March 8-14, 2010

Theme:  Succor Amidst Suffering

I. Opening Prayer

O God, you manifest to us in truth, in love, in wisdom, in justice, and in love.  Join us in this time of prayer and devotion, that we may feel the wonder and joy of your presence, and by the power of your Spirit, lead us into a joyous encounter with the Son.  In Jesus name we pray.  Amen.

II. Passage of Praise     Psalm 32

III. Daily Bible Readings:

March 8, Monday     Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

March 9, Tuesday      Ephesians 2:1-10

March 10, Wednesday    Luke 8:40-56

March 11, Thursday     Psalm 137:1-6

March 12, Friday     Joshua 24:14-15

March 13, Saturday     Psalm 34:1-8

March 14, Sunday     Joshua 5:9-12

4^th Sunday in Lent     2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

IV. Moments of Reflection:  Silent and/or written

V. Sweet Hour of Prayer:  Personal and/or intercessory

VI. Hymn:  He Leadeth Me:  O Blessed Thought (UMH 128)

VII. Closing Prayer

O Lord, you who have afforded relief in times of pain, help in times of need, aid in times of want, bless us now with the empowerment of your Spirit, that we may be your channels of the same to others who are in distress.  Through Jesus Christ we pray.  Amen.

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March 15-21, 2010

Theme:  A New Life

I. Opening Prayer

O God of knowledge, life, and love; we come before you in praise and thanksgiving.  Amidst distress and grief we ask and plead for your presence.  Be with us to guide and inspire us in this devotion.  May our acts of piety and devotion be pleasing to you.  In the name of Jesus.  Amen

II. Passage of Praise     Psalm 126

III. Daily Bible Readings:

March 15, Monday     Jeremiah 31:31-34

March 16, Tuesday     1 Corinthians 15:1-28

March 17, Wednesday    John 12:20-26

March 18, Thursday     Philippians 3:12-31

March 19, Friday     Colossians 3:1-11

March 20, Saturday     Colossians 3:12-25

March 21, Sunday     Isaiah 43:16-21

5^th Sunday in Lent     Philippians 3:4b-14 John 12:1-8

IV. Moments of Reflection:  Silent and/or written

V. Sweet Hour of Prayer:  Personal and/or intercessory

VI. Hymn:  Lord of the Dance (UMH261)

VII. Closing Prayer

Our Lord of Heaven, truly we can only approach in praise, in thanks for your manifest goodness and mercy.  You have given us new life and the opportunity to be with you in eternity.  While we are still here in this world, guide us to be like your Son in doing good for our fellow men and women and allow us your Holy Spirit in the perfecting of our beings.  In the name of Jesus we pray.  Amen

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“The biggest tragedy is not death, but life without purpose.” These profound words struck me. They came from Sarah Balabagan.

Sarah Balagan is the 14 year old woman who killed her employer in the Middle East in the mid 90s. Her employer attempted to rape her. She defended herself, and killed her employer in the process. She was sentenced to be beheaded but was spared through the intervention of the government. To be pardoned she need only pay blood money and receive 100 lashes.

The blood money was paid through the help of government and private citizens. She endured the hundred lashes and was freed. She returned to the country with enough money and fame. Her life story was even made into a movie that starred Vina Morales as Sarah Balabagan.

According to her, she had enough. But what she would get after the incident is more than enough.

When she returned home from her ordeal, she became a Christian. This became the turning point in her life above and beyond her ordeal in the Middle East.

When she became a Christian she learned to forgive the two persons whom she said she so hated before: Her employer, and the person who lashed her 100 times. Not only that, she discovered her gift and her calling to minister as a messenger of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

The singer Dulce, a born-again Christian and her spiritual mother, encouraged and coached her singing. It was then that she discovered her gift of music. She became a gospel singer who sang original compositions that bore messages of thanksgiving, of being an OFW and persevering as a Christian. It was for this reason that I met her.

