Word For This Sunday - When God Uses Ordinary People (Genesis 12:1-3)

When God Uses Ordinary People (Genesis 12:1-3)

I am always fascinated with how God uses ordinary things and ordinary men to accomplish His supernatural purpose.  Through-out the Bible, we can see so many examples of this.  Who would have known that an ordinary shepherd boy will become a king?  Even Jesse his father never thought of David when Samuel came to their house to anoint the next king of Israel.  How about a dead piece of wood?  While others consider it as good only for cooking or making our body feel warm, God used it to demonstrate His awesome power.  Imagine what Moses would have felt whenever he obeys God to use his staff.  It parted the Red Sea, quenched the thirst of the Israelites, defeated the magicians of the Pharaoh, etc.  We can go on and on and we will not have enough time to mention them all but one thing’s for sure, God uses ordinary things and men to do His extraordinary work.

In the 12^th chapter of Genesis, we will see another ordinary man, he is in his mid-70, and most likely, he has already enjoyed what the good life has to offer.  Although he doesn’t have a son, for sure he has experienced God’s abundant blessings. Maybe he’s thinking of slowing down, retiring into a nice quiet place in Haran.

But as we all know it, God has another plan.  His story won’t end in a retirement village somewhere; in fact, God will use him for one great purpose – to bless the whole world.

Have you ever felt this way?  You think your life has reached its end.  Maybe some people think or say that way about you because of a certain incident in the past or because of your present situation.  For them, you won’t go anywhere, you have met your end - that God can’t use you anymore because you’re too old or too young; or because you’re weak; or because of your failures in the past.

Be encouraged by this – if God can use a 75 year old nobody and barren, then He can use as too to become His channel of blessing.  We’re no Abrahams, but we have the same God who up to know calls and uses His people for His extra-ordinary purposes.

Through Abraham’s example, we will see 3 important things when God uses ordinary people for His extra-ordinary purpose.

1. It all starts with a call! – (Genesis 12:1)  The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.

For Abraham, it wasn’t an easy call.  Imagine gathering all your belongings for the purpose of going on a trip.  He has already settled there for 75 years – made a family, and made a name for himself.  That place is his very comfort zone.  To make it worse, he won’t know where to go, until he starts the journey.  God is to show him where to go as he goes.  Why not just tell Abraham now?  When God calls, He wants us to fully trust in Him.  Sometimes He won’t tell us everything we need to know.  We are to fully live by faith and not by sight.

So yes, God starts it with a call but He wants us to pursue it by faith.  It won’t be easy and many times we won’t understand God’s ways and methods, but that is God’s way – using our physical senses won’t work.  Only through the eyes of faith can we see clearly.  As the Apostle Paul once said, our faith will become sight.  As we obey God and move in faith, then we will see and understand what He is doing in and through us.

2. We can not out-give God. – (Genesis 12:2)  "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.

It is interesting to see that God asked Abraham to do three things: (1) Leave your country; (2) Leave your relatives; (3) Leave your household.  Then God promised him also three things: (1) I will make you a great nation; (2) I will bless you; (3) I will make your name great.  It is not just that for every thing that Abraham would do for God, God has something for Abraham in return.  God multiplies a thousand-fold what Abraham gives Him.  As Abraham leaves his country, God makes him a great nation.  As Abraham leaves his relatives – his source of strength, comfort, encouragement and resources, God blesses him.  From now on, Abraham will get strength, comfort, encouragement and resources directly from God.  As Abraham leaves his household – the very place where he grew up, developed his being and the place where he got his name, God gives him a great name.

How many times have we experienced this?  The God whom we serve is mighty.  Whatever we give to Him, He gives back in ways beyond what we could ever imagine.  In Luke 6:38, it says, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

3. We become part of God’s purpose especially in blessing the whole world. – (Genesis 12:3)  I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

It’s not just that Abraham will be blessed but others will be blessed through him.  Abraham becomes God’s channel of blessing not just to the people around him but also to the whole world.  The Lord will only bless the world through him.

