Work, Life and Ministry

2017 went really fast. I thought I just celebrated my birthday a few weeks ago, but as I look on the calendar, it is almost end of the year. Looking back on the year that was, I just wanted to thank God for everything that had happened throughout the year.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven”

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ESV)

There are a lot of things happened for the past year, most of which made and helped me to be a better version of myself. Without the triumphs and challenges I faced, I would not be the person I am today. Everything happened in the right time and season of my life.

Work, life and ministry, 3 things that would probably sum up my 2017. Let me share to you what  happened along the way:

WORK & LIFE

2017 has been a great year for me. My work provided avenues to make me better professionally, thus giving me a little boost of confidence whenever at work. Life has been fair for me, making me stronger each day, through the challenges I faced each day, though there are times that I really wanted to give up. But thank God that He is always with me as I rise up in every occasion.   Whether what happened, I know and felt that everything contributed in my growth and depth as well, in terms of being a young professional.

MINISTRY

This year has been my most active year as a volunteer at church, and some of my closest friends can attest to that. I can be seen almost everywhere. I almost go home everyday late at night. I came to the point of being exhausted and asked myself why. Some of my mentors also asked me to slow down and take things according to its priority. I had a hard time coping up and it took me some months to finally learn and apply that important lesson. I thank God for giving and surrounding me with people who never gave up on me and who are always there to pray for me. I was able to overcome this obstacle.

Having said that, everything that had happened makes me look forward for 2018. Are you looking forward for the coming year?

I am looking forward for the coming year as I am eager to see how God will move in and through me. As early as conceptualizing this blog, I already had some faith goals in mind that I would like to pray for to happen. I’m expecting and at the same time preparing myself for the things that are yet to come next year.

From work, to life and to ministry, a lot of things contributed for my development and growth this year as a young professional working abroad and as a volunteer and leader at church. Here are some the things that I learned for the past year.

• Humbleness (not prideful)

Being humble is marked by being modest in behavior, attitude and spirit, not arrogant or prideful. This helped me to always give my best in everything I do, without expecting something in return, that it is Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13) everyday to carry on each task, face challenges and celebrate the triumphs after.

• Openness (not isolation)

As I nurture my relationships with the people whom God placed in my life, I am trying to be more open and letting down the walls (shame and insecurities) I built myself. I can openly share to them a few things, which I never imagined that I would be able to tell them. By being open to my mentors, a stronger relationship was built and I pray and hope that this will be a start for more and be able to contribute for our growth. (Proverbs 27:17)

• Perseverance (not giving up)

Our lives are not meant to be storm free, but rather storm proof. This is one of the lessons I will forever treasure as I continue to seek God every day of my life. Amidst of the trials I experience, I always remember why I am running this race of life. (Hebrews 12:1)

• Excellence (not mediocre)

Being the best version of ourselves is not easily achievable. We have to persevere, jump off each hurdle in a particular season of our lives. But as we progress, we need also to evaluate everything (ourselves and the things surrounding us). Focus is also important as we do these things. I learned to always fix your eyes to the One who gave us everything.  (Hebrew 12:2)

Aside from the lessons, many people have inspired me to continue to persevere, honor and serve God by using the talents He has given me and I am forever grateful with these people who have spoken into my life since the day that I followed God.

HOPE (humbleness, openness, perseverance and excellence) played a vital part in my walk with God this year, hoping that God will bring out the best in me and for you also, by putting our trust in Him because he will make everything okay.

20 Hours

I’ve been up since 6:30 AM of yesterday and as of the writing of this blog, it’s already almost 2AM of the next day. To end a very long day, I look back on the things that happened for the past 20 hours, and pondering on each of the activities that happened, I can’t help to thank God for the people I had fellowships with throughout the day. In between those fellowships, I learned something and encouraged more as I journey onto life.

Here are some of the lessons I learned and pondered on:

• Amidst all what’s happening around you, always look onto God and always bear in mind that whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. (Colossians 3:23)
• Whenever you feel like you are going the wrong way or it feels like you feel like stuck at the moment, there’s one person ready to listen to you and He can be reachable 24/7, God. You just need to say a little prayer, and trust in Him and He will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).
• Treat every challenge as a stepping stone to improve and make yourself better. You may be entering a new season in your life, but one thing is for sure, God is preparing you for greater things. The discipline being developed may be quite hard, but after you surpassed these hurdles in life, you will come out stronger and better. Hebrews 12:11 says “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

At the end of each day, always check your heart. For the past few days prior, God has been so gracious to me and He keeps reminding me of this verse from Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”

God bless us all

Pause, Lost & Restored

There are stories in our life that can either make us or break us. Both have a quite effect on the way on how we interact with other people.

