roman guevara

ROMAN GUEVARA

Devotional Reading

"Complete in Christ"

2 Peter 1:3-4

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

If someone will ask you, what are the things that you lack in life, what would you include in your list? What would be your top 3? Money? Material  things? Mate?

The truth is, all of us need certain things in life. They are items we feel would add greatly to our happiness and well being.

Walang masama na maghangad ng mga bagay na sa tingin natin magdudulot ng kaligayahan sa ating buhay. For when we see the things we lack, we see the things we desire, we need, and sometimes, things we simply want.

Yes, life is not just about what we need. There are things that we think we lack, not because they are essential for our existence. We just desire to have them. Believing somehow, that by having them, the things we want, they will grant us greater joy.  That we would be complete.

But as much as God does not forbid us to desire, still we must be reminded that He has already provided the means by which we will feel complete. It happens as we have Jesus Christ in our lives. As we accept Him as our personal Lord and Saviour. As we study and apply His words. And as we commit ourselves to His service in the Kingdom of God.

A person can strive hard to live the life of his dreams. Nothing wrong with that. If we want certain things, if we desire to have certain things, we should by all means, get them.

But we should be reminded that to be complete, is to be in Christ. As we study His word, God says, "that His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness…" The key word there is the word "EVERYTHING". We can trust the Lord for everything we want. For everything we desire.

He may or may not give them all to us. But they that trust in the Lord believe that God knows what He is doing. That if He gives us what we desire, it is because we know that God agrees with us. That if He doesn’t, we are still thankful, because we know God has His reasons.

Do you feel lacking in anything? Do you have desires and wants? Do you have needs you want God to provide?

Believe His word today. His power, His word, they remind us, we are COMPLETE IN CHRIST.

Say it, believe it, receive it.

I AM COMPLETE IN CHRIST.

As i write this DEVOTIONAL READING, i am reminded of the song "Give thanks". Let us recall the lyrics of this song and benefit from it’s message.

GIVE THANKS

Give thanks with a grateful heart

Give thanks to the holy one

Give thanks because his given Jesus Christ his Son

And now, let the weak say i am strong

Let the poor say i am rich

Because of what the Lord has done, for us

Give thanks

Make this your prayer for today:

Lord God our Father in heaven, thank you Lord for this new day. And in each day we have hope that you will bless us and fill us with blessings beyond our comprehension. We put our faith, our trust, and belief in the provision of the almighty God for all our needs. You are rich, you are great, and most importantly, we know that you are good. I lift to you all of my burdens and challenges in life. Thank you Lord for being my partner in all my struggles and difficulties. I am sorry Lord for the times that i doubt your blessings and provision. I choose not to fear, to worry, or to complain. I choose to believe. I know that I AM COMLEPETE IN CHRIST! I pray all of these things in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, amen.

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ROMAN GUEVARA

Daily Inspiration

"Leave the past behind"

Philippians 12:14

Not that i have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but i press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, i do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

We are who we are today because of our past. We cannot separate ourselves from our past. We cannot deny that we have a past. Even if we try to deny or lie about the most sordid aspects of our past, still, it has a unique way of rearing it’s ugly head.

Let’s accept it. The past is the past.

But how are we to deal with our past?

Ano ba ang ibig sabihin ng leave the past behind?

First, we should treasure the learning experiences.  Throughout our history, marami tayong mga nagawa at naranasan. Mabuti man o pangit. Masaya man o masaklap. Kapuri puri man o kahiya hiya. The fact is, we can treat them all as learning experiences. Itabi natin sa ating puso ang mga mahahalagang aral na itinuro sa atin ng kasaysayan. Tiyak, they will come in handy in the future.

Second, forvige anyone who has hurt you in the past. Dahil ang buhay dynamic, puwede tayo magkasakitan ng damdamin. Puwedeng ako ang nasaktan. At puwede din na ako ang nanakit. Turuan natin ang ating mga sarili na magpatawad. Kung sa ating nakaraan, me tinik ng kahapon, bunutin na natin sila. Kung sa ating nakaraan, me nagpatigas ng ating puso, e, palambutin na natin. Life is too short to be unforgiving. Tingnan din natin kung tayo ang nakasakit. Pag ganun, e, tayoy magpakumbaba. Tayo na ang magsorry.