Wow, imagine what went on Abraham’s mind.  At 75 years old, for sure, Abraham has already become a part of many things.  He became part of his family, community, work, and even his country.  But this time, as he obeys God’s call, he will become a part of what God is doing in the whole world.

Our God is indeed bigger than what we think He is.  When we obey Him, the Lord widens the scope of our service.  It is true that if we can be trusted with little, He will entrust to us bigger things.  Our small step of obedience can result into something bigger – even as big as becoming God’s channel of blessing the whole world.

BK Day Care Ministry - The Story of Princess

We would love to share just one example of how our daycare is really impacting the lives of the street children and their families.  Princess is a six-year old street-child living in Metro Manila.  Her mother earns a meager salary as a pedicab driver in the community.  Her father, previously known for drinking excessively in the streets, is now in prison.  Ever since Princess was born, her mother felt distressed about how she would take care of her child.  When she gave birth to Princess, she couldn't afford the hospital costs to deliver the baby with any aid from a doctor or nurse. As Princess grew up, her parents couldn't afford to let her go to school.  However, once we opened our new daycare center, street children like Princess finally had a safe place to get an education, to look up to good role models, and to experience the grace, compassion, and love of the Lord.  Without a father figure, Princess bonded quickly with the male teachers and helpers in the daycare.  Her heart and attitude softened, and a new sense of joy was evident in her everyday life.  She experienced new feelings of confidence and accomplishment upon learning the alphabet and learning how to print her own name.

Princess's mother often tells us how happy and blessed she feels to know she now has help in raising her child.  One day, Princess's mother saw three of us walking in the rain, and she quickly offered to bike us home in her pedicab.  Even though she doesn't earn much through her job, she still tried to refuse our money when we paid her the fare.  She said that the reason why she didn't want us to pay is because she feels we have done so much for her and her family.  In fact, Princess's mother really wants to learn more about us volunteers and about our church.  She attended our church for the first time last Sunday!  Praise God for the way a mother can be moved and can experience blessings through our love for her daughter.  Only by the grace of God is our daycare able to influence entire families, and to Him we give all the glory!

Training Day Friday - Plans for 2011

TRAINING DEPARTMENT PLAN FOR 2011

Goals for the year 2011:

1. Be able to train 800 youth leaders in 65 different churches.
2. Be able to follow-up 500 youth leaders who have undergone OMT and Window’s YP Conferences.
3. To have 10 additional volunteers for the Training Dept who will work with us during OMT and other trainings of the Training Dept.
4. Be able to mentor and disciple 10 youth leaders who have experienced a mission exposure trip through YM Touch Trips.

Events & Activities

1. Overnight Modular Training  -  every 3^rd and 4^th  Friday & Saturday of the month
2. Window’s YP Conference/Missions Camp -  once a year (May)
3. Leader Mundial Manila (for Pastors and Church Leaders)  -  once a year (October 26-29)
4. Follow – up of Youth Leaders  -  once a month visit (partner churches) and weekly through email/fb (trained and sent)
5. Other Trainings and Seminars – (DVBS, Sunday School,  etc.) – upon request
6. Youth Ministry Conference (Small-scale conferences) -  1^st Friday/Saturday of the month
7. Mentoring and Discipleship - 2^nd Friday/Saturday of the month

Contact us:

To find out more about these events, contact any of the following:

Anne Benavidez (YM Training Director)

open_heavens777@yahoo.com

Mobile: +63283867339

Pen Pen Bullo (YM Partnership Director)

jopen927@yahoo.com

+639166593814/+639226891276/+639993948910

Che-Che Torredes (YM Secretary & Touch Trips Coordinator)

youthmobtouchtrips@yahoo.com 

+639166523427/+639293955533 

IT Tender Ministry's Drop-in Center

Meet the YM Team - Andrew Suarez, Teams Department Director

Andrew and Carmel Suarez's Testimony

My name is Lee Andrew Suarez.  I was born on May 06, 1985.  My wife’s name is Emily Tisado-Suarez.  To our friends and co-workers we are known as Andrew and Carmel.  We both work for International Teams Philippines (ITP) as fulltime missionaries under the Youth Mobilization team. Both of us also were full-time workers of our church before we became ITP missionaries.  I joined International Teams, first as a volunteer youth worker in 2004 and then became full-time in 2006. On the other hand, my wife joined ITP right after we got married in 2008.

