Devotion

BROTHER AND SISTER

Scripture: Matthew 12:46-50

For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.
- Matthew 12:50

We've been to many places and apparently attended different churches. We observed and fellowship with them. We were welcomed and they treated us like a sister, sister in Christ. "For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother," all believers are our family. We are one. Ano ba dapat yung treatment natin sa kanila? Love, respect. Yun ang napapansin nating kulang sa ibang church that we attended. Hindi magkaka kilala and no pakialam at all. It's not what God wants. Let's chat after every service, kumustahan or have a date with them. Our brothers and sister need that. It's doing the will of the Father.


GOOD GIFTS

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-12

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will Your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!
- Matthew 7:11

Marami na tayong natanggap na gifts simula pagkabata. Mapa material, emotional or spiritual man ito. We thank God for that. Marami din tayong hiniling at pinag pray sa Kanya na binigay Niya, maraming hindi. The world offer many things, opportunities to us. Aren't you tempted to grab it? In the same way good gifts din yun because it'll lead you to success. But is it God's will? Marami na tayong mga opportunities na pinalagpas which we think will lead us to success but it isn't God's will.

Everything we have right now, consider it good gifts from our Father above. He knows what's best for us and looking forward each day for more of His grace. Some of it we never ask but He gave it, His good pleasing and perfect will.


THE ALABASTER JAR

Scripture: Matthew 26:6-13

The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.
- Matthew 26:11

What a waste Jesus' disciples said. Sayang yung perfume pinanghugas lang ng paa. Ang mahal kaya di ba? Pero sabi ni Jesus as I will paraphrase it, "Ang pera nahahanap lang pero yung oras, tithes ay meron at nakalaan na para lang sa Akin." Ano ba yung pinakamahal na gamit natin? Yung parang alabaster natin na parang sayang kung ibibigay natin kay God. It's not a waste. Walang sayang 'pag ibigay natin kay God. He'll be delighted whatever it is dahil galing sa ating puso..

What's your alabaster? What can you give to God?

SPARING OUR ENEMIES

Scripture: 1 Samuel 24:1-22

When a man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed? May the Lord reward you well for the way you treated me today.

- 1 Samuel 24:19

What will you do when someone tries to kill you? Or what would you do when one of your loved ones was killed and you saw it? Revenge di ba? Or siguro you would do the same two times the hurt. So painful talaga. But David demonstrated opposite reaction. I mean everyone is doing revenge, why can't he? It sounds absurd. David saved Saul's life in spite of everything. Nagpakumbaba siya and he was reminded by God.

If we don't have God in our lives maybe maraming decisions sa buhay natin that we were dead physically and spiritually. God directs our thoughts and minds. Ayaw niyag mapahamak tayo. Kaya, enemies, beware. God is in control pa rin. Pray for them and do the other way and they'll see the good ness of God.

WORKING FOR THE LORD

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:20-24, 45-58

Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
- 1 Corinthians 15:58c

Marami tayong ginagawa araw-araw but it doesn't mean we can't work for other things, we can't work for God. Sabi pa nga sa isang verse, "In everything you do work at it with all your heart as if working for the Lord." So it's in everything we do. Hindi ibig sabihin hindi ka worker ng church ay di ka na nagwowork for God. "Your labor is not in vain". When we sacrifice our time for God, tiyak na di yun sayang. Minsan ganun tayo. Everyday sa working place and have to manage our time wisely. But when we hear God's whisper 'wag tayong aangal sa mga pinagagawa Niya sa atin. Konting oras lang naman yung hinihingi niya.

Let us give ourselves fully! God is always watching us. He is our great reward. Working for Him is not in vain.

GOD DISCIPLINES

Scripture: Hebrews 12: 1-11

Endure hardship as discipline, God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by His father.
- Hebrews 12:7

Are you experiencing hardships? Yes we do. Do you know why? We don't think so.

God is disciplining us like our biological father. God gives instances wherein He wants us to learn and develop something, to learn something new and efficient. Without discipline we can't maybe understand His will: discipline in studies, treating people, teaching the Word. He has His own strategy. When we are disciplined means we are loved, dearly loved by God. So, paghandaan ang sarili araw-araw because everyday God has something for us.


FREEDOM

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-13

You my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.
- Galatians 5:13

We are free. We live in a free country. We are blessed, isn't it? Kasi di lahat ng tao natatamasa ang kalayaan whether in speech, religion, love, etc. We are called to be free sabi ng Scripture. Ngunit di ibig sabihin free tayo ay magagawa na natin lahat. Yan ang nangyayari sa mundo ngayon. Wrong use of freedom! Some are living in sin, indulging with it. Akala ng iba yung freedom ay pansarili lang, they forget to do it for God. Inaabuso ng iba ang freedom and they justify their wrongs. They justify their sins at nagiging katanggap-tanggap na ito sa lahat.

