The Day Impossible Has Been Denied

Have you ever went through some predicament that seemed there's no way out?

A financial debt too large you are unable to pay.

A serious disease declared as incurable.

You have one thing in mind as a conclusion: IMPOSSIBLE.

Have you ever prayed but God seemed to be silent—for more than 400 years? Exaggeration? No. That's what actually Israel felt.

From the last prophecy spoken about the coming Messiah—the Savior; a political liberator, they thought, God did not only seemed to be silent. He is. If you are of Israel (or even if you don't), you would have asked, "LORD, aren't we the  people You have chosen—the apple of Your eye? Didn't You found favor in our forefathers Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David? Now, O LORD, why do You keep silent?" But the heavens were not heard of an answer. 

Not until that the time was right, God answered His promise. Miraculum: The Day Impossible Has Been Denied.

Miracles after miracles have happened on the first Christmas. Unusuals, I may say. And it all boils down to one word: FULFILLMENT. Everything happened to fulfill God's promises. "Oh, such a great delay, God," you would say. But God is neither early nor too late. He is just in time.

1. Unexpectant Parents

Let's begin with these pious, law-abiding saints, Zac and Beth. Yet despite their righteousness, they have suffered the disappointment of barrenness, a condition Elizabeth will later refer to as a disgrace. Elizabeth's feelings are perfectly understandable, but to be barren is not an indication of the presence of sin or of condemnation; it may be an opportunity for blessing, whether God grants a child late in life or allows a couple to pursue other opportunities of service. Until the day Zac was given the opportunity to offer incense before the presence of God in His temple. The angel Gabriel told him of the fulfillment of God's prophecy, that the "voice calling out in the wilderness" who will "prepare the way of the Lord" was to be their baby boy to be born. Would you blame him for asking, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” But who would also limit God? Miraculum. It was the day impossible has been denied.

2. Unnatural Process

God is not yet finished with His surprises. Now to this young girl pledged to be married by a carpenter named Joseph. Her name was Mary. What does her name means? Rebellion. "Ah, another impossible. God would allow His son be born of a woman whose name means, "rebellion"? But God did. He rebelled against what's natural. A woman cannot bear child unless her husband made love with her. Now here's another impossible. Mary and Joseph are still pledged to be married. Mary kept herself pure until the day of their wedding, but now, she is to conceive a child. Joseph was about to give Mary up, but he was warned in a dream that the baby to be born is of the Holy Spirit. Mary will be the surrogate mother of the Son of God in order that the promise of God be fulfilled. Miraculum. It was the day impossible has been denied.

3. Uneasy Adversities

Sounds familiar, eh? When God makes a promise and that He assured you that He will fulfill it, we can expect oppositions and adversities along the way. 

a. The census. Mary is in her last month of conception and Joseph may have expected that the child be born in Jerusalem. But a census has been decreed. Each one has to go back to their home town to be registered. If not, they shall serve as prisoners under the Roman rule. Hassle. But they chose to obey. The prophecy has been fulfilled. The Messiah will be born in Bethlehem.

b. The stable. They arrived at Bethlehem at last. But the innkeepers crossed their arms and shook their heads. There was no more room. And the baby was about to come out! No more choice but the stable. The King of kings was not in a royal crib at David's palace, but in a lowly stable lying in a manger.

c. The Insecure King Herod. He wanted to remain on the throne, whatever it takes. Anyone who wants to take his place must be put to death. Here's the modus: convince the Magi to return and report the location of a child so that "he may worship him too". Just a front act. But he wanted the "baby king" out. Mary and Joseph were told to flee for Egypt that night, as the Magi went another route. "What? Egypt? Isn't that the land you have rescued us from? Is there some other place, LORD?" Joseph may have complained, but they obeyed. And that night, a massacre has took place. And it has been fulfilled what was told of the prophet.

d. Archelaus. They are about to return to Israel now.  But here comes another adversity, Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod. And they have to settle in Galilee in a town called Nazareth. “What is that again? Nazareth? Can anything good come of it?” you would probably say when you know that place’s background. The character of Nazareth was proverbially bad. To be a Galilean or a Nazarene was an expression of decided contempt, John 7:52. But God was never limited by the naturals, nor by adversities, “so was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.”

4. Undeserving Visitors.

            The good news of the coming Messiah may have been known by their neighbors, next door; or probably announced by a royal herald announcing a royal banquet. But God mind it to be a humbly coming. It was told to the lowly shepherds keeping their sheep at night. Being a shepherd was the most lowly job during that time. But God chose them to be the first witnesses of the coming of the Savior, announced not by an earthly kingdom herald by heavenly hosts singing, “Gloria in Excelsis Deo!”