Third, let go of difficult attachments. Minsan kasi, meroon sa ating nakaraan, na, napakahirap bitiwan. They can be positive experiences, as well as negative experiences. Tulad ng achievements in the past, what you were before, how others in the past treated you. Tigilan na natin ang paghahanap sa mga kasiyahang matagal ng wala. Thank God for them. And if you so really desire to experience the joy of certain past achievements, then carry on with your life. Furthermore, to let go means to set ourselves free from the people, from the pain, from the hurts that the past has given us. Posibleng we need to let go of someone we love na wala na sa ating piling. Tulad ng kung ikaw ay namatayan, iniwanan, pinagtaksilan. It’s hard, i know. But try your best still to let go and let God.

Finally, move forward.  Life doesn’t end with the past. Turn your hurts into halos. Your stumblick blocks into stepping stones. Think of your trials and testings as challenges. Be positive. Be hopeful. Have faith. LIfe goes on. When something closes, another door opens. Pag me nagsasara, me magbubukas. We should always strive to move on with our lives no matter what. Habang nabubuhay, mag enjoy. Parang graduation yan ng High School. Malungkot kasi maghihiwalay. Natapos na ang magagandang experiences with friends. You are leaving a school that has been your home for many years. However, we all know, we can’t be in high school forever. Ganon din sa kanya kanya nating kinalalagyan sa buhay. We can’t be stuck where we are.

Let us leave the past behind, believing in our hearts, that as God is with us, not only can we hurdle the difficulties, but more importantly, we will RISE UP to soar to greater heights that life has to offer.

Make this your prayer for today:

Dear God in heaven, thank you for today. I praise you. I worship you. You deserve the highest praise. You deserve to be glorified by your people. I come in humility, in all honesty and sincerity, seeking your face, seeking your will, seeking your favor. As i know that you are a compassionate and merciful God, now i ask once more for your forgiveness. Yes Lord, forgive me my sins. Help me to see where and when i have failed you. Bigyan niyo po ako ng conviction. Ng kakayahang makita at maramdaman ang kabigatan ng aking mga kasalanan. Alam ko pong kayo ay mapagpatawad at mapagmahal. Teach me Lord to remember the lessons of my past. To forgive even the deepest of hurts. And to let go of everything that can hold me back from moving forward to a better and happier life. O Lord you are good. You are good to me. May you be magnified through my new life in Jesus Christ. To God be the glory.

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ROMAN GUEVARA

Daily Inspiration

"Thankful"

Hebrews 12:28-29

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, "for our God is a consuming fire".

Marami tayong puwedeng ipagpasalamat sa Panginoon.

We can thank God for many things in our lives.

We can thank God for air that we breathe. Just recently, i conducted a (4) day Youth Leadership Retreat at Pila Laguna. The campsite had passable facilities, but it was evident that it needed a lot of improvement. But if there was anything i trully appreciated about the campsite, as well as the camp itself, was the opportunity to breathe fresh air. You don’t get that anymore in Metro Manila. Everyday that i spent in that campsite, i took meaningful time to just breathe the air, and thanking God that He was giving me that chance.

Breathing the air says many things. Including that  we are still alive. Living. And that we could hope for a better future. Why so? Because a christian lives by faith and not by sight. We live through the power of God. We believe that it is not by might nor by power but by the Spirit of the Lord. It’s true that we need to work for a living. To prepare well for our future. To save, invest, and do many other wise and practical endeavors.

But we who have experienced God’s provision in our lives, knows, that inspite of what we should and can do, still, we put our hope, our future in God’s hands.  Breathing the air, reminds us that we live because God saved us through His Son Jesus Christ. That through Jesus, we have been Born Again of water and of Spirit. The air that we breathe reminds us of God’s Spirit with us. That which give us our life, our strength, our comfort, our guidance, our salvation.

