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.

Oh How He Loves Us

"A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.” (John 21:17, NLT)

"Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, 

but dwelling on it separates close friends.”(Proverbs 17:9, NLT)

One thing that makes me admire Jesus is how He reinstated Peter. How Jesus could have condemned--and He has all the reasons to do so on--Simon because of his denial of Him, not just once but thrice; but Jesus didn't.

Peter was with Jesus all the way. Jesus called him from being a fisherman to become a fisher of men. He was given a new name, Peter, which means. “The Rock”. He has heard Jesus preaching on the mount. He saw Jesus fed the thousands, opened the blind eyes. The lame man walked, the lepers were cleansed, the demons were cast out. He was even the only disciple who experienced walking on the water with Jesus. He had seen Jesus transfigured and talked with Moses and Elijah. He was part of the so-called "big three" (along with James and John. He was the first one to reject the suffering of his Lord, that Jesus had to rebuke him. He was with Him on the table during the last supper, probably sitting next to Jesus. He was even with Him that night He was arrested at Gethsemane. He even pulled out his sword and struck Malchus' ear just to defend Jesus. 

Peter tried his best to come along with the multitudes in the palace of Caiaphas without anyone noticing. But his plan didn't work out. What Jesus foretold about his denial happened. Feared of being imprisoned, he denied his Lord three times. And the cock crowed. Then Jesus looked on Peter. It is a significant look. It was like Jesus telling him, "Don't you really know me?" Imagine the agony of Jesus after He was denied by the disciple He considered to Himself closer than a brother, He was with Peter all the way and Peter with Him. They were best friends. Now His best friend disowned Him.

Yet Jesus did not give up on Peter. When Jesus rose again on the third day, He came back to Peter. He saw him doing the same thing he used to do--he came back fishing. As Peter denied Jesus three times, Jesus asked Peter three times as well of how much Peter loves Him. 

Let's pause for a while. If you were in the place of Jesus, would we come back to the friend who disowned us in our suffering just to keep himself free of offense or kept himself from being blamed? The honest will answer, "NO." Those who play safe will answer, "MAYBE." but in the back of their minds, they say, "He just have to pay the price" or "He just have to win my trust again." Nevertheless, Jesus didn't think like we do. Say it again, "He came back to Peter." One more time, "He came back to Peter." 

"Hello? Jesus was the one offended here," you'll say. That's it. Can you imagine that love? Jesus, being the one offended, came back to Peter, the offender, to bring him back to Himself. Wow! You know the rest of the story. Jesus never condemned Peter for what he has done. He reinstated him. As a result, Jesus never lose Peter, but have regained him. and since then, Peter become the founder of the Christian Church (of course, it's still Jesus. Peter was the successor) and one of the assets of Jesus' kingdom expansion. 

The same is Jesus’ love for us. He doesn’t look on us about our past. He looks on us with the desire to lavish His love. While we were without strength to reach out on Him, He reached out on us. He made a way in order for us to be reconciled to God and to be friends with Him again. He gave us again the position we have lost—children of God. That is the highest form of love—AGAPE.

Mula sa isang MAMA's Boy

Naalala mo pa ba noong ipinaglilihi mo palang ako? naikwento mo na sa akin ito noon. Sabi mo, tinatago mo pa yung hipon na ilalagay dapat ni Papa sa gagawin niyang okoy para ilako...Eh yung araw ng kapanganakan ko? Sabi mo, on the way palang kayo sa ospital, lumabas na ang malaking ulo ko. Di ko lang maimagine, paano kaya yung lumakad ka na papasok ng Emergency room tas nakalawit yung ulo ko. HELLO WORLD! :D Sabi mo pa nga, inakala mong Ceasarean ulit. Delikado kasi Ceasaran ka na kay ate. Awa ng Diyos, nadaan sa forcepts. NORMAL padin.  

Naaalala mo pa ba yung unang taon ko?  Unang taon din yun ni Papa sa Saudi.  Di ko lang po maimagine yung hirap mo na palakihin kami ng mag-isa lalo pa't napakabata pa namin noon. Pero ewan ko ba. Ang tatag mo, Mas matayog ka pa sa Narra, matibay pa sa kawayan, maasim pa sa sampalok! (teka ba't napasok yun? TULOY!)

