tapus kaming dalawa, we went somewhere else. Mamaya maya, nung nasa taxi nakami, nag emote ang friend na ito. Sabi niya sa akin, “kuya, parang nalulungkot ako”. Sabi ko “okay lang yun, okay lang na malungkot ka, hayaan mo lang.” Aba, mamaya maya, ayun, mega cry-cry ang nagpupumilit na hindi magdradrama!

E sabi ko, “walang masama na umiyak noh, e dapat kanina nung nagpaalaman kayo, dapat dun ka nagiiyak.” E ang sabi sa akin “e nahihiya kasi ako kanina eh, me mga tao, atsaka pinipigilan ko.” Later i discovered,  pati yung nanay nila na kasama naming naghatid, nagsisihagulgol din nung naghiwalay na kami from the airport.

Yun naman ang mali. Yung naiiyak ka, tapus pinipigilan mo dahil nahihiya ka sa ibang tao. Kasi kung mahal mo, edi normal lang na nalulungkot ka kasi magkakahiwalay kayo. At pagnalulungkot, normal na naiiyak ka.

Parang sa magboyfriend lang yan, at pati narin sa magasawa. Minsan tinatanong ka ng partner mo, ng lover mo, “honey, mahal mo ba ko?”. Kadalasan pag matagal ng nagsasama, pagmatagal-tagal na kayo, e ang sagot na lagi ay “alam mo nayon!”.

Oo nga. Alam na niya.

Kaso nga lang, paminsan minsan, gusto naman niyang marinig.

Paminsan-minsan, gusto naman nating makitang naiiyak ang mga tao sa lungkot dahil mahal nila tayo. Paminsan-minsan gusto naman nating marinig, mabasa sa text or sa email, na, people love us. That we are doing the right thing. That we are a blessing in their lives. That we matter in this world.

And you know? Sometimes………………………hindi nila alam.

Why not?  Kasi……………………………………..hindi natin sinasabi. Hindi natin pinapakita. Hindi natin pinaparamdam.

Let them know.

Thank God for friendster, christianster, myspace, hi-5, facebook, and of course, multiply, people are more connected now, more than ever, in our lifetime and history. At isa sa features ng mga social websites na ito, is that, you can announce your birthday to your own sphere of influence. Kaya, kung me isa kaman lang na friend or contact, tiyak, hindi kanaman ma z-zero sa pagbati or greetings pag eto na, it’s your birthday already.

Kaya, in the last 2 weeks, medyo sunod sunod na ang pagtanggap ko ng advance hapi birthday greetings.

At you know what? Thankful ako, for all of them. Thankful ako, kahit sa pagbati……lang.

Pero siyempre, medyo extra special ang pasasalamat ko sa mga higit sa pagbati ang pinaabot. Tulad ng kagabi, some of my very good friends decided to throw me a pre-birthday dinner! At sino banaman ang hindi kikiligin pag inaabutan kana ng mga regalo? Lalo na kung cash! Hehehe.

Love talaga nila ako. They are truly my friends.

Kasi, sometimes, kailangan din, hindi lang na sabihin. Kundi…….ipakita.

Kailangan nila yun from time to time. Kailangan naman minsan ilibre natin sila for lunch or dinner. Kailangan naman minsan bilan natin sila ng damit, sapatos, o kahit celfone o bagong laptop. Kailangan naman minsan, kung nabless ka talaga, i-encourage munaman ang mga taong ito, by giving them, with what most people need today…..cash!

Ok yung pabati-bati, pagreet-greet, patext-text, payakap-yakap. Pero sometimes, mas maging creative kanaman.

Yes, kailangan nila. Pero, the truth is, kailangan din natin.

