HIS Grace in October: Bringing it to God

Oct 11, 2011

My nephew is admitted in East Avenue Hospital and stays there until Oct 20. During his stay, he changes, he is now weaker and he cannot recognize his surroundings. He is standing and grabbing something, walking, jumping - in other words he just can't bear the pain that he is experiencing. Maybe because, all of his strength is focusing on fighting the pain, he doesn't have the consciousness to eat and so the doctors decided to feed him thru needles (feeding him in his blood veins).

He went on CT Angiogram and the result shows that the ruptured vein in his brain is deep and only an Endovascular Surgeon can do the procedure, meaning it is a critical operation that a specialized surgeon is needed. The challenge is that there are only 2 EndoSurgeons in the Philippines and there is a small chance that my nephew can have the availability of these two surgeons. Our estimate is that my nephew will wait for a minimum of 1 month to be operated, and if that is so, not only that my nephew will keep on bearing the pain for a month or so but also the hospital cost will rise.

The other challenge is the expensive surgeon fee and the cost of the operation which is estimated to be around P600,000. Estimated overall cost will be around P700,000 including hospital stay, medicines and other charges. The money is needed as soon as possible. My brother is only a labourer and earning a minimum wage, how could he produce this kind of money? We, his immediate family are not that rich either and our resources to help him are also limited. The situation is not to our own now, we need to look up and continue asking the One who controls it all. Our family needs to continually look to God and bring it to Him in prayer.

In our prayer we hold to this…

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

1 Kings 8:28

Yet give attention to your servant's prayer and his plea for mercy, O LORD my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day.

And you know what God did? I will share it with you next time…

HIS Grace in October: Calling The Name of The Lord

Oct 5, 2011 - the date when I got a call from my mother telling me the news that my nephew has a severe headache of his life. My elder brother who was very worried on that time managed to bring his son to a nearby hospital. My nephew didn't know what to do while experiencing an excruciating pain in his lifetime - felt helpless...and just shouted - "Help me Lord!"

Romans 10:11-13

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹¹ For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”^[a] 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. ¹³ For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”^[b

In that very instant, when my nephew called the name of the Lord, I strongly believe that he is sincere in his heart, even though he doesn't have a close relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ yet. At that very moment, when he called the name of the Lord, God provided HIS compassion, mercy and grace to my nephew and triggers the goodness that happened afterwards (which I will write in the next series about this topic). Why do I say in that very instant? Well, because the Lord promises that HE will reveal himself and never put to shame those who call HIS name. God will also make sure that the one who called HIS name will come into the decision point of accepting HIS Son. That HE will convict that he is a sinner and he needs Jesus Christ as his God and Savior.

Do you have that inkling to know God? God is revealed through Jesus. Jesus is the exact representation of God. Do you want a life changing decision?
Go to this link: http://www.navigators.org/us/resources/illustrations/items/bridge


...till next time.

San Miguel Corp and Benham Rise – are these God’s answer to our prayers?

Seems like God is starting to move HIS mighty hand, would it be that these events are HIS answers to our prayers?

Observation #1: San Miguel Corporation bought Petron, ExxonMobil and the potential undersea plateau Benham rise which is rich in natural gas and even oil. Would it be that God is providing enough resources, capital and experience to San Miguel Corporation in terms of energy management and exploration so that HE can use the conglomerate to mine the Benham rise? Imagine the future; San Miguel Corporation will be the same with Shell, BP, Caltex and the other bigger players in the industry. Imagine a 100% (I might not correct on this, it might be 90% or lower than that, please comment to correct me) Filipino brand as one of the biggest energy exporter.

Observation #2: We are now feeling the shift of economy. The economy is shifting from North to South and from West to East. China is now awake and their presence in the world economically is now felt. The good thing about this is that they are investing in our country. Sooner or later, there are more Asian companies that will rise. Because of Asian interconnected economies, there are more Filipino companies that will rise too and invest to nearby countries. Isn’t it that this is God’s hand working in this part of the globe to our advantage?

Observation #3: Our President, PNoy is serious and determined to clean the Philippines from corruption. PNoy is starting to expose corrupt practices in the government. Would it be that God’s hand is also on this? Although our country will attract investments and generate more jobs, if a big percentage of our tax will go to someone else’s pocket and will not cycle back to the improvement of our infrastructures, education, health and other key areas in the government – still – our progress is slow or the same. Isn’t it that this is God’s hand working on our government?

The three above are observations and I don’t know if they will happen. God is the only one Almighty and All-knowing. Though, there is one sure thing that I do know – God answers prayers.

Matthew 7:9-11

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁹ Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?¹¹ If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! 

So my brothers and sisters in Christ, let’s continue praying incessantly. Let’s go to the throne of God and pray that HE will heal and bless the Philippines. Only God can change our country.

2 Chronicles 7:14

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁴ if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Still curious? Visit Joel Rosenberg’s blog – he is analyzing current events based in Scriptures.

You are really curious?  How about knowing the bridge of life?

…till next time.

Sin Sensitivity

John 8:7 "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her"

Matthew 7:1 "Judge not, that ye be not judged"

I am not saying all but we (yes, that’s includes me!) have this tendency in criticizing both believers of Christ and non-believers about their major visible sins. And we forgot to check ourselves for “cute” sins. I will use cute because sometimes we rationalize that those minimal sins or non-visible sins on our lives are cute that we don’t confront them but instead tolerate them.