My ministry with the Youth Mobilization team started with helping street kids and mentoring youths. Then the Lord enlarged the territory of my service as I have been given the responsibility of handling the YM team finances.  Also, I became the director for YM teams hosting department. Our job (Carmel and I) is to coordinate schedules, reserve venues for ministries and accommodations for the team, which we enjoy doing.  Furthermore my wife is in charge of the department’s communication.  She answers all the emails and informs teams the important things they need to know about working with the Youth Mobilization team.

I came to know the Lord when I was in high school when a friend invited me to attend a youth fellowship at our church. I just found myself coming to church afterwards. I was not a good boy then, I took high school for six years instead of just four years because I always skipped or cut classes. My mom cried a lot because of my ways and my dad was so mad at me. This was the lowest point of my life, I felt so wasted and hopeless but then God came and He changed my life.  He put meaning and purpose to it and called me to serve Him.

On the other hand Carmel came to know the Lord when she was in college and was running away from home. She hated God then because she felt that God was unfair and He didn’t care for her. But then again during those confusing time of her life God rescued her and called her for a higher purpose. She served as a volunteer youth leader in our church before she became a full-time church worker in year 2000.

Happy 3rd Anniversary JKKCC

Jesus King of Kings Through the Years

JKKCC Tambourine Dancers

Youth Night 2008

Water Baptism - June 28, 2008

Acoustic Night (2008)

Christmas Party (December 2008)

1st Church Anniversary (February 2009)

2nd Church Anniversary (February 2010)

Sunday's Word - I Samuel 17:47-49 - Facing Your Giant

Have you ever been in a situation where you felt so little?  It is like you are up against something gigantic that winning is impossible.  “Mismatched,” you would cry out!  You are facing your giant!  So you’re in a hopeless situation and the only feasible option is to either quit or surrender.     

It always breaks my heart when I see a sick person, that even with the help of the most sophisticated medical equipment still unable to recover from a certain debilitating disease.  Cancer, AIDS, deadly viruses, etc and many other diseases that scientists and doctors still could not cure.  Or that marriage that is about to breakdown, or that youth whose life is going down the drain because of drugs and other vices, or that man who seems to have lost all hope.  No one to turn to, nothing left to work on, trapped, lost, defeated.

No one else can identify more to this than the Israelites of the Old Testament.  They were still at war with the Philistines, and from all angles one can clearly say that they are no match.  The Philistines had iron weapons, the Israelites fought with slings and arrows.  The Philistines had chariots; the Israelites relied on pitchfork and knives.  To compound their problems, the Philistines had a hulking giant of a champion called Goliath, the Israelites had no one to challenge him, at least no one had the courage to come against him.  I Samuel 17:5-7 described Goliath this way, “⁵He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. ⁶And he had bronze armor on his legs and a bronze javelin between his shoulders. ⁷Now the staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam and his iron spearhead weighed six hundred shekels; and a shield-bearer went before him.  For forty days, morning and evening, Goliath would mock and defy King Saul and the Israelites, and they were all afraid and fled from him. 

Max Lucado in his book “Facing Your Giants” described Goliath’s actions so perfectly.  He said, "You know well the roar of Goliath…  First thought of the morning, last worry of the night – your Goliath infiltrates your day and infiltrates your joy.  So no one dared to stand up against Goliath, until one day.