Yung tinuturuan mo pa ako magsulat? Dyslexic pa nga ako nun eh. Bali-baliktad pa sulat ko ng letters ko. Pero nagtyaga ka padin. nang tinuturuan mo palang akong magbasa, buyoy ako nun. Pero sige lang. Yung tinuruan mo din ako magbilang, dahil dun, nakabisado ko halos lahat ng telephone number ng mga kamag-anak natin. Yung mga tanong ko kahit ambisyoso akong bata, sinasagot mo. EH KASI, BATA!Nung sa sobrang pikon ko nun sa kalaro ko, binato ko ng bato tas nagkasugat sa ulo, nung nadadapa ako sa habulan namin, nang nakagat ako ng aso, nang pinagalitan kami ng mga Instik na kapitbahay dahil sa paglalaro namin ng doorbell nila, lahat yun, ikaw ang humingi ng paumanhin at nagdisiplina sa akin. 

 Sa unang taon ko sa pag-aaral, sabi ng ibang mga teacher ko, i-accelerate mo na ako, di ka pumayag, sabi mo baka mabigla ako. sa mga projects (lalo na yung arts mosaic at yung tahian, alam mo na, pasmado at takot matusok.) ikaw ang sumasalo. Sa dami ng taong umaakyat ka sa stage para sabitan ako ng medalya at sa mga rewards na binibili mo, kaya dumami ang mga laruan kong robot nun. HAHA. Sobrang proud ka sa akin. Sa dami ng sermon, mga bilin, utos at pangangaral.sa almost 21 years na mag kasama tayo... kahit minasan may tampuhan, nananatiili ka paring mabuting ina sa amin ni ate. siguro nga't di ko malilista ang lahat ng mga times for that 20 years na nagkasama tayo, pero hindi naman na yun mahalaga. Marami pang taon tayong magkakasama, Ma. Sorry po at times di ako nakikinig. Marahil ay sinusubukan ko din pong mag-isip at mag-mature. Sorry po kung di ko mameet ang expectations ninyo sa akin. Sorry po kung nagdedemand din po ako masyado sa inyo... 

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Pero isa lang po masasabi ko, I AM BLESSED TO HAVE A WONDERFUL MOM SUCH AS YOU. At kung bibigyan din po ako ng pagkakataon ng Diyos na pumili ng isang ina sa kabilang buhay, kayo parin po ang pipiliin ko.HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY MA! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

"She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.' Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." (Proverbs 31:27-31 NIV)

 -Si Art Po. Gwapong Anak niyo :)

Eleksyon 2013: Popularity Contest Nga Ba?

"Sila nanaman?"
"Sila nalang ng sila."
"Gaya ng inaasahan."
"Sikat eh."

Ilan lang ito sa mga narinig at nabasa kong kumento mula sa aking mga kabarkada't kapamilya (sige isama nadin ang kapatid at ang kapuso. OK na?) isang araw matapos ang isa nanamang makasaysayang event sa ating bansa. Ngunit ang tanong ng marami na tila ay mahirap sagutin, lalo na't nag nagsimula ng maglabas ang COMELEC/PPCRV ng mga initial partial results ilang minuto matapos pormal na isara ang halalan, ay ang "Paano/Bakit siya?" Ako mismo ay nagtaka. "Bakit siya nakapasok? Eh ganito, eh  ganyan." Di ko rin alam.

Mula pa noong Marso ay tila nagpapa-sikatan na ang mga aspirants para maging kilala sa tao. Kaliwa't kanan ang mga parada at campaign jingles. Dito nga sa Caloocan, may kandidato pang gumamit ng Voltes 5 at Submarine ni Andrew E.  Halos sunod-sunod na pasurvey ng iba't ibang organisasyon, mula sa Pulse Asia, SWS, maging hanggang sa mga Unibersidad at mga Kolehiyo. Umulan din ng mga Political Ads sa Radyo't Telebisyon. Maya't maya nadin ang mga Debates at Forums upang mas makilala ang ating mga kandidato. At sino ba naman ang di nahagip ng mga usapan sa Social Media lalong-lalo na sa Facebook?