God set us free. Pero may mga bagay na dapat ipinapanalangin at pinag-aaralan. Alamin natin if it pleases God. Di ibig sabihin free ay magagawa na lahat. Search our hearts pa rin because we are a living sacrifice.

ACCUSED

Scripture: Genesis 39:1-23

The Lord was with him (Joseph); he showed him kindness and granted favor in the eyes of the prison warden.
- Genesis 39:21

Joseph was a very good man. He was trusthworthy. Ngunit sa kabila ng kabutihan niya may mga tao talagang gustong gawan siya ng mali. Ganun din sa atin di ba? Ngunit di siya nagpatinag sa tukso sa asawa ni Potiphar. Pero gumawa pa rin ng kasamaan yung asawa ni Potiphar. Tuloy, pinaratangan si Joseph ng rape na di naman niya ginawa at ikinulong. But the Lord was with him. God showed him kindness and never leave him. Kahit nasa prison si Joseph, God's provision was there. Walang sinuman nanakit sa kanya dahil alam ni God na wala siyang kasalanan.

Naakusahan na ba kayo na di niyo ginawa? Ano yung pakiramdam? Ano ang ginawa niyo upang patunayan na mali ang ibinibintang sa yo? I hope this passage will remind us that kahit anong mangyari, bumaliktad man ang tingin ng ibang tao sa atin ay di tayo matitinag 'cause God is with us. Huwag din tayo padala sa tukso tulad ni Joseph.

WHAT IF WE KNEW

Scripture: ACTS 1:1-11

He said to them: "It is not for you to know for you the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
- Acts 1:7-8

What if we knew what will happen in the future? Maybe the world may not as miserable as it is. Things maybe in order, perfect. No suffering, delusion and war.Everything will take its place. But it can't be because we have a God. We have an authority and He is in control.

It is not for us to know everything because God want us na hanapin Siya at magtiwala sa kapangyarihan Niya. Paano na lang kung alam natin lahat? For sure we'll lean on our own understanding.

We will be God's witness throughout the world. The Holy Spirit will be our guide. Kaya mabuti at mainam pa rin yung hindi natin alam ang future dahil magtitiwala tayo sa Diyos. Mas may alam Siya sa ikakabuti natin.


I'LL STAND BY YOU

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9

No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life... I will never leave you nor forsake you.
- Joshua 1:5

Wow! Isn't it amazing someone will stand by you? Tuwing may aaway sa yo, in times when you're between life and death, someone will stand by you. At eto pa mas matindi, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." That's God's promise. Isa lang to sa mga million promises Niya sa atin kahit 2000 years ago Niya pa itong sinabi ginagawa Niya pa rin ito everyday. Although sometimes we feel so alone and forsaken. Nakakalimutan natin na sinabi Niya pala ito. Naku, tayo talagang mga tao.

He is in control, at pagsinabi Niya, gagawin Niya na walang pag-aalinlangan. Kaya be secured because God will stand by you.

TOTAL OBEDIENCE

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."

-Luke 5:5

Wow, so amazing ang great obedience ni Simon kay Jesus. Ilang oras na silang nagwowork, ginawa na nila ang lahat pero wala pa ring nangyari. At 'nung si Jesus ang nagpababa ng mga nets ay, Yun! May blessing!

Sometimes, like Simon, ginagawa natin ang lahat sa work, school, even sa church activities. Pero nakakalimutan na nating mag PAUSE. Pause for a while to hear God's message to us. Di natin minsan naririnig yung mga sinasabi ni God in the middle of our busy schedule eh may mga madaling paraan pala Siya. God should be our Lord of all, di lang sa Sunday pati rin sa Monday until Saturday. This shows total obedience. Simon left everything after he realized kailangan talagang laanan ng pansin ang spiritual things. God called him for that.

Iba-iba man yung calling natin wag kalimutan sino yung sinusunod natin, whom we obey. Total obedience to God.

RESCUE

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 107

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress.
- Psalm 107:6

Surely the Lord will rescue us in times of troubles. Look what happened in Psalm 107. He always save those His own. He always made a way to deliver the ones who acknowledge Him as God. He provides and continue to bless.

Are you in trouble? Do you need a rescue? Call on God. For whoever calls in His name will be saved. Nothing is impossible with Him. Like a rescuer team in times of calamity you have to trust and wait for Him. He will surely answer. 