I’ve been busy for the past days preparing for an event to close the month of September. On top of work schedules, there are some errands to finish, designs to do and a lot of things in between.  I also had a fair share of both type of stories, some happened a couple of days ago. Minor casualties have been made causing some little misunderstandings. This leads me to ask myself asking, “Where I have been?” There’s something wrong already.

Having said that, I would like to share what I have learned:

1.       Pause: Think for a minute

With all the things that surrounds us, with the ups and downs of life; we should always pause and assess our situation, whether we are still doing the right things with the right motives.

²³Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. ²⁴See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)

2.       Lost: Now what?

As I stood up I the crossroads of life, I can’t seem to move on. I can’t decide where to go. I’m lost in the reality of life. Have I not learned from the previous mistakes I had? Are the things just pass by like a wind brushing our hairs? Do I need to learn everything the hard way?

No, I have to stand up and remember to why I am running this race and who are with me as I run towards the finish line.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

3.       Restored: Going back to God

After all that happened, realizing the cost of what the things that just happened, learning in a hard way is really tough. You have to go through a series of hurdles, and at some point, the thought of giving up came into my mind and go back to my old self.

Above all things, God’s love will still prevail.

³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)

At the end of the day, it is always about God. As Colossians 3:17 says “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Check

Over the past week, there had been many challenges came. Some I have conquered. But there are some that I can’t go over with, Having said that, I paused for a moment and ask myself, “Why is this happening again?”

As the new week start, we want to prepare ourselves so that whatever challenges may come, we are able to fight it.

Here are some of the things that I learned:

1. Check your heart.

As we do things, whether it is at work, church or some personal stuffs, let us remember why we are doing things and to whom we are doing it for. These questions might help us to think about our motives and inspiration: Does these things come out of your passion or out of obligation? Are we pleasing God? Pleasing ourselves? Or pleasing other people.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,

Colossians 3:23 New International Version

       2.       Recharge & renew yourself.

In facing any type of challenges, we should have enough strength to carry on these things. Where do we get our strength?

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13 English Standard Version (ESV)

29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. 30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:29-31 English Standard Version (ESV)

I hope and pray that you’ll be able to succeed the challenges you are about to face this coming week. Always be reminded that God is with you, just hold onto Him. He is the source of your strength. God bless us all.

On the Pursuit of Excellence

On the road of pursuing excellence, there will be some point in time that we will encounter bumps in along the way for a specific reason.

I always wanted to make a difference and pursue excellence. But sometimes, God will allow events to happen that would make you pause and stop, to step back and look into a bigger picture of what is currently happening in your life, and to evaluate the situation.

There were events that happened for the past days that made me realize and to rethink of my priorities and the things that always makes me stay hungry for more.

²³Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. ²⁴See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)

Sometimes, God will use people and some little events that will help you realize what is wrong in you, and on the current situation or season you are in right now. Take time to examine yourself and the things you always do. Take down notes if possible and reflect on it. The process may take some of your time, but I do know that everything will be worth it.

What happened to me is that I encountered a bump in the road while pursuing that I know would help me to achieve excellence. Reflecting on what happened, I realize that there is something wrong, personal gratification. Yes, I got hurt of what happened, because I am doing the things I love for myself only, not for God, who is the One who provided me with these abilities.

Transformation is a process, and as life happens there are tons of ups and downs. It's a journey of discovery - there are moments on mountaintops and moments in deep valleys of despair.

-Rick Warren

There are things that really take time to develop, and if you rush in achieving it, it will just be a half-baked project. Slow down and think. Trust that God is teaching and doing something in you. Let your heart be open for correction. The road to excellence will not be easy. I hope and do pray that whatever happens to your life in the current season you are in right now, always seek God and ask for His guidance.

Begin with the End in Mind

When I was about to enter college, I have an ambition of graduating with honors, because I wanted to get a good job after graduation.

I got save when I was a sophomore student in college, when someone approached me during a meeting in the organization I joined, asking me if he could share the Gospel to me. It took me a few months before I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior.

Having Christ as my Lord and Savior radically changed my life. From having a selfish motivation, I want to graduate with flying colors to honor my parents, especially my dad who did not finished college. Having that new found motivation, I was able to finish gracefully, ending it with joy in my heart.

I worked  in the Philippines for 2 ½ years before I decided to move here in Abu Dhabi last 2014, to try building a career in the hospitality industry. I thought everything will be fine.

I was not connected to the church (ENAD) for more than a year. I felt empty, yearning for that feeling I felt 8 years ago at Victory Ubelt. It was only November 2015, when I got a chance to be invited to attend to a prayer meeting. I felt like I started all over again with my walk with God. I feel so refreshed at that time. But it was early 2016 when someone contacted me, followed-up, and eventually plugged in to a CORE group.