One day, David shows up.  David the young, inexperienced, skinny boy - who is just a shepherd, and knows nothing about war but has a great passion for God in his heart.  He couldn’t believe that up to that day no one would stand up against Goliath – that uncircumcised Philistine, so he said that he would go against him.  He sees Goliath just like what the Israelite army sees, but he’s never intimated by his hulking biceps and tough armor.  He hears his mocking words just like what the Israelite army hears but he’s never afraid of him; remember how he described Goliath – just an uncircumcised Philistine.  David saw the giant Goliath but he also saw someone far gigantic than he is – David saw his big God.  We all know how the story unfolded, in the end, David defeated the giant and brought a big victory to all Israel but it all started when he stepped into the battle field, volunteered to fight Goliath and said, ““Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”  He stood up and defeated Goliath simply because he saw his big God.

The next verse declares that David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine.  When most people would retreat, David lost no time to finally meet this giant head on.  He rushed, he could wait no longer, it’s time to defeat this uncircumcised Philistine.  It’s one thing to show up in battle, it’s another thing to finish it.  It’s one thing to volunteer to fight Goliath, it’s another thing to finally do it.  I like how New King James stated verse 48, “that David hastened and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.”  David hastened, he ran.  He never waited for his muscles to become big and mature.  He never waited to learn more about military tactics and warfare.  He never waited for Goliath to grow weak.  He rushed to fight him.  He ran and killed him.  He rushed to get his victory.

I do believe in training and preparation.  Training and preparation have their rightful place in God’s plan.  But many times God’s timetable is better than any training and preparation.  When God says so, we don’t have any other response but to go.  Obedience to His call and direction prove to be the best training and preparation of all.  Just like in the case of David, his rushing action in obedience to the call of His God became his best preparation and training.  He came out of that experience better trained and prepared compared to all the Israelite army that trained all their lives just to fight battles such as this.

Finally, the Word of God declares, “And David put his hand into his bag and took from it a stone and slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead.  And the stone sank into his forehead, so that he fell on his face to the ground.”

Of all the weapons that can be used to defeat a giant like Goliath, God chose to use a stone.  Who would have ever guessed that a stone would kill this giant?  Goliath trained all his life, he had been a warrior from his youth.  He knew all kinds of weapon and knew how to defend himself against those weapons.  All, except God’s weapon – a simple stone.

The Bible is full of many examples of this.  How did the walls of Jericho fall?  The Joshua and the Israelites had to march around it.  How did Moses perform many miracles?  Through a staff – a dead branch he held in his hand.  How did King Jehoshaphat and the Israelites defeat the sons of Ammon and the sons of Moab?  In 2 Chronicles 20:22, when they began singing and praising God, the Lord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon and the sons of Moab, and they were routed.  Are 5 loaves and two fish enough to feed five thousand men?  Jesus has proven that it is enough.  And who ever showed that by dying you can bring life? All of us know that Jesus did.

Ordinary objects turned powerful tools in the hands of God.  Ordinary people used mightily to accomplished gigantic task.  In David’s case, a simple, ordinary stone from a brook brought down and killed a giant.

BK Saturday - The Story of Jessie Godes and the BK Daycare Ministry

(From top to bottom: Jet-Jet with his mom and brother, Adrian eating their food during the Day Care Christmas Party.  Jet-Jet with Justin, A Canadian Intern serving with the Youth Mobilization team.)

It is indeed a big privilege to share one example of how our Day Care Ministry is really impacting the lives of the street children and their families. Jessie Godes or “Jet-Jet”, although he is only four years old, spend most of his time on the street. Their father is a jeepney driver while their mother is a plain housewife. Where they live looks more like a large box than a house and when it rains, they get wet because of poor roofing and lack of proper water drainage system.  They also do not have electricity because they cannot afford to pay the electricity bill.