We organized a concert featuring her and her album “Salamat Sa ‘Yo” in Tayug United Methodist Church, Pangasinan last November. It was my privilege to organize the concert flow, print promotional tarpaulins, negotiate and prepare the venue, and print concert tickets. It was a fundraising concert for the Southeast Pangasinan District. In the process I got in touch with her through exchange of e-mails months before the concert.

Sarah is a picture of fulfilled womanhood. She has children. She is a face of calm and beauty. It’s a countenance one only gets from being with the Father. Her concert is filled with original songs and a real life story.

The 100 lashes she received left a deep emotional scar marked with hatred and strong resentment. But she sees her lashes as nothing compared to the lashes and beatings that Jesus took to bear the sins of the world. The brutality of the lashes she suffered remind her of our Savior’s love. While it took blood money and 100 lashes to free her from death by beheading, it took the Savior’s blood and more than 100 lashes to free her for a life of purpose.

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Greetings!

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness’.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

If there is one thing that is consistent throughout Scripture, it is this: God calls people when they are not ready. God will never call you into service when you think you are ready. This is intentional on God’s part.

And, you can be sure when God calls you, you will have similar responses as Saul did when he was called to be the first king, or Gideon, when he was called to take down the idols in his nation, or Moses, when he was called to deliver his people from Egypt.

Saul answered, “But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?” (1 Samuel 9:21)

“But Lord,” Gideon asked, “how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” (Judges 6:15)

But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11)

When God calls, you will most likely be in the most unlikely circumstances to receive that call. You will be in the midst of a crisis; you will lack resources; you will not have the skills you think you need. This too is the way of God.

God does this because He wants you to know your call is only based on His ability, not yours. When you think it is based on you, this is a false humility. And, it is unbelief and disobedience on your part.

Has God called you to something you have failed to do because you felt you were not ready? Repent before the Lord and let God accomplish great things through you. <(((><

—

Isn’t it funny that when we set off to find happiness or joy or
significance or meaning, we seldom find it? Instead, when we offer
to serve others and give ourselves wholeheartedly to the Lord and
his work, it is then that we find what we most need.

<(((><

image credit: KK via Flickr

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March 1-7, 2010

Theme:  Love Amidst Longing

I. Opening Prayer

God of love and life, we come before your mighty and awesome presence.  In the middle of a sea of humanity we feel the pangs of longing.  We discern our need for your indwelling.  Be with us, Lord, and bless us with your Spirit.  In the name of Jesus we pray.  Amen.

II. Passage of Praise     Psalm 63:1-8

III. Daily Bible Readings:

March 1, Monday      Psalm 63:1-8

March 2, Tuesday     Isaiah 57:15-19

March 3, Wednesday     Psalm 103:1-5

March 4, Thursday     John 6:22-40

March5, Friday      1 Corinthians 13:1-7

March 6, Saturday     Psalm 84

March 7, Sunday     Isaiah 55:1-9

3^rd Sunday in Lent     1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Luke 13:1-9

IV. Moments of Reflection:  Silent and/or written

V. Sweet Hour of Prayer:  Personal and/or intercessory

VI. Hymn:  Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee (UMH 89)

VII. Closing Prayer

O Lord, our God, whose mercy saves all who have faith in the Son, empower us through your love, that we who long for your presence may find everlasting life.  In the name of Jesus we pray.  Amen.

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I’m so blessed and grateful to have shared a table with a brother. It was at a membership fellowship dinner of the Gideons International last December in Rosales, Pangasinan, where I got to meet this profound fellow. His name is Arnold, and I’m glad to have met him.

I had looked forward to this dinner; I have been a part of this brotherhood since 2000. The Gideons International is a brotherhood, fellowship, and organization of Protestant and Evangelical Christian professionals and businessmen. We raise funds for printing copies of the Bible and have them placed in schools, offices, hotels, motels and hospitals, among others.

The Gideons is a very disciplined organization, and puts a high premium on time. If you arrive at 6.05 for a 6 PM dinner you will no longer be served. That is how disciplined this organization is.