2016 has been a tough year for me. I’ve been struggling at work, that prompted me to pass a resignation letter by the middle of the year. I came to a point asking God for a new job. To ease the stress, I filed for a vacation for the 3^rd quarter. Few weeks before the vacation, I decided to make this trip a purpose-driven one. This time,  I prayed to God for guidance.

The night before my flight, I decided to publicly declare my faith, through water baptism. On the morning of my flight, I attended the worship service, then went straight home, to check everything before heading to Dubai for my flight.

In James 2:17, “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” So to make this trip a purpose-driven one, I see to it that during my vacation, I will meet the leaders and mentors who influenced me, to update them and ask for guidance and prayers.

By the end of my vacation, God did not answer my prayer. He did not gave me a new job. Instead, He gave me a new heart. A heart of renewed faith and a heart full of joy. The last quarter of 2016 was a period full of revelations and answered prayers, which made me to look forward for the year ahead.

2017 started pretty great for me. Blessings and more answered prayers, joined and committed in a ministry and registered to this current batch of Training for Victory.

A 10-week journey of faith-building lessons and spirit-strengthening testimonies, Training for Victory provided me with great avenues to have a deeper understanding of who God is, who am I, and what is my purpose where I am today. The lessons helped me to evaluate myself and be prepared to do great things for God’s glory.

                There was a time somewhere between the course of the training that I said to myself, “What am I really doing here? Am I just attending this training for compliance? Or there must be something greater than that?”

Here are some points that I learned throughout the period of 10 weeks:

§  Be prepared: We may be in different seasons right now. We, as leaders and ambassadors of Christ here on earth, must be prepared to fulfill God’s calling in our lives. We must persevere while waiting for God’s perfect timing on His promises.

§  Disciplined to be a disciple: I learned a lot of things throughout this training, that will help me to prepare and catapult to wherever God wants me to go.

§  Legacy: Whatever things we do today, always bear in mind what would be the impact to the person we are interacting with. We always have to think with the end result in mind.

As I end, I want to leave with this:

This journey isn’t that easy. But everything comes with a purpose. A purpose that would you make you not to give up, but a purpose for you to persevere and to stand strong, a purpose to help your faith in Him to be stronger when everything else seems not going your way, and learn to trust everything to Him. It was His hands who have been working in my life since the day I started knowing Him. 

For Good

This is my 2017 birthday blog.

I've heard it said

That people come into our lives for a reason

As we grow older, we will meet people from all walks of life, may it be in our workplace or local area/ city where we are living at.

Bringing something we must learn

Relationships will be built in the process as people are coming into our lives. There will be a lot of times that you will enjoy the company of each other. But there are some instances that you and that someone will encounter misunderstandings. Dealing with this misunderstanding depends upon us. Some may deal with it very personal, but for some, and I pray that this would be their response, they would weigh in, looking on both sides of the coin, and choose to get the (good) lesson on what happened. These lessons and the experiences from the people around you will help you to be a better person.

And we are led

To those who help us most to grow

If we let them

And we help them in return

Well, I don't know if I believe that's true

But I know I'm who I am today

Because I knew you...

These lessons will help your relationship with a friend to grow and to gain a deeper understanding of each other. Thus, making these relationships one of the things I will definitely treasure forever. And as we look forward for this 2017, I’m looking forward to build and nurture more. I am privileged to be part of someone else’s journey, and same goes to mine, I am thankful for them.

As for my previous birthday blogs, I always look back and give thanks for the people who have been part of my life and my growth as a person.

As I look forward for 2017, I’m praying to build more relationships that will help me to grow, develop and be a man after God’s own heart. I believe it was not accident that I met some of these great people I know who helped me to be the person I am now.

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” – Proverbs 17:17

For the past year, I was blessed to know some people whom I called my brothers and sisters in Christ. I’m beyond grateful to God for giving me those people whom I shared time and stories with. Some went beyond their comfort zones to reach out, spend time with me even in the wee hours of the night, walk for a few kilometers and generously enough in all aspects of life. Being with these people, I wish time would freeze when I am with them. I have learned a lot of them.

As I end, let me share to you another couple of lines from For Goof:

It well may be

That we will never meet again

In this lifetime

So let me say before we part

So much of me

Is made of what I learned from you

You'll be with me

Like a handprint on my heart

When you are with the people you wanted to be with, seize every opportunity when you are with them. Be a sponge, absorb everything their sharing to you. Love them as God loves you (John 15:12). Be patient and bear with each other if you have any misunderstandings and forgive them. Above all, love them because this binds you and your friends together. (Colossians 3:13-14)

They will leave a mark in your lives that will surely be with you for the rest of your life.