I’d like to share to you a song that my parents thought me when i was still a child. It’s a song that our family sings before we partake of very important meals during reunion. It’s the song "Thank You Lord". It goes like this:

"THANK YOU LORD’

Thank you Lord

For saving my soul

Thank you Lord

For making me whole

Thank you Lord

For giving to me

Thy great salvation

So rich and free

Make this your prayer today:

Thank you Lord for giving me the opportunity to come today in prayer. Salamat Panginoon dahil alam ko na ako ay nabubuhay ngayon dahil sa iyong mga biyaya. Sinusuko ko po sa oras na ito lahat ng aking pagdududa at pag agam-agam. Tulungan mo ako na makita ang mga bagay sa buhay ko na dapat kong ipagpasalamat. I want to be thankful. I want to live a life that worships God. Be glorified. Be magnified. You deserve all the praises. I pray all of these things, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In Jesus might name i pray, amen.

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ROMAN GUEVARA

Daily Inspiration

"Not even a mountain"

Matthew 21:21-22

Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

Just recently, i got all excited as my website developer texted me that my website was now functional. It’s not yet fully operational, but (2) of the most important functions were already good for trial run.  You simply type www.romanguevara.com, and you will get into the website.  the website has a subtitle after my name. It reads "inspirational helps for personal growth. 

The (2) most important functions i am talking about is the weekly message (where you can listen to my audio preaching), and the web album (where you can listen and download for free my praise and worship recordings).

Isang buwan din siguro siya na mag trial run before i would make it official. Iba na rin kasi na pa andarin muna para makita ang glitches at needs improvement.

Minsan me nagtanung sa akin kung bakit pa ba ako naglabas ng website. Pati nadin itong DAILY INSPIRATION blog. Bakit pa daw ako nagtiyatiyagang magsulat nito halos araw araw?

Sabi ko, una, alam ko pinagagawa sa akin ni Lord ang ganito. Kaya, simple obedience to God’s command and calling. That should be enough good reason to do anything.

Pero pangalawa, na eenjoy ko naman gawin.

At pangatlo, kung me matutulungan na lumakas ang pananampalataya, sa pamamagitan ng pakikinig ng message at kanta sa website, at pati nadin sa pagbabasa ng DAILY INSPIRATION blog na ito, then it’s all worth it.

Kailangan kasi natin gawan ng paraan na lumakas araw araw ang ating faith.

Hindi lang sa dahil me wish list tayo o prayer request.

Sometimes, we have trials, testings, challenges. Mga mountains that we need to climb. Problems and obstacles to blessings that we need to overcome and hurdle.

It’s not always easy. But having faith in God helps.

Sabi nung verse natin for today, "if you believe, you will receive".

What is it that you want to receive from God today?

Kung anu man yon, unahin mong palakasin ang iyong faith.

People who believe receive because their faith is strong. It’s deeply rooted. It is sincere. Kaya tuloy malakas ang loob nilang magpray kasi alam  nila diringgin sila ni Lord. Bukod don, nagpapapray pa tuloy ang iba sa kanila. They have built a reputation among other people that their faith is real. Hindi lang palabas, kundi totoo sa kanilang buhay.

Let your faith grow. Make it alive. Use resources like this to increase the fire in your spirit.

Remember, when your faith is strong and real, NOT EVEN A MOUNTAIN can stop you from getting blessed by God almighty!

Make this your prayer today:

Lord God in heaven, i praise your great and might name. You are trully beautiful, magnificent, faithful and true. As i come into your presence, i ask for your forgiveness. That you would make me pure in heart. Enable me to receive from you today a fresh touch of your spirit. I lift to you today my faith. Make it strong. Make it deep. Make it real. I want to believe and not doubt. I want to pray and know that you are indeed listening to me. Help me to become successful. To overcome problems as big as a mountain. I dedicate to you my life today once again, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, amen.

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ROMAN GUEVARA

Daily Inspiration

"Live life to the full"

John 10:7-10

Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

God wants us to enjoy life. He wants us to live it to the full.

This doesn’t always happen for everyone. Some people hold back. Some people are trapped in a rut. Me mga tao na hindi nila na eenjoy ang kanilang buhay. Pano nangyari yon? Maraming posibleng dahilan.