I arrived on time and immediately took note of the brothers who were already there. You could tell from the crowd who the Gideons are because of their countenance and their bearing. Most of the elder Gideon brothers I know exude an air of nobility and dignity in them. They have a certain gentleness, calmness and dignity that is very noticeable.

It has always been my habit to pray and feel for God’s leading even in the most mundane things. I prayed for a seat and waited in my heart for an impression. I was led to the table second from the front.

To my front left sat a man with pomaded hair and wore clear eyeglasses. The fellow introduced himself as Brother Arnold. He is from Aguilar, from Gideon Dagupan Camp. During the course of the evening he narrated that he owns a farm in Aguilar; that he was once involved in politics; that he used to work with the judiciary; and that he studied at UP Los Banos.

When he asked me what I do I told him that I teach college. He then started sounding professorial, which created a profound impression in my heart. He spontaneously enthralled me with books and bits of history he had read.

“The Bible is the greatest dispensation of God to man,” quoted Brother Arnold from the philosopher Immanuel Kant. It was then that I learned that Immanuel Kant was a Christian. I enjoy Kant’s philosophical tenets but I never knew that the philosopher was a Christian. For this I am grateful to Brother Arnold.

“Where are my friends?” Napoleon Bonaparte said. “I conquered the world through war and arms, but this Jesus, he conquered the world with love and yet until now, many are being conquered by his teaching and many are willing to die for him even if they did not see him. Now I am incarcerated, I ask, where are my friends?” Brother Arnold quoted poetically.

He offered this anecdote along with his quotes of scripture and famous people. It tells of a male college student who stayed at the dorm of a university. It was the 1970s, and the mini skirt was in fashion. This male student could not help but feast and look at the beautiful legs visibly offered by this trend. Along with it came the insatiable lust for such a visual feast but he started wondering if what he was doing is wrong.

One day while in the dorm he opened the Bible, and there he realized that “whosoever looks on a woman with lust in his eyes has already committed adultery in his heart”. These words were enough to convict and change him. He started reading the Bible on a daily basis as his life’s textbook; there he came to know Christ. That college student was Brother Arnold.

He is among those who have a deep sense of conviction and wisdom – those who create a lasting impression. We could have talked more but time would not allow. I am grateful that I sat with him. It was another blessed moment of Serendipity.

Indeed, “all scripture is God breathed or Spirit-inspired and useful for teaching, rebuking, reproof, and for instructing (sic) in the Christian life.”

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Greetings!

“For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12)

I love Stacie Orrico’s song “Don’t Look at me.” She sings, “Don’t look at me if you’re looking for perfection. Don’t look at me, I will only let you down. I’ll do my best to point you in the right direction. Don’t look at me, look at Him.”

These lyrics remind me of a resounding theme I noticed recently in Mark 15:9-10, Matthew 23:1-39 and Luke 18:9-14: leaders who shined the spotlight on themselves. They had no interest in making Jesus the main attraction. God pulled a few lessons out of each passage for me to do the mirror test on my heart. The problem that tripped up the leaders in Jesus’ day might look familiar to you and me:

Lesson #1 – Envy

The chief priests were burning with envy over the popularity of Jesus. He had only been on the scene for three years, yet the marketplace was always buzzing with the latest Jesus story! Perhaps the chief priests wondered, “Why is HE the center of attention? What makes HIM the authority figure?” Envy is a poison we may not even recognize. We give it a nicer title like “keeping up with the Jones” or “climbing the corporate ladder,” but being upset with someone else’s success is a bone-rotting toxin. Proverbs 14:30 confirms it saying, “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones” (NIV).

Lesson #2 – Practice What You Preach

The leaders were busy barking legalistic orders to others, but didn’t apply the rigid rules to their own lives. Legalism is a strict adherence to the law and rules, and usually packs a punch of guilt if the regulations aren’t followed to the letter. James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (NIV). The leaders of Jesus’ day had great amounts of scripture memorized, but did not live it out. They focused on the rules and making others follow them, rather than on pleasing God. If we are focusing on keeping rules and rituals, instead of building a relationship with Jesus, we too are missing the point. Maybe shifting our angle is in order. Look up. Let Bible study move us past just reciting scripture to allowing its life-giving Spirit to penetrate our actions.