            Another “impossible-denied” here in the first Christmas story was the visitation of the Magi. They were wise as it has been told. But who cares if a king from a distant country been born? And shall they care to travel miles just to pay Him honor? But they did.

            Some think they are three, as being suggested by their gifts, but I believe there is perhaps a battalion of them. Just three persons may not be able to disturb the town, nor the king himself. Nevertheless, their question was Intriguing. “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” You may say that it is a wise move to begin searching in the king’s palace, where kings and royalties are actually born.  But God meant these strangers and foreigners witness the coming of the Messiah, not on Herod's palace in Jerusalem, but in Bethlehem's stable, lying in a manger. Impossible? Well, that was the day impossible has been denied.

            From my reflections of the story of the first Christmas, I began to realize that God is never limited nor intimidated by those we call “impossibilities.” As Burk Parsons put it, “We run to God in the midst of a trial only to learn that He was the one who sent the trial that we might run to Him.” 

Our God never knows the word IMPOSSIBLE. As is has been told, “Nothing is impossible with God.” They may seem setbacks, but those are only God’s setups so He can say, “I am able. I AM.”  

The ART of Moving On

Bakasyon naman. Dahil wala kang magawa sa bahay ninyo, naisipan mo munang maglakad-lakad. Mga ilang buwan na din mula nang magawa mo ito. At tulad ng iyong mga nakikita noon, maraming mag-partners ang namamasyal. Ngunit hindi kagaya noon, mag-isa ka na lamang habang pinagmamasdan sila.

Bigla kang nagutom at napag-isip-isip na kumain muna... sa paborito ninyong fastfood. At dahil punuan, wala kang choice kundi ang maupo sa tabi ng dalawang partners na sweet na sweet at nagsusubuan pa ng fries na isinawsaw pa sa chocolate sundae. Di mo na kinaya ang pait, ipinatake-out mo na lamang.

Pag-uwi ng bahay, binuksan ang FB at tumambad sa iyong news feed ang picture ng iyong ex kasama ang bago niyang partner, kasama ang barkada niya na naging ka-close mo din noong kayo pa. Sobrang Ouch baby. Unfriend and block!

"Torture sa marami ang pagmo-move on dahil sa magagandang memories na mahirap ipagpag mula sa utak mo... You have been attached emotionally. Your souls

have been cleaved together that you find separation as ripping your whole personality apart.

Isang hindi maiiwasang epekto ng paghihiwalay ay ang damdaming "nalugi". Feeling mo

ninakawan ka ng napakaraming oras, emosyon at pera dahil sa relasyong tumagal ngunit wala rin palang patutunguhan."—from Ronald Molmisa on "LOVESTRUCK: Singles Edition"   

Magpakatotoo na tayo, mga kapatid. Walang madali sa pagmu-move on. Pilitin mo mang itago nang makailang ulit. ang iyong nararamdaman sa harap ng iba, hinding-hindi mo magagawang maisahan ang iyong sarili. It HURTS you know? Parang savings sa bankong biglang nagsara o nilooban. Naglaho na lang bigla. Gaano mo man iyakan at panghinayangan, wala na. Hinding-hindi mo na ito maibabalik pa. Magawa mo man, hindi na ito katulad ng dati sa halaga at kalidad.

Kaakibat ng pagkawala ng iyong minamahal ay (tila) pagkawala rin ng isang malaking bahagi sa iyong pagkatao. Kahit papano, pinaglaanan mo ito ng pera, oras, lakas at emosyon. Gaano pa man kahirap, kinakailangan mong mag-adjust sa iyong bagong relationship status. Welcome to the Singles' Club, kapatid! Hindi ka nag-iisa. May karamay ka at naiintindihan kita.

Maka-ilang ulit na din akong pumasok sa iba-ibang relasyon (wow, pogi!) Sabihin niyo nang hindi normal o karaniwan sa isang lalaki (siguro kung meron man, iilan lang at sandali lang), ang umiyak after the break-up, pero ibahin niyo ako, lahat ng naging break-ups ko ay iniyakan ko't pinanghinayangan. Hindi man ako palabigay (kung may special occassions lang), very expressive naman ako sa pagpapahayag ng aking nararamdaman sa aking mga naging kapartner. I used to give love letters aside from midnight-til-morning phonecalls and text messages. In this little way of my expression of love, buhos naman ang aking pagmamahal sa bawat isa sa kanila, gaano pa man kami tumagal.