Some people are not enjoying life because financially they are lacking. Wala silang pera kaya hindi nila mabili ang gusto nila.

Some people on the other hand, me pera na, pero di pa din happy. Why so? Kasi wala na silang mahanap na mabili na magbibigay ng joy sa kanila.

Hindi lang naman kasi pera ang susi sa enjoyment sa buhay.

Nanjan na ang pamilya. Aanhin mo ang maraming pera kung hindi mo naman kapiling ang asawa, anak, kapatid, mahal sa buhay. The quest for financial freedom must be motivated by the desire to give a better life to loved ones. Tuloy, kahit hindi kayo nagkikita dahil you have to work abroad, still, me sense of purpose and meaning ang sacrifice, because you are doing it for someone you love.  When you get back, and see the results sa inyong bahay, sa buhay ng mga importante sa iyo, you feel satisfied and fulfilled.

Life is an enjoyment when you are enjoying it with people you love and care for.

Kung wala kanang pamilya, edi mag imbento ka ng bago.

Sa atin namang mga Filipino, makipamilya ka sa kapitbahay, sa mga kaopis mate, sa pamilya ng friends, e, ok lang. Tawagan mo nading mama, papa, tito, tita, ang pamilya ng friends mo at in kaagad.  Kung hindi man sa ganyang paraan, sa pamamagitan ng family ng girlfriend mo o asawa. The point is, life is more enjoyable when you have people to share it with.

What else? How can we live life to the full?

Do the things you haven’t done before. Things you really like to do. An interest, a hobby, a sport, a recreational activity, a business. Anything.

Don’t hold back. Kung hindi mo naman ikapapahamak, go for it. Wag mong isipin na huli na ang lahat. Na matanda kana. It ain’t over until it’s over. Habang may buhay may pag asa ang lahat.

Wag munang isipin ang iisipin ng iba. Graduate from living under the opinion of others. What is important is what you desire to do and what will make you happy in the process.

You can still try.

Lastly, livelife to the full as you allow God to rule and reign in your life. Yung iba kasi, akala parin haggang ngayon, si God killjoy. On the contrary, he desires our happiness. Ang gusto niya mag enjoy tayo sa buhay natin. But real joy and peace is found in having a personal relationship with his Son Jesus Christ.

When people accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour, they make him their shepherd, their counselor, their Lord, their king.

We begin to discover a new life that is happy because of Jesus.

Don’t hold back.

Enjoy your life. Live life to the full. That’s what God wants for you.

Make this your prayer today:

Dear heavenly Father, i thank you for my life. The life i live today is a gift from you. Though i am not deserving of your blessings, still, you continue to shower me with so much. Today i choose  not to complain about my life. I choose to be thankful, to be grateful, to praise you with all of my strength. Be with me today Lord and help me to live my life to the full. To not hold back. To be with you all the days of my life. I pray all of these things, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, in Jesus name, amen.

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ROMAN GUEVARA

Daily Inspiration

"The Reason Jesus Came"

Luke 19:10

For the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost"

One of the most sought after tv series from the US, is the plane crashing, trapped in an island mystery, LOST.

I’ve been a fan of many tv hits from the States since the 80’s.  From soaps like Dynasty, Falcon Crest, Knots Landing, Santa Barbara, to action genres like Knight Rider, Airwolf, Streethawk, Magnum P.I., and comedy shows like the Cosby Show, Golden Girls, Three’s A Company, and the list goes on and on.

And now, in this new millenium, i’ve managed to keep myself updated with some of the latest craze to hit the new generation.

Heroes, Prison Break, 24, House, and now LOST.

Bakit ba nagclick ang LOST? Marami sigurong puwedeng banggitin na dahilan. Pero, tiyak, isa na jan, marami sigurong nakakarelate.

Meaning, marami kasi sa mundong ito, LOST.

Hindi lang inaamin, pero, lito. Hindi alam saan patutungo.

It’s  comforting to know, that that is exactly the reason why Jesus came to this earth.

He came to seek and save the lost.

One of my favorite songs is the song "Lord I lift your name on high". It goes like this.

"you came from heaven to earth, to show the way, from the earth to the cross, my debt to pay, from the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky, Lord I lift your name on high."