Lesson #3 – All For Show

Dressing up and looking good made the Pharisees believe their own press. They seemingly had it all together. Do we act that way too? When asked, “How are you?” Do we put on a happy face and respond, “Fine,” when in fact, all is not fine? Do we fear what people will think or how they will react if they know we messed up again? It’s easy to think, “My issues are nobody’s business.” Truth is, they are God’s business because you belong to Him.

Lesson #4 – Clean The Inside

“Woe to you,” Jesus repeated over and over to the Pharisees throughout Matthew 23. The junk that was brewing inside their hearts didn’t resemble the righteous life they claimed to live.

Everyone sees our pretty outside attire, but God knows what’s going on beneath the surface. When He cleans house, He starts on the inside. What’s lurking in your dark corners? If self indulgence, self-reliance, or self-centeredness has camped out in your heart, let the housecleaning begin! Soon your outer beauty will radiate your new inner beauty.

This mirror test revealed some junk in my life. What did you see in your reflection? A prideful heart, or a passion for Christ? Are you wanting others to look at you, rather than God? Psalm 10:4 says, “In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.” Pride is a venom. Making room for God takes deliberate action. As the song says, “Don’t look at me, look at Him.”

Dear Lord, pride can camp out so easily in our hearts. Will you clean us from the inside out and let us reflect You? In Jesus’ Name, Amen. <(((><

—

Father God, I greet today as your gift and a reminder of your faithfulness.
Each day the sun rises I anticipate the day you honor your promise
to send your Son back to bring us home to you.
Give me a keen sense today of your faithful presence.
I pray this through him in whom all your promises find their fulfillment. Amen.

<(((><

image credit: freestone via Flickr

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February 22-28, 2010

Theme:  Ministry and Sacrifice

I. Opening Prayer

Our Heavenly Father, open our hearts, minds, our very senses and being, through the power of the Holy Spirit to allow us to perceive your presence in our midst.  Prepare us for this hour of devotion in the name of Jesus.  Amen

II. Passage of Praise     Psalm 27

III. Daily Bible Readings:

February 22, Monday     Isaiah 6

February 23, Tuesday     John 13:1-20

February 24, Wednesday    Matthew 10:5-15

February 25, Thursday    Acts 6:1-15

February 26, Friday     James 1:12-18

February 27, Saturday     1 Peter 2:18-25

February 28, Sunday     Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18

2^nd Sunday in Lent     Philippians 3:17-4:1 Luke 13:31-35

IV. Moments of Reflection:  Silent and/or written

V. Sweet Hour of Prayer:  Personal and/or intercessory

VI. Hymn:  O God Our Help in Ages Past (UMH 117)

VII. Closing Prayer

May our God who is constantly and faithfully abiding in us grant us harmony with one another and oneness with Jesus Christ, that together as a community of faith we may serve our sisters and brothers in humility and love.  In the name of our Savior we pray.  Amen.

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Greetings from Frisco TX!

Just as you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us – see that you also excel in this grace of giving. (2 Corinthians 8:7)

Dr. F. W. Meyer once commented on this verse, saying, “Probably there is no greater test of our true religion than our behavior in giving. How few, comparatively, give in proportion to their income! How few give systematically! How few have learned the joy and luxury of giving, so that they abound therein!”

The joy and luxury of giving!

We can well understand the joy of giving. Even a child’s heart is brightened by seeing the joy his gift brings to another. But the luxury of giving? The Lord not only provides our needs; He gives us enough to share with others from the overflow.

Just as God gives us faith to trust Him more; just as He gives us speech to share His message; just as He gives us knowledge to understand His Word; so He also gives us enough to support His work.

In the next chapter, Paul wrote, “You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion.” (2 Corinthians 9:11)

Let’s excel in the joy and luxury of giving! <(((><

—

God’s gift to us is who we are and
our gift to God is who we become.