Hindi ko na siguro kailangang idetalye pa isa-isa ang mga naging dahilan ng mga break-ups ko. I'll just speak of how I managed to move on from these tragic breakups I had. Eto ang ilan sa mga mga tips base sa aking karanasan:

1. WAG KANG MAGSINUNGALING SA SARILI MONG HINDI KA NASAKTAN. Hindi nalulunasan ang sugat/sakit na pilit itinatanggi/itinatago.

2. WAG KANG MANGHINAYANG UMIYAK. Iiyak mo lang yan hanggang magsawa ka. Gaya ng una, the more na pinipigil mong ilabas ang emosyon mo, the more kang masasaktan. masama din yan sa katawan. Also, being bitter will not make you any better. 

3. HINDI SOLUSYON ANG PAGPASOK ULI SA RELASYON/REBOUND RELATIONSHIPS. Inaamin ko, pagkakamali ko 'to noon. Take time na pagbulay-bulayan ang mga "what-went-wrongs" niyo. Pero hindi nangangahulugang may "the second time around". Ito ay para itama ang naging mga pagkakamali mo pagpasok mo uli ng relasyon. Pero again, hindi agad-agad.

4. DON'T ISOLATE YOURSELF. The more you do this, the more kang madedepress. alam kong mahirap. Make friends. At kung opposite sex, see them not as potential bf/gf, but as brothers/sisters in Christ. 

5. HAVE A BREAK. Kitkat ka muna, bro/sis. Kidding aside, keep yourself off from more stressing na mga bagay-bagay. Syempre, di nangangahulugang lumayas ka ng bahay. What I mean is, hangga't maari, wag mong pagurin ang sarili mo para madepress kang lalo. relax. Gracious si LORD. Di pa end of the world. Hanapin mo ang kalooban NIYA. Maging thankful ka, mas free kang maenjoy ang pagmamahal ng LORD kasi wala siyang magiging "kahati."

5. SEEK GODLY COUNSEL. Mas madali kang makakamove-on kung may kakausap sa'yo at gagabay para hindi maging stagnant ang spiritual life mo. 'Wag kung kani-kaninong Potio-Pilato lumapit at humingi nang advice na pagti-tripan ka pa habang nakikinig ang buong madla. maaring humingi ng payo sa parents mo, or kung di mo naman feel, lapitan ang mga leader ng bible study group mo or sa mentors or pastor mo. Tiyak makakahanap ka ng shoulder to cry on at ng mga biblical guides para maka get over.

6. RECALL GOD'S PROMISES AND HIS GOODNESS. Balik agad sa LORD bago ka pa makagawa ng (isa) pang kasalanan. Nag-fail man ang mga pangako ninyo sa isa't-isa, si God hindi kailanman nag-fail ang Kanyang mga pangako. Batid Niya ang iyong mga pag-iyak at pagluha. Maaring malungkot ka't nagdadalamhati, ngunit pangako Niya na lilipas din yan at darating ang kagalakan. He is "is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."  Sabi ni David, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (Psalms 56:8, 30:5b, 34;18, 73:26)

Let's pray, "Lord, alam niyo po ang sakit at kabigatang nararamdaman ko. Salamat po kasi kahit ganumpanan, nananatili ang Iyong pangako na palagi kang nandiyan at ikaw ang siyang kalakasan ko at comfort. Salamat din po na kasi sa maikling panahon ay binigyan Niyo po ako ng pagkakataong magmahal at mahalin. Hayaan niyo pong sa mga sandaling ito na mahanap muli ang aking sarili sa Iyo at ang makuntento sa lubos mong pagmamahal sa akin. Alisin Niyo po ang anumang kapaitan ng damdamin sa aking puso at bigyan ako ng pusong mapagpatawad. Iniaalay ko sa Iyo ang yugtong ito aking buhay. Maghari Ka at masunod ang nais mo. Sa Ngalan ng inyong Anak na aking pag-ibig, Amen."

Listen to this song by Israel Houghton--MOVING FORWARD

Somewhere Down the Road: The Jose Rizal and Seiko Usui (O Sei San) Love Story

"Those dreams of yours

Are shining on distant shores;

And if they're calling you away

I have no right to make you stay."

Somewhere Down the Road. Isa ito sa mga popular na love songs para sa mga dating magsing-irog na kailangang i-let go ang isa't-isa sa kadahilanang paghihiwalay ang tamang dapat gawin. Isinasalaysay sa awiting ito ang isang naglahaong pag-ibig habang ang isa'y hindi parin bumibitiw at umaasang sila'y magkakabalikan pang muli.