He came so that we might be saved.

Saved from what? From going to hell, and from living a life like hell, while living on the earth. 

He came so that we might find the right path to life.

Napakaraming option ng tao ngayon, lalo na sa pananampalataya o relihiyon. It is an advantage as well as a disadvantage that modern technological advances has brought about easy access to all kinds of knowledge.

However, it’s not how much who know. It’s knowing the right thing. Living the right path.

Kaya tuloy siguro patok ang tv series na LOST, kasi, maraming LOST ngayon.

Jesus came to change all that. He came so that we might have the right direction in life. A life that is committed to him. A life that is blessed by God. A life that makes  a difference.

Make this your prayer today:

God our father in heaven, thank you for making me the way i am. I know now that you have a purpose for my life. That i have a destiny to fulfill. I come to you LOrd once again, seeking your face, asking for forgiveness for all my sins. I further ask you Lord to make me whole. To make me faithful. To make me aware of your will and purposes for my life. Grant me the right path. The right direction. Steer me away from all evil, and guide me to the way of righteousness. I pray all these things, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, in Jesus name, amen

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ROMAN GUEVARA

DAILY INSPIRATION

"The Family Provider"

1 Timothy 5:8

If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Family is important. And becoming a believer in Jesus Christ makes it even more.

What does it mean to provide for the family?

It can mean any of the following:

First, to provide financially.

Kaya nga marami ang nakapila sa Western Union at ATM pag 15th and 30th of the month, kasi nag aabang sa padala ng mga masisipag at mapagmahal na family members na nag papadala sa kanila.

Sa kagustuhan nating maibigay ang pangangailangang pinansyal ng ating mga mahal sa buhay, e, titiisin natin ang hirap at lungkot na dulot ng pagtatrabaho sa ibang bansa.

Second, to provide for material needs.

Hindi man pera ang ipadala o iabot, a person is still considered a "the family provider", when he or she provides for the material needs of his loved ones.

Hindi man cash, pero, pagkain, clothing, cellfone, laptop, kotse, at kung ano ano pa.

Meron kasing mga tao na sadyang hindi nagbibigay ng cash for specific reasons, and instead, continues to provide by giving material requirements for daily living. Provider din yon.

Yun nga lang, minsan, wish nung mga inaabutan, e, cash na lang. E, sorry ka. Kung material item ang binigay, kung siya na ang bumili para sayo, e, mag thank you ka pa din. Buti nga meron!

Third, providing education.

Yung nagpapaaral. Nagpapadala ng tuition fee. That when someone sends you to study in an academic institution, that’s provision.

Sabi nga nila, yan ang isa sa pinakamagandang puwedeng ipamana ng magulang sa anak.

Kasi yung pera, meron ngayon, bukas wala. Yung pera kahit gaano karami, mabilis ding maubos. Pag ginamit, e, para kang nagbukas ng gripo ng tubig, dirediretso sa kitchen sink. Ubos agad.

Pero yung education, pag yan ang prinovide to people, hanggang pagtanda na niya yan, kahit wala na tayong lahat, he will still reap the benefits of our kindness.

Fourth, when we provide guidance.

Pag pinagsasabihan ang mga mahal sa buhay kung ano ang tama at mali. Yan ay provision

Bagamamt, nakasisiguro ako, hindi iyan ang number one request sa atin ng mga tao, but nonetheless, important. Lalo na sa panahon na ito, na maraming klase ng deception sa buhay, giving the right advice, guiding people to the right path, maybe is as important as saving ones life from immediate harm.

Fifth, when we provide protection.

Kailangan na natin niyan ngayon. In this new age of global terrorism, gusto mo makatiyak na ligtas ang iyong mga mahal sa buhay sa kapahamakan.

Kaya we do our best to provide the best and safest living conditions. Bagamat napakahirap naman na maging tiyak na sa lahat ng oras, ligtas ang ating mahal sa buhay, still, for our sakes perhaps, we will do our best, so that they will be safer.

Sixth, love.

Minsan, pag nakakabigay ang isang tao ng pera, material needs, and all the others that were mentioned, akala natin "provider" na talaga tayo.