<(((><

image credit: Ruth Flickr

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February 15-21, 2010

Theme:  God Forgive Us, Your Children

I. Opening Prayer

O God, in mystery and silence you are present in our lives, bringing new life out of destruction, hope out of despair, growth out of difficulty.  We thank you that you do not leave us alone but labor to make us whole.  Help us to perceive your unseen hand in the unfolding of our lives, and to attend to the gentle guidance of your Spirit, that we may know the joy you give your people. Amen.

-Ruth Duck U.S.A., 20^th Cent.

II. Passage of Praise     Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16

III. Daily Bible Readings:

February 15, Monday     1 Peter 3:18-22

February 16, Tuesday     Romans 9:19-29

February 17, Wednesday        Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Psalm 51:1-17

(Ash Wednesday)                   2 Cor. 5:20b-6:10; Matt. 6:1-6, 16-21

February 18, Thursday   Acts 9:1-30

February 19, Friday   Psalm 25:4-10

February 20, Saturday   Mark 1:9-15

February 21, Sunday   Deuteronomy 26:1-11

1^st Sunday in Lent   Romans 10:8b-13     Luke 4:1-13

IV. Moments of Reflection:  Silent and/or written

V. Sweet Hour of Prayer:  Personal and/or intercessory

VI. Hymn:  The Lord’s Prayer (UMH 269)

VII. Closing Prayer

Almighty God, whose love allowed Jesus to be with human beings, whose mercy allows forgiveness of all our sins, affording us the way to eternity in your awesome presence, dismiss us now with strength and power to serve you and our fellow human beings.  In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray.  Amen.

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Ang lobo ay isang tuso, salbahe at maloko na hayop. Sa maraming lugar gasgas na gasgas na ang lobo sa pagganap ng mga karakter na nabanggit. Sa kabilang banda, ang tagak ay hindi naman kasing sikat ng nauna, tinitignang patpatin, mahina at walang ka porma-pormang ibon. Minsan ang dalawang ito na magkasalungat ang katangian ay nagkaroon ng hindi malilimutang karanasan sa isa’t-isa. Nagsimula ito ng yayain ng lobo ang tagak sa isa di umanong espesyal na hapunan, kung saan ang lobo ay naghain ng isang payak na handa para sa kanilang dalawa. Hindi malaman ng tagak kung ano ang kaniyang mararamdaman, sapagkat tanggap nito sa sarili na hindi siya ma-appeal, na hindi siya agaw pansin. Pero dahil sa unang pagkakataon ay nakatanggap siya ng paanyaya, pumunta ito bilang pag-papaunlak.

Napakaganda ng lugar ng hapunan, pero laking gulat nito nang ihain na ng lobo ang ipinagmamalaki nitong handa, isang espesyal na sabaw. Ngunit mas nakakagulat ay ang paghandog ng lobo sa panauhin, dahil nakalagay ito sa isang malapad na plato. Panay ang pag-alok ng lobo sa tagak na humigop ng maraming sabaw dahil pinaghandaan talaga niya ang tagak. Pero sa ibang anggulo ay ngumingisi ang lobo dahil hirap na hirap ang tagak na lasahan ang sabaw, dahil sa mahaba niyang tuka ay napaka-imposibleng mahigop niya ang sabaw, samantalang ang lobo ay walang kahirap-hirap. Sa bawat hagod ng dila ng lobo ay nasisimot ang sabaw sa malapad na plato. Di nagtagal ay sumuko na rin ang tagak, talagang walang pag-asa ang bulong nito sa sarili, samantala ang lobo naman ay busog na. Nang malao’y nagpaalam na ang tagak, nagpasalamat pa rin sa lobo kahit alam niyang nahamak nanaman siya nito. Sabi ng lobo, “Hay salamat tagak, sana nasiyahan ka, ikaw lang ang ipinaghanda ko niyan eh…” ang maarte nitong tugon habang pigil na pigil sa mukha nito ang ngisi ng isang tuso, pilyo at maloko. Nakakailang hakbang pa lamang ang tagak palayo sa nakangising lobo ng bigla ito lumingon. “Sa susunod na araw ay kaarawan ko, gusto kitang anyayahan sa isang hapunan bilang aking panauhing pandangal,” ani ng tagak sa lobo. Nagtaka at nagulat ang lobo subalit sumagot din ito ng oo, ngunit di nag lao’y tumawa na nang tumawa ang lobo sa kalokohang ginawa niya.