Marahil isa sa mga naappreciate kong lesson namin noong kinukuha ko pa lamang ang subject ko sa Buhay ni Rizal (although, nalagpasan ko lang talaga ito) ay ang kwento ng pag-iibigan nila ni Seiko Usui o mas kilala natin sa pangalang O Sei San.

Nagsimula ang istorya nang si Rizal ay naimbitahan ni Don Perez Caballero, kalihim ng Spanish Legation, na manirahan kasama niya noong February 1888 at siya'y na-offer-an ng isang posisyon sa nasabing legation at pinasasahuran ng P100 a month (malaking halaga na yon nung panahon nila). Lulan ng SS Oceanic mula Hong Kong, naglayag si Rizal patungong Japan.

Mga ilang araw mula ng dumating at manirahan si Rizal kasama si Perez Caballero sa Spanish Legation sa Japan (mula Yokohama, sa Osaka at Tokyo), tagsibol, napansin ni Rizal ang isang magandang Haponesang naparaan. Tila na-love-at-first-sight siya sa kagandahan ng dalaga at sa kaibig-ibig nitong mukha. nagsimulang magtanong-tanong si Rizal tungkol sa pangalan ng babaeng ito na nakabighani sa kanya. Hanggang sa nalaman niya mula sa hardinero na Seiko Usui ang pangalan nito, anak ng isang Samurai. Nang hapon ding yaon, inaya niyang maglakad-lakad si Seiko malapit sa legasyon. 

Dumaan ang mga araw at nahulog din ang loob ng Haponesa kay Rizal dahil sa katalasan ng isip nito at sa panghalina nito. Si Rizal ay 27 taong gulang habang si Seiko ay 23. Dahil hirap si Rizal sa wikang Hapon, madalas silang mag-usap sa wikang Ingles at Pranses. Mula noon, naging araw-araw na kung magkita ang dalawa at kanilang binibisita ang mga kawili-wiling lugar sa Tokyo. Si O Sei-San ang nagturo sa kanya ng wikang Hapon maging ang kultura ng kanilang bansa. Maituturing na isang ehemplo si O Sei San ng isang Haponesang mataas ang pinag-aralan.

Ang maikling (2 buwan) pananatili niya sa Japan ay napatunayang pinakamasasayang mga araw sa buhay ni Rizal sapagkat hindi lamang siya nabighani sa mga magagandang tanawin dito, bagkus, siya'y napa-ibig din kay O Sei San. Ngunit nang kailangan nang umalis ni Rizal, ay kailangan na din nilang tapusin ang kanilang pag-ibig. Lubhang ikinalungkot ni Rizal ang pangyayaring ito na kailangan niya nang mag-sayonara (goodbye sa wikang Hapon) kay O Sei-San. Nilisan ni Rizal ang Japan patungong San Francisco lulan ng English ship Belgic noong April 1888. Isang araw bago siya umalis, isinulat ni Rizal ang kanyang panghihinayang sa kanyang pag-alis at ang pangingulila niya sa pag-ibig ni O Sei San...

 “. . . O-Sei-san, sayonara, goodbye! I have spent a lovely golden month; I do not know if I will have another one like it in all my life. Love, money, friendship, esteem, privileges… no woman like you has ever loved me..no woman has made such sacrifices as you have...you shall never know what I still think of you, and that your image lives on in my memory..when shall I return to spend another divine afternoon like that in the temple of Meguro?..when will the sweet hours I  spent with you come back?...everything is at an end! Sayonara, goodbye!"

"And somewhere down the road
Our roads are gonna cross again
It doesn't really matter when
But somewhere down the road
I know that heart of yours
Will come to see
That you belong with me
Letting go is just another way to say
I'll always love you so."

Dahil sa tindi ng pagmamahal niya kay Rizal, lumipas pa ang 11 taon bago tuluyang naka-move on si O Sei San. Marahil dahil na din hindi naman nag-iwan si Rizal ng pangakong babalik siya sa Japan, o marahil ay natanggap na din niyang ang sakripisyo ng kanilang paghihiwalay ay upang magampanan ni Rizal ang kanyang adhikaing makitang malaya ang kanyang bayang Pilipinas, kaya rin nag-asawa na din siya ng ibang lalaki. Taong 1897, isang taon makalipas mamatay si Rizal sa Bagumbayan, nakilala niya ang isang Britong nagngangalang Alfred Charlton na naging guro ng Ingles sa Japan. Namatay si Charlton noong November 2, 1915 at naiwang balo si O Sei San. Marahil ay sa inspirasyong idinulot ni Rizal sa kanya kaya nagawa pang malagpasan ni O Sei San ang World War II bago siya namatay noong May 1, 1947 sa edad na 80.