True enough.

However, iba parin ang love.

Sabi nung iba, hindi lang naman nabubuhay ang tao sa pagibig at pagmamahal. Pano na pag gutom na tayo pare pareho?

Again, true.

Kaso nga lang, para saan ang lahat ng hirap at lungkot na nararanasan natin sa pagkita ng pera, kung hindi naman siya ginagawa because and through love?

Dapat maipaabot natin sa ating mga mahal sa buhay ang ating pagmamahal sa kanila.

Call them up. Text them. Email them. Talk to them through web cam, and just simply say, "Love you". Sometimes, this counts more, than all the material provisions put together.

Finally, seventh, spiritual provision.

The bible tells us that man does not live by bread alone but from every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. What profit does it to a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul?

Wag tayong mawalan ng pag asa na lubos na makakakilala sa Panginoon ang ating mga mahal sa buhay.

The bible promises it. Believe in the LOrd  Jesus, and you and your household will be saved.

If you are a parent, the best pamana for your kids is spiritual provision. Na mamulat mo sila na merong banal na pagkatakot sa Diyos.

If you have friends, a great gift, would be to pray for them, to lead them to Jesus Christ.

Are you a "family provider"?

Keep it up, God sees what you do, he will bless you for blessing others.

Make this your prayer for today:

Praise your most holy name O God. Today i thank you that i can provide for my family. Teach me to enjoy doing this. Forgive me for the times that i complain for the many requests of my family members. Help me to see the beauty and relavance of blessing others. As i come to you today in prayer, i commit my love ones to you. Wherever they are on this earth, i ask today, bless them. To you i bring back all the honor and all the glory, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, in Jesus name, amen.

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ROMAN GUEVARA

Daily Inspiration

"A Gift Suggestion"

Numbers 6:22-26

The Lord said to Moses, "Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: ‘"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord makes his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."’

I love receiving gifts. But not to sound too corny, i would have to admit, i love giving gifts more.  I think i got that from my parents, my mom and dad, coz, they’ve been very generous to others through the years, specially to those who are serving in God’s ministry. I see that in my brother too. My kuya rommel. His very generous and unselfish.

Sabi nga nila, masarap ang nabibigyan. Ngunit, sabi naman ng iba, mas masarap ang nagbibigay. Me panahon na tayo ang inaabutan. Rineregaluhan. Mamaya magugulat na lang tayo, kasi, bukod sa wala ng nagaabot sa atin, e, tayo na ang punong abala para magabot, mag regalo sa iba.

I still remember way back in 1999. It was my first year sa kaunaunahang kong employment. It was christmas season, and i just received my salary for the month, my 13th month pay, plus an extra christmas bonus. Needless to say, tiba tiba ako nun sa blessings.

Ewan ko ba, parents ko kasi, ang unang instinct ko tuloy, e, mag regalo ng magregalo. Na mag Santa Claus, sa mga ka opisina, pinsan, pamangkin, tito, tita, parents, friends, and the list went on and on.

Hindi nga ako mapakali at magkanda uga uga sa pamimili kasi gusto ko personalized ang gift buying. It was a christmas to remember!

Pero ngayon, mejo nag mellow na ako sa ganyang luho. Nagreregalo pa din, pero, wiser na!

Minsan ba napre pressure ka pagdating sa gift giving?

Minsan ba nalulungkot ka kasi wala ka nang maibigay?

Do want to give meaningful gifts to family and friends?

If so, don’t be too depressed.

Our God is a gift giving God. And one gift that we could give to loved ones during special occasions like Christmas, Birthdays, Weddings, Anniversaries, and other special events, is the gift of blessing others with God’s blessing.

Maraming paraan upang maibahagi ang gift na ito sa iba at a very reasonable expense.

First, text messaging. Send a Quote, a verse, a thought, a greeting. Second, emails and social website messagin like friendster, multiply, facebook, myspace, christianster. Para kana ding sumusulat ng love letter to loved ones. And then of course prayers. Either personally, pag nagkita kayo, o dinaman kaya through the fone or webcam.