More than Believing

SCRIPTURE: John 11: 38-44

Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"

Ano bang ginagawa natin para maniwala sa atin ang isang tao? Sa sales, mga discounts and promos yung ini introduce natin, di ba? How about sa pagkain? Siyempre patitikman natin sa kanila, pa eexperience natin ang langhap sarap ng isang dish. How about sa faith natin? How can we encourage to believe others to Christ?

Mary was hopeless kahit na andun si Jesus. Although natuwa siya na dumating si Jesus but her worries never gone. Kaya nasabi ni Jesus, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" This pertains Mary doubted Jesus' power di ba? What Jesus is trying to convey to us is trusting Him is not just believing but more than that. More than believing. He wants a commitment in which we hold on to, panghahawakan natin kahit anong mangyari. And then we'll see His glory.

Trust is a big word. This is not just a worldly perspective but more on the spiritual aspect. How to build trust to someone? How to see the glory of God not just believing but more than believing? Here are points to ponder:

SURRENDER
It's hard to surrender kung alam mong may magagawa ka pang paraan in times of trouble. Karamihan kasi sa atin prayer is just an option. It must be a choice. We have to surrender our troubles through prayer nang sa ganun malabas mo lahat ng bigat sa puso mo.

RECALL
Remember what Jesus did to you in the past. The joy of your salvation. If God brings you to it, He will brings you through it. Remember how good He is until now. He never left you before mas lalo na ngayon na anak ka na Niya. Mahal ka ng Diyos kahit ano pa yung nakaraan mo.

SUBMIT (James 4:7)
Submit to His will. His will be done, kahit si Jesus nga di ba ganun. Mayroon talagang dapat isacrifice kung ano man yun tiyak na mabuti yun para sa iyo dahil God knows what's best. Hope for the best. At maging handa sa outcome gaya ng kapag nagpapasa tayo ng project sa teacher natin. Kung ano man yung maging score ay nakasalalay kay Jesus. Everything has a reason.

ACCEPT
Tanggapin kung ano mang nagyayari sa buhay natin. Mas luluwag yung kalooban natin. Di na tayo mag woworry at bawas wrinkles. Maging kontento tayo sa ibibigay ni Jesus.

HOPE (Job 13:15)
Negative or positive man yung nangyayari sa buhay natin dapat tayo ay magkaroon ng pag-asa. Dahil habang buhay tayo ay may pag-asa. Hope is in the Lord. And surely He will never fail us.

Believing is not only in our minds. It's an action word. We have to step out in faith. Marami pang miracles na gagawin si God sa buhay natin at sa mundong ito. Let's live and experience His promises. 

Stop Judging

SCRIPTURE: JOHN 7:14-24

Stop judging by mere appearances, and make right judgment.
- John 7:24

Lahat naman siguro tayo guilty nito. We judge others by their appearance, how they talk, walk, etc. Minsan di maiwasan especially yung isip natin. Nakakahiya ano? Tapos tingnan natin sarili natin ganun din. Nakakatawa.

Jesus was also judged by people during His time here on earth. Kasi di ba sinasabi Niya na He is the Son of Man, Son of God, King pero mahirap Siya. Tatay Niya si Joseph and mama Niya si Mary. Who would ever believe it? Merely appearance noh. Stop judging, sabi Niya. Tama nga naman. Yung taong pinipintasan natin mas magaling pa sa atin, mapapahiya lang tayo. Gaya ng nangyari dito sa kuwento. Let's make a right judgment. Yun bagang nakakatulong sa tao at sa sitwasyon. Hindi yung puro pamimintas lang.

Don't be afraid

SCRIPTURE: JOHN 6:16-24

A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough when they had rowed three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrrified. But he said to them, "It is I; don't be afraid."
-John 6:18-20

When we are in trouble, minsan lumalayo tayo kay God. Nadadala tayo sa malakas na hangin ng problema. Takot ang nararamdaman natin. But what the Scripture is trying to say to us saan man tayo magpunta, ano man ang gagawin natin ang Diyos ay parating nandyan. Di man natin Siya maramdaman in times na almost malulunod na tayo sa mga paghihirap natin, di Niya tayo hinahayaang masaktan dahil mahal na mahal Niya tayo. At ito ang sasabihin Niya, "Huwag kang matakot, andito lang Ako." Kailan man di nawala si God because He is everywhere and with us whatever we do.