Sources:

http://www.nhcp.gov.ph/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=708
http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=O_Sei_San

Lyrics Courtesy of:
http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/n/nina/somewhere_down_the_road.html
(Somewhere Down the Road by Nina)

ALL WEATHER Series: RAINY by Ptr. Jay-R Ramirez (Victory Caloocan)

"When it rains, it pours."

In the last installment of the "All-Weather" Series at Victory Caloocan, Ptr. Jay-R Ramirez talked about the "Rainy" Weather. This sunday's message focused on Blessings in Christ.

We who are living in CAMANAVA (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela) area don't consider the rainy weather as a blessing. Most likely we consider it as a problem. Instead of the above-mentioned statement, we say,

"When it rains, it FLOODS."

But in the Bible, people consider God sending rain as BLESSING. Here are some examples:

"But the land you are crossing the Jordan to take possession of is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from heaven. 

...then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil
Then the Lord’s anger will burn against you, and he will shut up the heavens so that it will not rain and the ground will yield no produce, and you will soon perish from the good land the Lord is giving you.

The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none." —Deuteronomy 11:11,14,17; 28:12

Taking the text from Philippians 4:10-19, Ptr, Jay-R gave emphases on these three (3) significant phrases about blessings. In a reversed way, he enumerated them as:

• "...supply all your needs..." (v. 19). These pertains to material and financial blessings we receive not through our own but according to God's riches. Many of us desires so many things only to find ourselves unsatisfied after receiving it. We are pursuing fleeting happiness. But God wants us to be happy. As a father would do anything to make his child/ren happy, so will God. However, when we seek blessings just to be happy, we just make God a conduit and not the source. This then becomes idolatry. God doesn't want us to lack anything, He wants us to super-abound.
• "...credited to your account." (v. 17). God wants you to super-abound. In the latter part of Psalm 35:27 it says, 

"May those who delight in my vindication
shout for joy and gladness;

may they always say, “The LORD be exalted

 who delights in the well-being of his servant.”

The things we want is not happiness in itself, it's just added. Like an icing and the cherry on the cake or the whipped cream on your frap. King Solomon in all his majesty and splendor came to a conclusion that "everything is meaningless" and that "all things are wearisome" (Ecclesiates 1:2&8). The things of this world will never fully satisfy. It will only leave us empty and wanting. As Jeremiah writes, our longing for material things are just but "broken cisterns that cannot hold water" compared to the God Himself who is "the spring of living water." (2:13)

What is CONTENTMENT?

• "...the secret of being content..." (v.12). In the letter of the Apostle Paul to the Philippians, he gave so much emphasis on the source of his blessings; that is being "in the Lord". Paul knew that blessings can only be found in his Lord Jesus, who is the stream of Living Water. Jesus proclaimed Himself as the source of Living Water when He talked to the Samaritan Woman beside the well  and to His disciples (John 4:10, 7:38). King David as well, in all the riches and prosperity of Israel under his rule still finds his satisfaction in his desire to "dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of [his] life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple" (Psalm 27:4).  David also knew that if he "take delight in the LORD, he will give [him] the desires of [his] heart." (Psalm 37:4)

We will never satisfied apart from Christ.

In conclusion, Ptr. Jay-R exalted Jesus as the greatest source of and is the blessing Himself as he gave these powerful statements:
  

Listen to ALL WEATHER Series Podcasts of Victory Caloocan here.

Like Father, Like Son

"Kuhang kuha mo talaga ang tatay mo."

Ito ang linyang ayaw na ayaw kong naririnig noon. Ewan ko ba. Hindi naman sa hindi ko gustong maging katulad ni Papa, pero mas gusto ko lang maging ako--ako lang mismo. Unique ang mukha, ang pagkilos--ang buo kong pagkatao. Ngunit anuman ang gawin ko, hindi ko maalis ang katotohanang kalahti ng pagkatao ko ay kay Papa. Pangalan pa lang. at yun pa ang napili kong palayaw--ART. Ewan ko nga din kung bat mas pinili niya ang palayaw na Bhoy.

Lumaki ako na 'tila sanay nang wala si Papa. OFW kasi siya sa Saudi simula 2 years old palang ata ako. At kung siya'y umuwi, minsan lang sa dalawang taon. May pagkakataon ding nag-eextend siya hanggang 3 taon para may maiuwi man lang pag nagbalik-bayan siya.