When we started to reach out to their community through our street children ministry Batang Krayola (BK), Jet-jet was the most shy child.  He didn’t want to associate and play with us and with the other kids. Although every week we visited him and his family and he also went to our feeding programs, somehow we felt that Jet-Jet still has a very important need. Jet-Jet, just like the many kids in the community needs a safe environment were he can learn how to read, write, play, and at a very young age, learn about right conduct and good character. The Lord used Jet-Jet to open our eyes to the idea of having a Day Care ministry in the Church, The Day Care Center will be a safe environment for them to learn and play.  In doing so, we can keep them off the street and at the same time provide them basic education. It is a place where they can learn not just how to read and write, but most of all, know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Since the start of the Day Care ministry, we were able to build relationships with Jet-Jet’s mother and with the other parents in the community. Right now, Jet-Jet’s mom attends the church regularly and an active member of the Women’s ministry.  She goes to the Bible Studies an prayer meetings of the church. Everyday she brings Jet-Jet  and his older brother Adrian to the Day Care center. Also, Jet-Jet is not shy anymore.  Aside from reading and writing, he has also learned to interact with other kids.  He has made a lot of friends already as he continues to learn how to write his own name.

Training Day Friday - Touch Cambodia

Thursday: IT Tender Day - Christmas Party 2010

IT TENDER CHRISTMAS PARTY’10

The dream became a reality………………………………………

The party started at 3:30 pm and finished at 8:30 pm.  The celebration focused on the theme “Tanggapin si Kristo, Magniningning ang Pasko” (“Receive Christ, Your Christmas Will Be Brighter“).  It was held in Jollibee, 4^th level Festival Mall in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.  About 195 attended.  The opening prayer was given by a member of City Bible Church and followed by the praise and worship.

Feeding Program Graduation

   

Part of the program was the graduation of “Fish and Bread Feeding Program” – a 6-month feeding program in Partnership with Action International, Philippines.  50 children were given certificate signed by the program coordinator and the director of IT Tender Ministry.  Pastor Junie Antiñero (Team Leader Seed of Love Ministry) prayed for the graduates.

Message

Pastor Ronald Fermanez (Senior Pastor, Lucena Northside Christian Church) gave the message from Luke 2:1-24, and he emphasized that “Jesus is the reason of this season”.  In the latter part of the message, the speaker made an altar call and Praise God 114 responded to receive Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord.

Testimony

    

Five clients from different programs gave their testimony about their experience in the Christmas Party:

1. Jlaiza Rivera - a 6 year old girl said, “Nagpapasalamat po ako sa feeding naging malusog at masigla po ako.  Nagpapasalamat din po ako sa Christmas party at sa regalo na natanggap ko.” (“I am thankful to the feeding that I became heathy and strong. I am thankful also for the Christmas party and for all the gifts I received.“)

2. Azel Aira Galindo - a 9 year old girl said, “Ako po ay nagpapasalamat sa mga pagkaing ibinigay at sa Panginoon at sa lahat ng nandito sa party .” (“I Am thankful for all the food and to the Lord and to all who attended the party.“)

3. Collaine  Obillo - a 7 year old girl said, “Nagpapasalamat po ako sa Diyos sa party at sa mga regalo at kay ate Cecille sa pagpunta nya sa amin at sa pag-asikaso araw-araw. (“I am thankful to God for the party and for all the gifts and to sister Cecile for taking care of us everyday.”)

4. Thess Rivera – a parent said, “Salamat sa Diyos,kay Sister Gela, Pastor John, Emil, Gabby, at Cecille, maraming natutulungan na mga kabataan, maligaya kami at nakadalo kami sa Christmas Party.” (“I am thankful to God for Sister Gella, Pastor John, Emil, Gabby, and Cecile because many young people are being helped, we are happy that we are able to attend the Christmas party.“)

5. Merlinda Morales – a Mother said, “Good evening sa bumubuo ng Women’s Bible study tuwing martes, sa CBC at sa mga nanay.  Nagpapasalamat ako sa Lord at first time ko na nakapunta sa Jollibe.  Sa buong buhay ko ngayon ko lang naranasan ang ganito kasayang party.  Maraming salamat sa Lord!” (“Good evening to all the Women’s Bible study Group held every Tuesday, to CBC and the mothers.  I am thankful to the Lord and this is my first time to go to Jollibee.  In my whole life, this is the first time I have experienced a joyful party like this.  Thank you so much Lord!”)