GOD AT WORK

Scripture: JOHN 5:16-30

Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I too, am working."
-JOHN 5:17

Everyday tayong ngtratrabaho. Sa bahay man ito or sa workplace (job) natin. Minsan napapagod tayo especially kung marami at tambak ang trabaho. But God never stops working. Akala natin di Niya tayo mahal kasi walang pagbabagong nangyayari sa mga prayers natin. But God never stop. Eh tayo naman dapat never stop working for Him. Kaya pala minsan delay mga answered prayers natin from Him kasi nakakalimutan natin Siya. Si Jesus nga eh di din exempted, nagwowork din Siya during His time here on earth.

So ano man yang ginagawa mo para kay God, don't stop working for Him. In due time, in His time He will lift you up.

See to Believe

Scripture: JOHN 4:43-54

"Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe."
-John 4:48

Tama nga naman, "to see is to believe." This is a common principle of human. Pero spiritually, different sya. No one saw God, di ba? But we can see God in the lives of people living for Him. Amazing noh? Ngunit marami pa rin ang di naniniwala kahit marami ng milagrong ginawa si God sa buhay ng tao. Sa kadahilanang minsan tayo ay nanalangin at di binigay ang sagot sa atin. Humingi ngunit di tayo binigyan. Minsan kasi di natin maintindihan na may mas mabuting plano si God. Kulang din tayo sa paniniwala at pananampalataya na maipagkaloob Niya ang hinihingi natin. Dapat nating paniwalaan mga kapatid, lahat ng sinasabi ng Banal na Kasulatan. Di man natin alam sa ngayon ang kasagutan ngunit balang araw in God's time it will happen. We are a miracle and there's nothing to prove. God is God. 

Relating to others

SCRIPTURE: Galatians 5:13-15

The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
-Galatians 5:14

"Love your neighbor as yourself." Parati natin 'tong naririnig sa lahat ng tao kahit unbelievers. Pero sa totoo lang mahirap 'to gawin. Neighbor does not mean na kapitbahay mo lang pero lahat ng tao na nakapaligid sa 'yo. Mahirap mahalin ang mga taong nagdudulot ng sakit sa 'yo. So paano na lang? What God is trying to say to us treat them the way you want to be treated. Pero sa totoo lang mahirap talaga. This verse reminds us how to relate with others. Eh si Jesus nga di ba during His ministry here on earth maraming ayaw sa kanya. But still He showed love, mercy, forgiveness and died for us regardless of our sins. Let's learn to give out love unconditionally like Jesus did for us.   

Greater is He

Our Scripture for today is found in the Book of John 3: 22-36

He must become greater; I must become less.
-John 3:30 (NIV)

When we hear the word GREAT, what would come to our minds? Something that has power, ability and wisdom. May mga taong tittle na ganyan gaya ni Alexander the Great. These great people influenced many lives until now na binabasa nila yung biography nila. How about us? Who is great within us? Ourselves or God?

Sometimes when we do service to others, sarili natin yung pinupuri at gustong-gusto nating pinupuri tayo. "More of me and less of God" na ang kinalabasan. We don't excel much on church stuffs kasi "More of me and less of God". Kailan ba naging malaki si God sa buhay natin? Sa problema natin, mas malaki ba si God o mas malaki ang problema? Greater is He that's living in me than he who is in the world. In everything we do' let's learn to honor God. Si God ang papupurihan hindi ang sarili natin.

TRUST and OBEY

Before moving on  to the next story, let's share muna the Word of God to brighten our day.

SCRIPTURE: Luke 9:10-17

Jesus replied, "You give them something to eat." - Luke 9:13

The passage tackles about Jesus who feed the five thousand. The apostles answered Jesus that they have only 5 loaves of bread and 2 pieces of fish. Medyo nagtaka na sila di ba kasi pagkatapos nun pina group pa ito into fifty each ang mga tao. Ano kaya plano ni Jesus? Sa tingin mo ganun din ba 'Sya magplan sa 'yo?

Minsan ganyan tayo, di ba? Mahirap na nga ang situation, alanganin na tapos ganyan pa ang ipapagawa ni Lord sa atin. Naguguluhan na tayo. We really don't know. 'Yun pala may ibang plano ang Diyos.

And Jesus feed the 5 thousand. Amazing di ba? Akala natin di Niya na mapapakain ang lahat ng tao dun. Biruin mo naparami Niya ang 5 loaves bread and 2 fish. He provided. He always provide. If we only learn to trust and obey like what the apostles did, walang imposible. Mayaman si God and He always knows what's best for us. Mga pangarap mo, ambisyon at desire sa life na ito ay matutupad sa kaparaanan hindi ng mundong ito but by the grace of God. Let's trust kung ano mang mga bagay na nagpapa worry sa atin. Obey whatever His telling us to do.