Makailang birthday ko rin na madalas wala siya. Sanay naman na din akong 3 lang kami ni Mama at Ate na nagsecelebrate ng birthday namin. Ilang taon din na laging si Mama ang laging nagsasabit ng medalya ko tuwing nakakuha ako ng honor sa school.

Siguro nga't mas marami pa akong naikuwento noon sa Mothers' Day blog ko noon tungkol sa mga oras na magkasama kami ni Mama kaysa sa blog ko ngayong Fathers' Day para kay Papa. Ngunit hindi iyon nangangahulugang wala kaming masasayang sandali ni Papa.

Grade 5 ako noon, nakatakda na sana siyang umuwi pero mas pinili niya daw mag-extend ng isa pang taon. Sa sobrang kitid ng utak ko at siguro sa pagkasabik naring makita siya, nasabi ko nalang nung minsa'y tumawag siya sa cellphone, "Kung wag ka na kayang umuwi?" Yun pala, ang pag-eextend niya ay para maging present sa Graduation ko nung Grade 6. At siya ang nagsabit sa akin ng aking gintong medalya. Nung 4th Year naman ako, hindi siya nakauwi, ngunit pinilit niyang makatawag marinig man lang ang Valedictory Speech ko.

19 years old ako. Huling birthday ko sa dati naming bahay, umuwi siya. At gumuwa siya ng specialty niyang okoy at ipinatikim sa mga bisita ko. At nang dumating din ang unos sa akin at sa pamilya namin. Kailangan na naming bakantehin ang bahay dahil inaangkin na ito ng tunay na may-ari. Wala pa kaming malilipatan. Inamin din nila na maaaring mahinto na ako sa pag-aaral dahil sa dami ng dapat bayaran. Ngunit sa lahat ng ito, nantiling matibay na haligi si Papa para sa pamilya. Yung buong 2-3 buwang bakasyon niya, nakita ko at naappreciate ang magiging tunay niyang ama sa amin n nagsilbing suporta ng pamilya namin upang di ito bumagsak sa pagdaan ng mga bagyo.

May panahon ngang, inimbitahan siyang mag-preach sa isang church ng kaibigan niya. Tapos, dahil tiwala siya sa gift ng Lord na ibinigay niya sa akin sa pagbabahagi ng Word, ako ang isinalang Niya,

Dama ko ang hirap ng magpalaki ng anak nang malayo sa kanya. Pero dito ako hanga kay Papa. Hindi niya inda ang lungkot at pagka-homesick sa avroad para lamang masuportahan kami. Ang mga araw na panalangin na lamang sa Diyos ang tangi niyang paraan para maipaabot sa amin ang kanyang pagkalinga't pagmamahal ng asawa at ama.

Kaya naman Saludo ako kay Papa sa katatagan niya, katiyagaan, pagdidisiplina at higit sa lahat ay ang banal na takot niya sa Diyos. Isa ito sa mga "namana: kong katangian sa kanya, Yun siguro ang masasabi kong "Like Father, Like Son."

HAPPY FATHERS' DAY, PA! Mahal ko po kayo!

ALL-WEATHER Series: CLOUDY by Ptr. Jay-R Ramirez (Victory Caloocan)

WEEK 3: CLOUDY (Peace in CHRIST)

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." —Philippians 4:4-9

INTRO:
Illustration: African Impala

Known for their leaps, impala can jump about 10 feet high and when running, about 33 feet ahead! However, faced an obstacle in front of it, it will never jump aboard because it doesn't know what lies beyond it.
*ANALYSIS PARALYSIS

We are all faced with uncertainties, anxieties and worries.Common Triggers of ANXIETY:
1. Uncertainty of the future.

2. Financial concerns.

3. Responses of People

Common Cause of ANXIETY: LACK OF CONTROL

Brief background to text:Euodia and Syntyche, two prominent women in the church having misunderstanding, and the whole church is affected with their relational conflict.

Paul's Reminders on the issue of ANXIETY/WORRIES

1. Rejoice in the Lord always. (v. 4)
-Anxiety is a joy-stealer.

2. Let your gentleness be evident to all (v.5a)

-Anxiety makes you grumpy.

3. The Lord is near. (v.5b)
-Anxiety will distract you.

Matthew 6: 25-33

John 14:1

Anxiety is a cause of sin when it distracts us from trusting God.

-Romans 14:23

-Psalm 56:3-4

PAUL'S ANTIDOTE FOR WORRY/ANXIETY

I. Prayer with thanksgiving (vv. 6-7)

-Psalm 107:1

-Turn your worries into prayers, not Facebook status!

II. Meditating on God's Word (v.8)

-What does God say throug your situation right now? What does He promise you?