Marami pa tayong pwedeng iregalo sa kapwa. Pag me cash, why not? Pag me mabili kang gift item, go ahead.

But here is a gift suggestion, say to people "The LOrd Bless You and Keep You"

Mean it. Be sincere. Have faith, that when you declare it to others, it will trully come to pass.

Make this your prayer today:

Dear God in heaven, thank you because you gave us the greatest gift of all. You gave us your son Jesus Christ for the salvation of our souls. Today i remember your everlasting kindness and steadfast love. And i ask of you that you would teach me to be more like you in giving and generosity. I surrender to you my selfishness, my insecurities, my pride. Help me Lord to become genuinely loving and caring of others. Empower me, put faith in my heart and anointing to my lips. May every word that will proceed out of my mouth, be that of praise and blessing. Be glorified and magnified O God. I pray all these things in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, in Jesus name, amen.

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ROMAN GUEVARA

Daily Inspiration

"Pray and Work"

2 Thessalonians 3:6-12

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.

We did this, not because we do not have right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat.

One of the things that i will never forget from my alma mater, San Beda College Manila, is the maxim "Ora et Labora", which means Pray and Work.

Itunuturo sa atin ng bibliya ang kahalagahan ng malalim na pananampalataya sa Diyos, pati na rin ang tamang paraan ng pamumuhay dito sa lupa.

The bible teaches us many things.

It teaches us to have faith in God. In his son Jesus Christ. To have a growing personal relationship with him. To hear and obey God’s word. To be faithful in serving and giving. To worship. To pray.

All of that and much more is taught to the believer so that his faith would become strong and effective.

But faith without works  is dead.

Hindi naman puwede puro prayer lang. 

Maraming sincere at well meaning spiritual people ang unnecessarily poor and hungry. Sure, merong mga missionaries, ministry workers at Pastors, na dahil sa extraordinary circumstances, cannot labor for secular business or employment, because of the need to concentrate on ministry duties. They are but the exception. Hindi sila pababayaan ni Lord.

However, yung iba naman, abuso. Kaya nga ata nag ministry, kasi, tamad. Ayaw lang magbanat ng buto. Kaya ayun, nabubuhay sa pag asa sa iba.

Sabi ng verses na binasa natin, sila ngang mangangaral ng salita ng Diyos, karapat dapat na pagpalain ng kanilang mga sinasakupan, e hindi umasa. Bagkus, ipinakita pa nila sa kanilang kongregasyon ang magandang example. They worked for the food that they will eat.

Two things we can see here.

First, if you have workers in the church dedicated to the ministry full-time, for example church staff, musician, bible study teacher, and specially the Pastor, we should  support them. Wag na natin antayin na magmakaawa pa sila para sila ay ating abutan.

For starters, maging faithful ka lang sa pagbigay ng tithes and offering mo monthly, e malaking bagay na. Yung iba kasi, struggle pa din ito. Maraming dahilan, excuses, justification, why they don’t give their tithes to the church. But pray to God to make this clearer to you because not only is this important, not only is this obedience to God, but also, to some extent the means by which christian ministries can  continue serving us.

Furthermore, pag me extra ka naman, anu ba naman na alamin mo ang pangangailangan ng inyong ministry leaders so that they could thrive in doing God’s work. Yes, hindi sila pababayaan ni Lord. Kaso nga lang, pano kung isa ka pala sa instrument ni God to bless them, and you are not doing your part?

Kaya nga, second lesson, is that, workers of God’s ministry should not depend on others either. Gayahin natin ang example na ipinakita sa atin ng mga mangangaral na nagsulat nito. They labored. They worked. They did not depend on others to notice and bless them.

Sa totoo lang, karapatdapat lang silang pagpalain ng kanilang mga miyembro. Kaso sabi nga nila, they wanted to show them a good example. And they did.

Siguro nung panahon nila, maraming tamad. Kaya kinailangan turuan ng ganitong leksiyon.

As we grow in our faith, let us strive to become economically sufficient, so that we can support financially the work of the kingdom of God, as well as the workers, the teachers, the musicians, the pastors, who make this their commitment in life. Furthermore, let us become responsible so that we don’t have to beg and depend on others. Nakakawala ng  dignidad ang pag asa ng kabuhayan sa iba.