Kailangan nating malaman at maramdaman, that we have become a good person. And a good person, is, a grateful person. We Filipinos have a good concept concerning this. The concept of “utang na loob”.  It’s not really about what we owe, but more of the fact that we love, and that because of, including that which they have contributed to our lives in the past, our parents, our brothers and sisters, our relatives, our friends, our leaders and Pastors in the church, we have become who we are today, and hopefully, we are today, a better person, a good person. A grateful person.

How about you?

Who has touched your life?

Sino ba ang mga taong nagmamahal sayo, noon paman, at hanggang sa ngayon?

Sino ba ang mga taong ginamit at patuloy na ginagamit ni Lord para patuloy na lumalakas ang iyong faith?

Napasalamatan munaba sila?

Napakita munaba sa kanila how grateful you really are of them?

Kapatid, maybe it’s time. Maybe it’s your turn. Who knows how important it is for them right now for you to say, for you to share, for you to acknowledge, not tomorrow, but today.

Let them know.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Thank you Lord for this beautiful day that you have made. And life is even more beautiful because of your great love, and the people you’ve brought in my life to make it so. I cherish Lord all your works. I appreciate Lord tha people you have used in my life so that even today, i continue to cling to you. I pray for them Lord. Bless them each day. Empower them. Enrich them. Encourage them. Forgive me Lord, if sometimes i have been remiss in showing my gratitude. Forgive me Lord for the times that i have been ungrateful. Help me Lord to say it. Help me Lord to show it. To be an encouragement myself to others. And that is why today Lord, i ask, that you use me. That you make use of my unworthy life, to bring glory to your name, by helping others RISE UP. By encouraging others with your love. Anoint this day Lord for all of us, in Jesus name, amen.

IF YOU HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGED BY THIS DEVOTIONAL, FEEL FREE TO RECOPY, REPOST OR TO MAKE A LINK THROUGH YOUR SITE, THANKS AND GOD BLESS.

IN YOUR SPARE TIME, YOU MAY WANT TO HEAR THE WEEKLY AUDIO MESSAGE FOUND ON THE LISTEN SECTION OF THIS SITES HOMEPAGE.

ROMAN GUEVARA
Daily Devotional Reading

“Textback Please, Thanks”

Scripture:

Proverbs 11:17

¹⁷ A kind man benefits himself,
but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.

A friend of mine told me, that when Rudy Fernandez, the actor, was lying on his deathbed, tinawag niya ang kanyang mga anak to give them his last words or habilin. When it was Mark Anthony’s turn, his son by Alma Moreno, it is said that he gave (3) important reminders, and one of them, was, na, matuto siyang magtextback.

How important is it to textback, that a man who is about to die, would include it in his last words for his love ones?

Bakit ba tayo hindi nagtetextback?

One, hindi natin kilala yung nagtetex.

Number lang ang lumalabas sa ating celfone. Therefore, we conclude na baka nakuha lang ang number natin from someone else without our permission. It happens. And it happens a lot. Usually me pino promote na event or me tinitinda na item. We consider this a breach of our privacy, as well as a waste of our time to read, and much more to textback. Now, kung wala namang pinopromote o tinitinda, still, suspicious parin sa atin yung texter, kasi nga, hindi naman nakasave ang name niya sa ating directory. Ergo, hindi naman urgent at important sa ating buhay. Why should we textback?

Second, kilala natin pero hindi naman urgent ung message.

Tulad ng quotations. Me nagtext sayo “generosity is a good virtue”, or “bible reading is a must”, sino ba naman ang magtetextback sa ganyan? Siguro kung ang quotation ay “the heavens are beautiful and so are you” siguro sasagutin natin agad. Pero thanks sa mga nagsesend ng quotation, for taking the time to go unlimitext, and for including us in the text blast. Pero, alanganamang, sagutin natin ng sagutin ang quotations. With what? Another quotation? And there are other non-urgent messages. Like jokes. Or nonsense na questions. Or simpleng pangungulit. Bakit ba natin sila sasagutin agad o i tetextback? Lalo na king me ginagawa kang mahalaga. Tulad ng nagmamaneho ka ng sasakyan. Nasa meeting. Nasa bible study o worship service. Nagtatrabaho. Nagaaral. We do have a life. And our lives must not be enslaved by the not-so-urgent matters that usually pretends to be.