The book Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges explains the sins that we tolerate. This is a good reading for an individual and a good material for group study. In this book, Jerry Bridges wrote:

The motivation for this book stems from a growing conviction that those of us whom I call conservative evangelicals may have become preoccupied with some of the major sins of society around us that we have lost sight of the need to deal with our own more “refined” or subtle sins.

While seeking to address these “respectable” sins, however, I also want this to be a book of hope. We are never to wallow hopelessly in our sins. Rather, we are to believe the gospel through which God has dealt with both the guilt of our sin and its dominion over us.

The gospel, though, is only for sinners, for those who recognize their need of it. Many Christians think of the gospel as only for unbelievers. Once we trust in Christ, so the thinking goes, we no longer need the gospel. But, as I seek to bring our in this book, the gospel is a vital gift from God not only for our salvation but also to enable us to deal with the ongoing activity of sin in our lives. So we still need the gospel every day.

Respectable Sins cover the most common sins that we tolerate such as:

• ·         Ungodliness
• ·         Anxiety and Frustration
• ·         Discontentment
• ·         Unthankfulness
• ·         Pride
• ·         Selfishness
• ·         Lack of Self-Control
• ·         Impatience and Irritability
• ·         Anger
• ·         The weeds of Anger
• ·         Judmentalism
• ·         Envy, Jealousy, and Related Sins
• ·         Sins of the Tongue
• ·         Worldliness

Daddy!

³⁶ And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”   

(Mark 14:36, New King James Version)

Jumping high with my children

"Abba", an endearing term, intimate in Aramaic term that is equivalent to the English word "Daddy". Jesus called His Father "Abba", crying out, reaching out to God the Father intimately. Jesus shows us what we should do when talking to God in prayer; we will call-out to God "Abba". Let us also be intimate and dependent to God.

This is also how we encourage our children to come to us.  Are you the father who is passive? Gadgets, hobbies and career are much more important that your children? God modelled to us how to be "listeners". Open your space to be intimate with your children and guide them to their adulthood that they will depend on you for source of godly counsel. 

How many times your children call you daddy today? I suggest take that call of your children seriously. Don't ignore it, pay attention to it.

Affirmations

When was the last time you gave affirmation to your children? Affirming our children is a Biblical method of parenting. It will boost our children's confidence and if rooted in Christ it will surely boost their dependence on God. Not only their dependency on God but on how they view themselves and reverence God as their Father. Make affirmation your tool to encourage your children to do the right things for God. Here are some advise:


1.) Put terms of endearment in your family. Like for me, I call my son, "The Apple of My Eye" and my daughter as "Darling". Terms of endearment touches the heart of our children, it goes to their very soul. Besides, God calls us also in many terms of endearment.
 ¹ But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob,
      And He who formed you, O Israel:

      “ Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
      I have called you by your name;
      You are Mine.        (Isaiah 43:1, New King James Version)


 ⁸ For thus says the LORD of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. (Zechariah 2:8, New King James Version)


 ⁶ “For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. (Deuteronomy 7:6, New King James Version

2.) Initiate the terms of endearment. God initiated by calling us encouraging names where HIS love for us is sealed. Do this also to your children. Better yet, start it immediately if you haven't

 ¹⁷ And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17, New King James Version)

3.) Let them know that whatever they will do, your love for them will not tarnish. They will not be condemned if they made mistakes. Besides, God never condemned us and we shouldn't be condemning our children when they make mistakes. 
 ¹ There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1, New King James Version)

Me with "The Apple of My Eye" and my "Darling"

 

Boost Your Immune System

 ⁷ to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. (2 Peter 1:7, New King James Version)
 ¹⁰ Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; (Romans 12:10, New King James Version)
 ³ Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. (1 Corinthians 7:3, New King James Version)

It has been said that affections improve health and I do believe this because this is Biblical. I also witness how affections improve or even boost my wife, me and my children's immune system. I remember when me and my wife are working at the same time and Ben was 2 years old  – most of the time Ben usually gets sick.

We saw the changes in his health especially his immune system getting better and stronger when my wife stopped working and focus solely on him. I will talk about our experiences and the benefits to the family when the wife stays home in my future blogs. For the meantime, let's talk about affections J


I know you will agree with me, especially to fathers that we have headaches, I mean literal headaches. We have headaches regularly. This kind of physical headache has another name which is migraine. I usually have migraine when I do have stressful work, but I thank God for the affections of my family that whenever it happens, all I have to do is to hug and kiss my wife and my kids then gradually the pain will go away. I don't know the reason behind this, what I only know is that being affectionate is Biblical.



I remember one day that I decided to nap because of migraine, and my nap is disturbed by someone. She disturbed me by kissing me too many times in the cheek. Still sleepy, I opened my eyes happily to see who this person is. Getting back on my consciousness, the hazy smiling little face became clearer and clearer and lo and behold - it was my daughter. The affectionate kiss and the warm smile of my dearest daughter boost my immune system and made my migraine gradually flew away.



I encourage you to make your home affection rich. Some of my advise to boost your family immune systems are:

My daughter playfully hiding under the pillows.

1. Hug and kiss your spouse regularly in front of your children
   
2. Kiss your children regularly and kiss them hard on the cheek. Kiss them on the cheek, like there is no tomorrow. Do this while they are still young.
   
3. Wrestle with them, play with them. Play with their favourite plays like: hide and seek, piggy backing, rolling on the floor, jumping (with extra care). Play the customized game that they will invent. I assure you; you will enjoy it and will boost your immune system. As for me, the customized game that I play with my children is kung-fu J
   

…till next time.