Dumating na ang takdang araw, buong kayabangang nagpunta na ang lobo sa handaang pangkaarawan ng tagak. Puting-puti ang paligid, mangyari ay puro tagak ang panauhin. Nang masulyapan na ng tagak ang hambog na lobo, agad niya itong sinalubong at inanyayahan sa upuang pandangal. Medyo nakataas ang lugar ng lobo, katabi ang punong abala. Nagsalita ang tagak, “Mga kasama, ito ang ikinukuwento kong lobo, kailan lamang ay naging panauhin ako sa kaniyang tahanan. Dahil mahilig siya sa sabaw ito rin ang aking handa ngayon.” Medyo nahiya ang lobo at nagsimula na rin siyang kabahan. Nang ihandog na sa kanila ang sabaw, napamulagat ang lobo dahil hindi kasi ito nakalagay sa malapad na plato tulad ng ginawa niya kundi ito ay nakalagay sa isang bote na may mahabang leeg. Bagay na bagay ito sa mga mahahabang tuka ng mga tagak. Nang magsimula nang humigop ang mga tagak inalok na rin ang lobo ng katabi niyang tagak, at kahit anong lawit niya ng kaniyang dila di man lamang makadampi ang dulo ng dila niya sa sabaw. Hiyang-hiya nag lobo. Nang pauwi na siya sinabihan siya ng tagak, “Alam kong hindi ka nagdamdam.” Tumango lang ang lobo at umalis nang hiyang hiya.

Sa kuwentong ito, hindi lahat ng bagay ay naipapanalo ng malakas at ng tuso. May mga pagkakataong ang malakas at makapangyarihan ay labis na hihiyain ng mahihina. Sabi nga ni San Pablo, “Huwag mong akalaing nakatayo ka at baka ka mabuwal”. Ang buhay ay dapat makita natin na pana-panahon, ang mundo ay bilog, at ang kapalaran ay gulong. Kung ganito nating titignan ang buhay, magiging mabuti at mababa tayo sapagkat alam nating walang permanente. Ang kayamanan, kapangyarihan at kasikatan ay panandalian lang lahat, ang mapang-api ay may panahon din upang mawalan na ng kakayanang mang-api, at kung mamalasin pa ng husto ay baka siya naman ang aapihin kalaunan.

Maraming lobo sa ating lipunan, naghahari-harian, naniniwalang sila ay makapangyarihan kaya kung umasta ay parang kayang kaya ang lahat, minamaliit ang lahat. Pero sa totoo lang hindi man tayo makatapat ng tatalo sa atin, hindi naman natin kayang takasan ang kapangyarihan ng panahon. Sa kalauna’y mawawala rin. Ito sana ang matutunan ng mga mayayaman, sikat at may tungkulin sa lipunan at maging sa simbahan,.

Ang mga Eskimo ay may kakaibang paraan ng paghuli ng lobo. Ibinababad nila ang double bladed na kutsilyo sa dugo ng hayop, patutuyuin at muling ibababad, pagkatapos ay ibabaon ang tangkay nito habang ang talim ay nakalabas. Sensitibo ang ilong ng lobo sa dugo, at matapos nilang maamoy at matunton ang dugo sa patalim ay agad nila itong didilaan. Pagka nasimot na ang ipinahid na dugo, lalo pa silang magnanasa ng higit na dugo, at dahil taglamig, manhid ang kanilang dila at di nila namamalayang nasusugatan kada himod nila sa punyal. Sa ganoong pagkakataon ang dugo na kanilang labis na nagugustuhan dahil mainit-init at mukhang mas sariwa ay dugo ng kanilang hiwa-hiwang dila. Sa pagsikat ng araw, ang lobo ay matatagpuang nakabulagta at wala ng buhay.