Third, kilala natin, pero sadyang ating iniiwasan.

Kung me utang tayo sa kanila at naniningil na. Kung me ibibigay sayong assignment, utos, or request, pero, unavailable ka sa ngayon. Kung hinahanap ka na ng magulang mo at pinapauwi ka na sa bahay. Kung ang girlfriend mo inaalam kung nasan kana at sino na ang kasama mo. Kung me kalokohan tayo at mukhang me nagiimbistiga. What else? Iniiwasan din natin yung mga nanliligaw, mga stalker, mga nangungulit. Mga kagalit natin na nagsosorry na, pero di pa tayo ready to forgive. Or when we are running away from something, and the only way to have peace of mind, is to ignore the text.

Fourth, kilala natin pero hindi naman important.

Hindi important ang ano? Ang message? O yung person? Sometimes yung message hindi important pero yung tao oo. Sometimes yung message important pero yung tao hindi. Pero sometimes important na yung message at pati yung tao, pero hindi parin tayo agad nagtetextback…………………………iba nayon. Pwedeng katamaran. Or pwedeng hindi ka kasi considerate. Hindi ka kasi thoughtful. Hindi ka kasi kind.

And the bible may not contain texting guidelines, but it does teach us to be kind.

There are messages that are not so urgent.

There are times we are really very busy.

But people are always important. Kahit sino pa siya.

And not texting back, and not texting back immediately, specially when we should, tells a person, that he is not important to you. And that is painful. That is unkind. And in some cases, very cruel.

Lalo na, kung mahalaga talaga sa buhay mo. Tulad ng magulang, kapatid, asawa, boyfriend, best friend, mga kabarkada mo, churchmates, people you work with, people you live with. Mga taong pinagkakautangan natin ng utang na loob. Old friends. People who helped us in the past. People who love and care for us.

Sometimes we take them for granted. Sometimes we think, they understand naman why we dont textback immediately. Or that, they are always around naman, kaya kahit bukas nako magtextback, or next week nako magtextback, or next month nako magtextback. How can you be so sure that they will still be around next month? next week? or na nandiyadiyan pa sila bukas?

Minsan me mga taong sablay sumagot sa text. Di mu alam kung na nanadya o me sayad lang talaga. Bakit kanyo? I text mu ngayon, as in right now, ng “kamusta? san kana?” . Sasagutin ka naman, yun nga lang after 1 week. At ang sagot sayo “o, eto mabuti naman, nandito lang ako sa bahay”. E seven days na ang lumipas, kung sumagot, akala mo ngayon lang natanggap. Some people are just unbelievable!

Pero, at eto, pero talaga. Pag siya naman ang nangailangan………gusto, sasagot tayo agad agad. Lalagay pa sa dulo ng message “textback please, thanks”. At ilang ulit pang ipapadala ang message niya, until we finally respond. Bakt natin siya dapat itextback agad? Nung bang tayo nagtetext sa kanya, sumagot siya agad? Ang hirap kasi sa ibang tao, pag mekailangan lang dun lang nagtetext. Pano ba naman gaganahan ang ibang tao sa iyo.

Even your love ones. One day, makakahalata narin ang mga yan, at mapapagod. Mapapagod na mahalin ka. Mapapagod na itext ka. Kasi, hindi kanaman considerate. Hindi kanaman thougthful. Hindi kanaman kind.

I heard someone say one time, “ako kasi, hindi naman ako talaga mahilig magtext, kaya hindi ako agad nagtetextback”. Bumenta nayan. One day, isang araw, you will realize, it’s basic human kindness, na magrespond kanaman sa text, lalo na, kung parte siya ng buhay mo.