-Romans 4:18-19

-Psalm 1:1-3

-Flood your worries with God's word!

III. Applying God's Word (v.9)

-Luke 6:46-49

-Defeat worries with faith-filled action!

-Stop saying, "What if...?"

-Do what you need to do.

CONCLUSION: Philippians 3:20-21

"Peace is not a state of mind; not a condition nor location, but a Person—and that is Christ!"
Listen to ALL WEATHER Series Podcasts of Victory Caloocan here.

ALL WEATHER SERIES: WINDY by Ptr. Jay-R Ramirez (Victory Caloocan)

"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, 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."  —Philippians 3:12-14, NIV

We all go through frustrations, oppositions and resistance in life.

The response of majority: "I QUIT!"
It may be because of:
-The PULL OF YESTERDAY
-The PUSH OF TODAY
-The REMOTENESS OF TOMORROW

3 QUESTIONS THAT WARRANT AN ANSWER:
I. What is the GOAL?
-Philippians 3:8,10
-Knowing Christ is the GOAL
-The word "knowing" here is NOT just about factual knowledge, but intimate relationship. (see Genesis 4:1)
-Moses (Exodus 33:11)
-Every situation is a potential "Burning Bush" experience

II. What do I do?
-"I press on... Pursue... Focus..."
-"Christ Jesus took hold of me"
-Whatever the opposition, Jesus is holding on. This is our hope, so don't you quit!

III. How do I do it?
-"Forgetting what is behind."
-LEAVING Behind, not living behind.
-"Straining forward" (Hebrews 12:1-3)
-What makes a champion? OVERCOMING OPPOSITION    —> Illustration: Flying a kite
-Philippians 3:16
-Catch the wind. Live the wind to soar high!
-Philippians 1:6

Listen to ALL WEATHER Series Podcasts of Victory Caloocan here.

ALL-WEATHER SERIES: SUNNY by Ptr. Noel Ojerio (Victory Caloocan)

"Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead."

(Philippians 3:1-11 New International Version)

We almost thought we have done it right; we have completed it, only to know that we missed something.
We thought that we got the best things in life, only to know that it is not the thing/s that matter/s most.

Brief background about Paul's Epistle to the Philippians:

1. It is a letter of COMMENDATION

2. It is written while Paul is in prison

3. It's main them is about JOY in the midst of life's circumstances.

4. The Judaizers were attempting to force Gentile Christians to live under the Mosaic Law.

Romans 2:17-29

Paul's Bio-Data:

1. Circumcised on the eighth day

2. Citizen of Israel

3. From the Tribe of Benjamin

4. Hebrew of Hebrews

5. In regard to the law, a Pharisee

6. As for zeal, persecuting the church

7. As for righteousness based on the law, faultless

Paul's Conclusion: Sincerity alone will NOT save you.

WHAT REALLY MATTERS
I. The Glory in Knowing Christ (v.8a)

-We often boast that we know God. But the most important question of all is, "Does God know you?" 

-To know God is to know His grace

-John 17:3

II. The Glory in Gaining Christ (v.8b)

-RUBBISH --> useless, trash, fit for disposal.

-"What are you willing to lose for the sake of gaining Christ?"

III. The Glory in Faith in Christ (v.9)
-Complete Faith vs Compromised/Partial Faith ("I know you can do this, Lord, but let me help you")
-What you can do isn't enough. What God can do is ALREADY enough.

-John 15:5

IV. The Glory in Becoming Like Christ (vv.10-11)
-Paul gave an emphasis not on becoming Jewish-like but becoming Christ-like.

-Philippians 3:21, 1 John 3:12



NOT "Jesus+" but "JESUS."

CONCLUSION:

I have what I have in Christ alone.

I am what I am in Christ alone.

I can do what I can do in Christ alone.
GLORY IN CHRIST.

Listen to ALL WEATHER Series Podcasts of Victory Caloocan here.

Basta LOVELIFE: A Review

Many youth nowadays are full of desire and thrilled to discover new things. Lahat ay gusto nilang malaman at subukan. Kaya naman pati ang lovelife ay nagiging adventure. Nakakalungkot isipin na marami sa mga kabataan ngayon ay kulang sa kaalaman at may maling perspektibo ukol sa pakikipagrelasyon. Damang-dama ito ni Kevin Sanders na isang American Campus Minister dito sa Pilipinas. In his book, Basta Lovelife, he aims to help the Filipino youth make wise relationship decisions. Inamin niyang hindi siya isang "love expert". At the age of 35, when he wrote this book, he is still searching for a lifetime partner. ngayon happily married na siya sa isang Pinay. Nagkaroon rin sya ng struggle with lust, loneliness and all other trials na nararanasan ng single man. Ganumpaman, hindi ito naging "big deal" sa kanya. Si Lord--the greatest love expert--ang naging inspirasyon niya upang maisulat ang libro. In this book, Kuya Kevin shares what he learned as he walked with God. He wants to give his readers a healthy "dose" of biblical principles and common sense.