Isa sa mga nakatawag ng pansin sa sakin, lalo na sa resulta para sa pagkasenador, ay ang pagkaka-top ng mga sikat na pangalan. Nangunguna sa listahan ay ang Anak ni Da King. Maging ako ay nagulat. Hindi siya numero uno sa mga survey, ngunit sa resulta ng voters turnouts, 14M+ ang sumoporta sa kanya. Siguro nga'y basang-basa na natin ang mga isip ng tao. "Tatay niya kasi si Da King. Eh mahal yun ng taumbayan. Lalo pa't dinaya noon ang tatay niya para sa pagka-Pangulo". Yun nga ba ang dahilan kung bakit sya mananalo?

Pang-apat sa listahan ay ang Keso ni Puso. Kontrobersyal ang senador dahil sa issue sa pagitan ng kanyang kasintahan at nang mga magulang nito. Sinasabi nang ilan na ito'y isang "black propaganda" upang madiscourage ang mga supporters niya para bumoto ng pabor kay Senador. May mga ilan ding nagsabing, masamang ehemplo sa kabataan ang kanyang ginawa sa magulang ng kanyang nobya, lalo pa't kabataan ang sentro ng karamihan sa kanyang adhikain. Ngunit baliktad ata ang naging resulta. Tila nakatulong pa ang "black propaganda" upang siya'y makapasok muli sa Senado. Muli, yun nga ba ang dahilan kung bakit sya mananalo?

Isa pang kagulat-gulat ay pag-lapag ni Nanay de Pamilya sa ikalimang pwesto sa pagkasenador na ni isang beses ay di sumipot sa mga debate at forums. Ni hindi rin naging madalas ang pag-ere ng kanyang mga political ads sa mga TV stations o maging sa radyo. Ngunit sa ganitong kaso ay tila nakatulong ang social media sa kanyang kampanya. Isang sikat na page sa FB ang garapalang hinusgahan sya dahil sa kanyang kulay. Ngunit kaysa umimik ay nanatili siyang tahimik tungkol dito. Libreng kampanya pa nga ang naging resulta nito para sa kanya. Pero, yun nga ba ang dahilan kung bakit sya mananalo?

Kapansin-pansin din ang mga pangalang nasa huling pwesto. Mga hindi kilala, mga ika nga ng marami, "wala pa raw napapatunayan". Ang akin lang, mabibigyan din ba sila ng pagkakataong magkaroon ng papatunayan kung tayo ay tatangging ilaan ang kahit isang boto sa isa man lang kanila?

Opinyon ko lamang. Tila ba ay markado na sa ating mga Pilipino ang mga sumusunod na kaisipan,
1. "Bagito palang yan. Wala pang napapatunayan. Hindi ko yan iboboto."
2. "Eto iboboto ko, si kwan. Matagal ng nagiging Senador yan. May napatunayan na yan eh."
3. "Ok naman si kwan. Siguro ok din tong kamag-anak niya. Di naman niya siguro ipapahiya ang kanyang...(kamag-anak)"
4. "Kababayan namin si kwan eh. kaya iboboto ko yan."
5. "Idol ko si ganito eh. kaya iboboto ko yan."
6. "Natulungan na kami ni ganito, may utang na loob na kami sa kanya, kaya iboboto namin yan."

Pansin niyo ba? Dahil SIKAT, kilala mo, nakatulong siya sayo (well, di ko naman sinasabing laging mali), o kamag-anak ng katulong ng lolo ng tiyuhin ng bilas ng kapitbahay niyo na suki ni Aling Puring na madalas ay nakikipaginuman kay kwan at nakikipag-tong-its ke ganito (Ah ewan!) kaya mo sya iboboto.

Takot kasi tayong matalo. Takot tayong magbakasakali. Hanggat may paraan tayo makasiguro, dun tayo. Walang mali sa pagiging sigurista kung ikaw mismo ay napatunayan mo na. Ang akin lang, paano mo masusubukan ang mga baguhan kung lagi ka sa datihan? Paano sila magkakaroon ng pagkakataong may mapatunayan kung lagi tayong susuporta lagi sa sikat lang? Hangga't di tayo matututong manindigan sa ating sariling naisin at lagi nalang makikiayon sa naisin ng nakararami, hindi tayo uusad. Paulit-ulit na lang. Dahil ang nakaupo, sila at sila na lang. Sila at sila nanaman. haays...

Hanggang kailan Pilipino? Hanggang kailan?