roman guevara

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.