Let’s be kinder. Mag textback naman tayo.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Thank you Lord for today. For the beauty of your creation. For the life that i have. For the opportunity to make things right. Thank you Lord for reminding me of the importance of kindness. Show me my faults. Convict me of my shortcomings. Teach me to be humble in times of correction. Enable me to see the things that i must change in my ways. Teach me to be kind. Fill me Lord today with your love, joy, and peace. And make this day, and this whole week, a blessed week, for me and for my love ones. I pray all of these things by faith, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, in Jesus name, amen.

IF YOU HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGED BY THIS DEVOTIONAL, FEEL FREE TO RECOPY, REPOST, OR LINK THROUGH YOUR SITE, THANKS AND GOD BLESS.

YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO HEAR THE WEEKLY AUDIO MESSAGE FOUND ON THE LISTEN SECTION OF THIS SITES HOMEPAGE.

ROMAN GUEVARA
Daily Devotional Reading

“Sex, Lies, and Youtube”

Scripture

Psalm 34:11-13

¹¹ Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

¹² Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,

¹³ keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking lies.

Sex………16 years of addiction to pornography.

Lies………2 years of deceiving people about an aggressive cancer.

And Youtube…300,000++ views for the hit song “Healer”, taken out of Youtube by Hillsongs.

This is now how people talk about Michael Guglielmucci, an Australian Worship Leader, Composer and Pastor, who finally admitted to the public, that he has been addicted to pornography, and that he has been lying to everyone, about having cancer.

Hindi naman ito ang first time na ma iskandalo at madisgrace ang isang kilalang Pastor.

I remember in the ’80s, isyung isyu sa mga christians at hindi christians ang pagbagsak ng isang Jimmy Swaggart. Sumikat siya bilang isang “tele evangelist.” Nakilala dahil napapanood siya ng milyong milyong mga tao sa pamamagitan ng world wide television. Kinaiinggitan din ng marami, dahil noong araw, it took a lot of money to be seen by millions on television. And Jimmy Swaggart’s ministries hauled in as many milliions of dollars in donations and offerings, as the millions that watched him. I’ve been told that he was truly a charismatic and dynamic preacher who also sang during his sermons and services.  But one day, he was caught and photographed going into a motel with a prostitute, and that was the end of his worldwide ministry.

And there were others. Pastors, Priests, Preachers. We’ve heard some of the stories. We’ve seen them on the news. We’ve read them on magazines and newspapers.

But Michael Guglielmucci is a little bit different.

For one, mas kilala siya bilang isang worship leader and composer, kesa bilang isang Pastor. At hindi lang siya nakilala dahil sa TV. Nakilala siya dahil sa bilis at efficiency ng Internet, specially through the posts of Hillsong sa Youtube.

For years, his compositions have been sung by thousands of people all over the world, specially in Australia. His group Planetshakers, is one of the more well-known worship ministries, not only in Australia, but in many parts of the Western World.

Specially sentimental to a lot of people is his latest song, “Healer”.

Sabi kasi niya in one of his videos, nacompose daw niya ang kantang ito, dahil nga nalaman niyang me cancer siya. Eventually, the song was recorded on one of the worship recordings of Planetshakers, and later, pati Hillsongs inimbitahan siya na irecord at ivideo yung kantang “Healer” sa kanilang latest worship recording.

I remember one Hillsong fan telling me, before this scandal broke out, na panoorin ko daw sa youtube yung kantang “Healer”, kasi nakaka iyak daw. Yung worship leader, si Michael Guglielmucci, kinanta with Hillsongs Band, ang kantang ito na daladala ang oxygen tank sa stage, kasi nga me cancer daw. Wala na ngayon ang video ng “Healer” sa youtube kasi tinanggal na ng Hillsong.

And this is what is so baffling to a lot of people.

He didn’t just lie to people….he lied about having cancer, and from this lie he was able to compose a beautiful song about healing.