Ganap ang aking pag-asa na ang mga lobo sa ating lipunan ay matitigil din sa kalokohan. Ang katakawan at kasakiman ay siguradong magdudulot ng kapahamakan kaninuman. Kayong mga lobo, magbulay-bulay kayo bago dumating ang panahong wala nang ibang natitira sa inyo maliban sa kasakiman at katakawan. Kayong mga tagak, huwag kayong mawawalan ng pag-asa. Bilog ang mundo, pag-ikot nito tiyak na papabor din sa inyo ito.

image credit: andreassolberg via Flickr

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Greetings!

“The person that serves you like a servant is the greatest person among you. Every person that makes himself better than other people will be made humble. Every person that makes himself humble will be made great.” (Matthew 23:11-12)

Humility is a greatly under-emphasized quality among humans.

We don’t know what it means. We don’t know how to appreciate it. We don’t know how to do it. And we are not all that sure we want to have it.

Culturally we’re much more drawn to the energetic, dynamic, charismatic, crowd-drawing leader. That’s who gets the headlines and the attention. But if we listen closely and watch carefully, we can see in Jesus someone who is humble, but strong; humble, but charismatic; humble, but crowd drawing; humble, but dynamic.

You see, the same Lord who stilled the storm and spoke to the crowds is the Lord who washed feet and died on a cross and held babies in his arms when it wasn’t politically correct.

So maybe we need to rethink humility and live it like Jesus did. Come to think of it, that’s exactly what we need to do; no maybe about it!

Let us be like Jesus and the humility comes along with the character!

O gracious Father, how and why you chose to become one of us in Jesus is too overwhelming to even fully contemplate. Yet your humility in redeeming us, Jesus’ humility in saving us, cuts such a deep impression on my heart that I want to be more like him. And on those days, dear Father, when I am too big for my own britches, humble me gently by reminding me of Jesus’ willing service to redeem me and bring me into your family. In the name of Christ the Lord I pray. Amen. <(((><

—

Ask! So often we’re afraid to ask for help because we have to admit we don’t have the answers. Seek! Effort and interest and
perseverance are necessary and that’s sometimes hard. Knock! In an era of doorbells, this is a forgotten action. But God wants us to
use the A.S.K. principle and bring our hearts before him. So let’s don’t just whine, complain, desire, and want.

Let’s A.S.K. our Father and seek his glory.

<(((><

image credit: Eidos_Mena via Flickr

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February 8-14, 2010

Theme:  God’s Word… In Us

I. Opening Prayer

Our heavenly Father, we your humble children invoke your blessings on us.  We adore you, whose name is love, whose nature is compassion, whose presence is joy, whose Word is truth, whose Spirit is goodness, whose holiness is beauty, whose will is peace, whose service is perfect freedom, and in knowledge of whom stands our eternal life.  Unto you be all honor and all glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

II. Passage of Praise     Psalm 99

III. Daily Bible Readings:

February 8, Monday      Matthew 18:1-5

February 9, Tuesday     Matthew 15:1-20

February 10, Wednesday    Matthew 10:32-42

February 11, Thursday    Matthew 5:1-12

February 12, Friday     Matthew 5:13-16

February 13, Saturday     Matthew 6:9-13

February 14, 2010     Exodus 34:29-35

6^th/ Last Sunday after the Epiphany   2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2

Transfiguration Sunday    Luke 9:28-36 (37-43)

IV. Moments of Reflection:  Silent and/or written

V. Sweet Hour of Prayer:  Personal and/or intercessory

VI. Hymn:  O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing (UMH 57)

VII. Closing Prayer

May the love and presence of the Father, the care and community of the Holy Spirit, and the hope and faith in Jesus Christ abide in us all, now and forevermore.  Amen.

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