Kung sa kasalukuyan, ganyan ang kalagayan mo, magpray ka ke God na makalaya ka sa dependence on others. Furthermore, gaya ng lesson natin today, Pray and WORK. Kung meron naman sayo umaasa unnecessarily, unti unti mo ding turuan ng self-sufficiency. Sabi nga "teach a man to fish". Pero wag mu din naman bibiglain. Baka bukas e wala nang kainin. Patiently teach others to become self-sufficient. Pero yung ministry, yung Church, yung workers ng Church Ministry, wag natin silang pabayaan. Let us support them wholeheartedly and give to God’s work with a cheerfull heart.

Make this prayer your prayer for today:

Dear heavenly Father, thank you for this wonderful day. Thank you for the joy and peace of heart and mind. I come to you Lord once again in all humility, seeking your face, seeking your will for my life. Wash me Lord of my sins and make me worthy to be in your most holy presence. Tulungan mo po ako Panginoon na lubos na maunawaan ang inyong mga salita para sa araw na ito. Tulungan mo ako na maging matagumpay sa mga struggles ko, lalong lalo na sa pagsunod sa inyong mga kautusan. Deepen my faith. Help me to grow in Prayer. Help me to overcome laziness. Teach me the value of work. Give me the patience, the strength, the motivation to go on building a responsible life. For me, for my loved ones, for the Church, and for your glory. I pray all these things, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In Jesus mighty name, amen.

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ROMAN GUEVARA

Daily Inspiration

"The two-edged sword"

Hebrews 4:12-13

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

The Bible compares the word of God to many things. In this particular passage of scripture, it’s being compared to a double-edged sword.

What does it mean for the word of God to be two-edged?

It means that the word of God is capable to do two things.

First, it has the power to comfort.

Maraming verses sa bibliya na bagay na bagay sa mga taong maraming kabigatan. Para sa mga taong nakakaranas ng hirap, pasakit, at iba’t-ibang klaseng pagsubok.

Hindi manhid ang Diyos sa ating mga daladalahin. In fact, their is a word of God for every form of suffering that we are experiencing.

Nung araw, nauso ang pag memorize ng mga memory verses from the bible. It was encouraged to be done by students as as means to fight and overcome various temptations.

Walang masama at sa ikabubuti pa nga natin na tayo din ay mag memorize ng verses from the bible. Hindi lang para sa ating personal comfort. But also so that we could encourage others who are being afflicted by some form of suffering.

Secondly, the word of God is like a two-edged sword because it has the power to afflict.

What does that mean?

Ibig sabihin, pag kailangan, minsan ang dating ng word of God sa atin ay rebuke, correction, teaching. 

Madalas pag ganito ang word of God, nakakaramdam tayo ng hapdi, uneasiness, and some form of discomfort. Minsan pa nga, depende na din kasi sa husay at effectiveness ng delivery, the word of God as a sword, can be rattling and sometimes, offensive.

Yes, offensive.

At hindi naman dahil sa pangit ang delivery (meron ding offensive delivery of course). Offensive kasi God means for us to be awakened from our slumber.

Minsan kasi, masyado tayong nagiging comfortable, maging sa kasalanan. Ikinapapahamak na pala natin without us knowing.

That is why God sends his word precisely to offend. To rattle. To shake. To rebuke. To correct.

This is not always pleasant. Pero ganyan tayo kamahal ni LOrd. At the right time, he always sends the right word.

The word of God is like a two-edged sword because it has the power to comfort the afflicted, and to afflict the comfortable.

Make this prayer your prayer today:

Lord God in heaven, thank you for this beautiful day. Thank you Lord for making it more meaningful through my personal reading of your words. Enable me today, to realize how much you love me. Tulungan niyo po ako sa mga oras na ako ay mahina. During temptations and struggles. I receive by faith healing and provision for my heart, mind, and spirit. But i also pray LOrd that you make me humble and accepting of correction. Even at times, rebuke. I receive your word wholeheartedly, in the name of Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In Jesus name amen.

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