He said in one of his recent interviews, that he lied about cancer because he was addicted to porn.

But nobody is buying it. At least for now.

A lot of people, specially those who have known him for years, even his own family and friends, have been hurt by these developments. And since he is known worldwide, countless more have been greatly discouraged by this news.

Many are asking questions.

Why did he really lie?

How could somebody like him lie and lie about something like cancer?

He didn’t need the fame and attention, because he already had fame and attention.

He didn’t need the money, because he already had lots of it.

Again, why did he lie?

How could he lie?

It’s easy to talk about scandals and sins, because….it is not our own.

Pero, “honestly”, sino ba naman sa atin ang hindi nakapagsinungaling?

Just in case na merong nagbabasa nito na hindi minsan nagsinungaling sa buong buhay niya, e, congratz na lang, at sana tuloy tuloy kana sa pamumuhay ng buong katotohanan.

But to most of us, who, at some point in our lives, have lied, be it a white lie, a small lie, or the really big ones, we know the feeling….and im sure, wala sa atin gustong magsinungaling at maramdaman ang feeling na nakapagsinungaling.

But why do we lie? Why have we lied?

Why are we lying?

How could we lie? Specially now that we are christians, some even ministers of God….How could we still say, and sometimes live in a lie?

I remember Dr. House, the lead character in the medical series HOUSE, saying in one of the first episodes of the first season, “Everybody lies”. He was referring kasi to patients in the hospital, na bago nila ti ni treat, e tinatanung muna as part of their diagnosis, tungkol sa personal history, para madetermine ang right treatment. E kaso nga lang, minsan, nakakahiya ang “true” at personal history, kaya many of his patients lie.

Does everybody lie?

Lahat ba ng nagsisinungaling, o nakapagsinungaling, e,  masama?

Should we just tell the truth?

What are the implications and consequences of telling the truth?

Can the people we love, handle the truth?

Can we handle the truth?

Michael Guglielmucci said, halos 16 years na siyang addicted sa pornography. Subtract muyan sa kanyang edad ngayon, and you will know that 16 years ago, he was only like 13 years old. Meaning? Sino banamang teenager na lalaki ang hindi naging curious about porn? And you will also discover pa, that as you read his bio, na anak siya ng Pastor, batang bata siya nung nagstart sa ministry, and at 29, he has been ministering for quite so many years already.

Maybe napagod? Maybe me pinagdadaanan ang isang taong lumaki sa isang christian family, na hindi pinagdadaanan ng ordinaryong teenager? Maybe he had struggles that many people couldn’t help him with? Maybe he had lived for so long being so strong for so many people, he didnt have time to be weak, but he was already weak, and so he fell? Maybe hindi talaga madali ang makilala ng maraming tao dahil sa ministry? Maybe, just maybe, these are the reasons why he lied?

Does that justify what he did? Does that nullify the effects of his deception?

Of course not. But we should definitely not judge him nor should we condemn him.

But knowing more about God’s grace and love, should make us, those of us who are just watching on the sidelines, better understand, why he did what he did, and ultimately forgive him, as we all have sinned, and all of us need forgiveness.

May God help us all.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Forgive us Lord our sins. Forgive us of our lies. Forgive us for judging other people. Forgive us for being proud. We have sinned before you many times. Maybe not like the sins committed by others, but then you know each of us more than anyone else. Help us Lord to live a life that pleases you. And teach us Lord to understand why others fail and fall. Cause us to be compassionate and gracious towards others. We pray for everyone who is struggling today because of some very sensitive matter in their life. Give all of us the wisdom, the courage, and the strength to overcome, by the power and blood of Jesus Christ. I pray all of these things, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, amen.

IF YOU HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGED BY THIS DEVOTIONAL, FEEL FREE TO RECOPY, REPOST, OR LINK THROUGH YOUR SITE, THANKS AND GOD BLESS.