Sunday Lessons: Do things for the approval of God.

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him."

                                                                                                  - Matthew 5-8

It's easy to get our priorities all mixed up. Sometimes, the things we are supposed to do for God end up being done for the approval of our audience. We end up being performers in a play with a hundred facades, eager to please anyone who's watching. Sometimes doing the right thing becomes appearing to do the right thing--doing righteous acts with the wrong motives.

“The true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching.”

                                                           - John Wooden

I'd like to revise that quote and change "when no one is watching" to "when only God is watching."

Let's not be hypocrites. Let's not blow trumpets when we pray, when we fast, or when we help. Let's do things for the approval of God, not for the praise of people.

Sunday Lessons: A disaster may be God's gateway for you and me.

"For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand 

and says to you, 

Do not fear; I will help you." 

                                 - Isaiah 41:13

No one saw it coming.

Well, scientifically, no one could see it coming. Earthquakes cannot be predicted. Technology, in all its advancements, still has not found a way to foresee the occurrence of earthquakes.

Some say it's a punishment, a manifestation of God's wrath. 

Maybe it is; maybe it's not.

Maybe, just maybe, it's a call.

Suffering does not come from God, but I believe that God allows suffering so that we can stop thinking of ourselves and start thinking about others.  

The charity and kindness I've witnessed--first during the Zamboanga crisis, and now the Bohol-Cebu calamity--have blown me away. We Filipinos have shown that regardless of differences, we are one people. We have shown that we all have something to give--cash, kind, service, prayers--and that no one has too little after all. That what God has given us, we can share with those in need.

Right now, we are still collecting funds for the next batch of relief goods for the earthquake victims. I could swear that God had called me by name for this. He lit a fire in my heart, and I was so restless. It was a beautiful kind of restlessness, though. It was a restlessness that made me look forward to waking up in the morning. It was a restlessness that told me I could do something, that He could use me, that I could make a change.

October 15, 2013 -- Chong Hua Hospital. Photo by Wendell Stars Contento

"Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."

                                    - John 13:34

He is calling us. Let's answer Him.

Clarity

In the distance, the sun is sinking—the sunlight casting golden highlights in her hair, on her hands, on her feet.

Light filled every corner, every crack. Suddenly she can sense everything in perfect clarity. The sky has never been bluer. The clouds have never been whiter. She has never felt so free.

She was seeing the world for the first time. The world, she realized with staggering wonder, is a beautiful place.

Inspired a bit by Zhang Jingna and a lot by this moment.

When Skies Are Grey

Sunday Lessons: In prayer, there are miracles.

"Is there any miracle too great for the Lord to perform?"

Do you believe that prayer can end wars, stop floods, and heal broken hearts? I do.

I asked God to take away my pain, and He did. I prayed for the rain to stop, and it did. I prayed for an on-time flight last Friday, and the plane arrived 9 minutes ahead of schedule.

Our God is a mighty God. He can hear our every prayer--from the softest whispers to the loudest cries. The answer may not come at once, but it will come. In His time. In His perfect time.

"Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete."

                                              - John 16: 24

Let Praise Awaken

From not knowing them to having one of the best nights of my life. 

The Planetshakers' praise concert turned out to be one of the highlights of my year, and possibly my entire lifetime.

Words still fail, still fall short. Words can't convey how amazing that night has been.