And [Jesus] went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed the twelve . . . so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons.1 After having appointed the twelve, […]
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit . . .1 What fruit is referred to in this metaphor? Is it the fruit of the Spirit or disciples? Scrutinize what the fruit of the Spirit is. The fruit of the Spirit is love . […]
Illumination is defined as 1: light that comes into a room, that shines on something; 2: knowledge or understanding.1 For our purpose, illumination is the word for the process by which we come to see and think differently.2 Am reminded of a story—a former Undersecretary about to deliver a talk. While holding his cup of […]
We continue our exploits from the 10 Plagues in the book of Exodus. As we learn more about God, we realize he doesn’t do random. Everything is meant for God’s purpose and glory. As mentioned, there are different methodologies that may aid us in our study of Scripture. Whatever tool we use, it is beneficial […]
Last week, I mentioned that we may draw up different lessons from our study of Scripture, even from the same topic. Again, applying SOQPA (Scripture, Observation, Question, Prayer, and Application) as a tool, let us delve further into the story of the 10 plagues. Through observation, we may note that it was God who hardened […]
Studying the Bible never jades. One may study a chapter or an entire story in the Bible, yet come out with different insights. Take the ten plagues that God meted on Egypt in the book of Exodus. Academicians have revealed that each plague was an indictment for the false gods of Egypt1 (an interesting study […]
Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what is promised.1 Frequently, I have quick-witted banters. “Is that your usual sugar fix?” Sarcastically, “Addicted!” Teasingly I respond, “She must be an influencer?” […]
Have you ever felt destitute or sighed in resignation? Why is it that some are better than others? Is skill innate or is it acquired? Is excellence an attitude or is it caught? What sets one apart from others? These are valid questions for us to ponder particularly when it comes to our choice of […]
God himself honored David by saying, “I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.”1 But wasn’t David haughty as a teenager, and as a king an adulterer, even a murderer? He wasn’t faultless; how could God turn a blind eye to his sins? […]
Wilderness–A Blessing In Disguise; Is It? What is a wilderness? The Little Oxford dictionary1 defines it as n. desert, uncultivated and uninhabited land or tract; confused assemblage, out of office, in exile or disgrace, out of favour. Whereas the Webster 1828 dictionary2 defines wilderness as a n [from wild], 1. A desert; a tract of […]
Earlier I touched on identity, followed by purpose, which leads us to a clarity of vision. For true visionaries the imaginary world of their visions is more real to them than the concrete reality around them. In fact, a visionary’s vision is his reality. There is a story about Walt Disney (envisioning Disney World). A […]
People in general are adverse to change. Somehow, we prefer the familiar; we are ruled by habits; in the extreme, chained to addictions. Regardless of empirical proof, our minds find justification on how to prove ourselves right. Flashback as an exchange student, during our chemistry lab class the professor had set up a heating mantle […]
[The LORD] tested them, saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I […]
Evidently, the world has underestimated the havoc of the COVID-19. The scramble for a solution to arrest the pandemic has caused knee-jerk reactions and self-professed experts to flood the social media. Thus, the Executive Order to extend the Enhanced Community Quarantine for Luzon has been dividedly received. There are reported sporadic chaos and panic. Yet, […]
Daily, to counter the negative influence that the world has on my thoughts, I arise with faith declarations: “This is the day that the LORD has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.”1 “The joy of the LORD is my strength.”2 “In Your presence there is fullness of joy”3 (I learned this habit […]
Humor has a way of connecting with people. Evident among great schools, if not Ivy League, were the choice of known comedians to address their graduating class. I had a chance to view random keynote addresses from the University of Southern California, the Wake Forest University, the Harvard University, and lift the gist of their […]
The year 2019 seemed to pass like a wind. I have bittersweet realizations and beyond-comprehension-experiences-that-surpass-expectations to be thankful for. Let me start with the bittersweet. One, after 29 years of marriage and 26 years as a father, I feel like a clueless husband and father. Blatantly, Christ reminds me through them that I have no […]
A disciple is a follower of Christ; he1 fellowships with other believers; and he1 fishes for men.2 First, as follower we mean he1 has an intimate relationship with Christ. He1 ardently seeks and enjoys His presence. Such that he1 reflects the same glory, being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to […]
Do no judge by appearances, but judge with the right judgment.1 You will recognize them by their fruits. . . So every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.2 His disciples remembered that it was […]
A Kingdom leader is broken. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. . .—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.1 A Kingdom leader’s experience and realization of God’s continuous, unmerited, favor molds his heart. (God) comforts […]
When John’s two disciples followed Jesus, Jesus . . . said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), . . .1 Much of what a leader does is to communicate. “All good communication in life must begin with communication with God. That’s were truth is found.”2 Basically, […]
What is a leader? Base line, a leader is one who has followers. Are leaders endowed with a certain personality or trait that clearly identifies them? The Stanford marshmallow experiment was a series of studies on delayed gratification in the late 1960s and early 1970s led by psychologist Walter Mischel, then a professor at Stanford University.1 In these studies, a child was […]