Kuya Kevin begins his book by discussing the Bible's very first love story between Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:23). He describes the "Eyes and Ears" principle in explaining "love at first sight". This principle states that "man tend to fall in love with their eyes, while women tend to fall in love with their ears." Madaling maakit ng kanilang mga nakikita. Nahu-hook sila sa porn because they are visually wired and are easily aroused by visual stimuli. Sa kabilang banda, women tend to fall in love with their ears. Kaya naman, madali silang mabola. Pilitin man nilang maging pure hanggang huli, nadadala sila sa mga magiliw na pananalita. Idinetalye lalo ni Kuya Kevin ang gender differences sa mga sumunod na chapters ng kanyang libro. Inuna niya ang lahi ni Adan. He talked about good character being the best proof of real manhood. He urged men to be more  respectful, honest, and faithful sa mga kababaihan. Inisa-isa din niya ang mga masasamang epekto ng porn at nagbigay ng practical advices in how to deal with it. With regard to women, inemphasize niya ang purity. Itinuro niya ang proper way on how to be dressed as a woman. In-encourage din niya ang mga kababaihan to take good care of their virgnity as their gift to their future partners. Kuya Kevin also provided practical wisdom such as Love is not a feeling, the right age to enter relationship, taking relationship slowly, avoiding rebound relationships at kung paano mo malalaman kung nahanap mo na ba talaga si Mr. o si Ms. Right. He also dealt with handling dilemmas katulad ng pagkawala ng virginity, rejection, break-up, pag-asa para heartbroken, two-timing, at pagiging martir sa isang relationship. Lastly in his book, in-explain naman ni Kuya Kevin ang iba't ibang lifestyle issues such as online relationships, same-sex relationships, and live-in relationships.

Kung may mga katanungan ka about love, sex and relationships na gusto mong masagot, first consult the greatest book of all--the Bible.  But if you need a practical guide to your lovelife, this book is a good starting point. A light-read, timely, thought-provoking, straight-to-the point and very practical book about resolving relationship issues.

Basta Lovelife by Kuya Kevin is published by Church Strengthening Ministry (CSM) Publishing and is available at all major bookstores nationwide for only Php200.

ALL-WEATHER Series: STORMY by Ptr. Jay-R Ramirez (Victory Caloocan)

And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear. It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News. Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice. For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance. For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me. (Philippians 1:12-26, New Living Translation) 

Things to know about WEATHER 
1. It is NEVER permanent. 

2. You can never fight it. You just have to ADAPT with it.

SERIES GOALS: In whatever circumstances...  

1. Honor GOD
2. Grow in GOD

Things to know about STORM

1. It DISTRURBS normal life. 

2. It creates CHAOS/FEAR/ANXIETY/WORRY 

3. Comes in different INTENSITY

Life's STORMS are joy stealers.There's nothing to do/we can do about STORM. 

We may not want it; we always wanted a "sunny day" life, but STORMS will [surely] come. 

It is NOT a matter of IF, but of WHEN. 

Common RESPONSES of people to STORMS: 

1. They look INWARD - pity party 

2. They look OUTWARD - blame game 

3. They look SIDEWARD - seek help from people (padrino sysytem) 

4. They look FORWARD - they go before God's will and try to suggest of what He "should" do and how He "should" do it.

PAUL's Response to STORMS 

 I. He STAYED 

-He looked up to Christ-"Christ"- mentioned 11x in our text alone. 

-The safest place in the midst of the storm is in the eye of the storm 

-The safest place when we are experiencing storms in life is in the arms of God--in His will, in His presence.

- Psalm 34:8 -God is more concerned in giving Himself than giving gifts  

-"When I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." -C.S. Lewis 

II. He REJOICED 

 -Paul considered his present situation is God's medium so that the Good News shall be preached. 

-He looked beyond the test to be his future TESTIMONY. 

-The pain you feel today shall be your STRENGTH tomorrow. 

III. He HONORED Christ 

-Illustration: The Royal Palace of Tehran (Iran)--"Broken to be Beautiful"

  

-God is able to use your storms to accomplish His perfect will.
 -Habakkuk 3:16-18 

Listen to ALL WEATHER Series Podcasts of Victory Caloocan here.