The common phrase that we heard in their testimonies is the thanksgiving to the Lord for what they have experienced in the Christmas Party and how the Lord has truly blessed them.

Special Number, Games, etc.

There were several special number from different ministries. Our visitors from Sunrise Community Church (Sacramento, California) also gave a Gospel Presentation using rope tricks and illusions. The mascot Jollibee also came and he rendered a dance number together with the street children. Another surprise game we did is whoever finds a happy face sticker under their chair receives a prize.

                                                                                                    

Awarding

Each ministry gave an award based on their performances during their sessions; The categories are; most helpful, most kind, most clean and neat, most obedient, most friendly, most participative, most energetic. The Children, youth and mothers received awards.

Closing Remarks

Pastor John gave a token of appreciation and encouragement to our client and ministry partners who have been with us throughout the year in ministering to the street children. A video presentation showing God’s accomplishment in the year 2010 was also shown. Pastor John ended his closing remarks by asking the youth to render a mime presentation of the song “Thank You” by Rey Bolts.  Finally, we gave gifts to all.  About 210 gifts were prepared to be given away for the clients, guest, visitors and friends.

Assessment

To God be the glory for all the good things He has done in this Christmas party.   It is a blessing to see all the 195 who attended the party.  For some the party was really fun while the others said that the party brought joy in the lives of the children.  Some visitors were even crying and were touched by the lives of the children.

The Christmas celebration was a big blessing to each and every one of us, especially to the people we minister.  God used our ministry partners (Grace Chapel, Youth Mobilization, Action International, Philippines, City Bible Church, Laguna Northside Christian Church, individuals and friends) to be a channel of His blessings to the needy children.  Praise God for what He has done! To God be the glory!!!!

  

Wednesday: Meet the YM Team - Pastor John Basiwa (IT Tender Ministry Leader)

The Urgent Call of God

‘And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life’ 

Matthew 19:29

I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior as a youth on October 21, 1990.  Three years later, God called me into full time service in our church as a missionary.  God’s call was not an easy one to follow because I was working full time and just finished my vocational studies in mechanics.  I am the eldest child and was the breadwinner for my family, who looked to me to provide them a secure financial future. 

Upon graduation, I was offered an all expenses paid internship at a car manufacturing firm in Japan where I was told I could expect to be hired full time at the completion of the program.  During the same time, the company for which I was currently working offered me a salary increase.  Also, a friend of my mom’s boss offered me an opening as a seaman working abroad. 

While this was all happening, my parents business was slowing down and they were relying on me more and more for support.  Despite my circumstances, I felt the urgent call of God and gave Him control of my career and future.  I resigned from my job, rejected the earthly offers and grabbed God’s offer to serve Him.  I didn’t, however, realize the negative effects my decision would have on my relationship with my family. 

My father persecuted me and told me to give up my full time work for the Lord and go back to my old job.  In front of my sisters, brothers and mother, he told me that if I did not go back to my old job he would forget me as his son.  I knew that this was going to be the hardest decision I would have to make in my entire life, but I knew God was in control. 

As I was deciding what to do, God spoke to me in this verse, ‘And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.’  This verse became very real to me when I made the decision to obey God and leave my family in spite of the difficulties I would face.  Throughout it all, God assured me that He is in control and that everything would come to pass.  My family and I soon reconciled and our relationship became much closer again.

In August 2000 I joined International Teams, Philippines to start a new ministry, called ‘Mercy Ministry’ which reaches out and cares for a group of solvent abusers living in Alabang and Sucat, nicknamed ‘Rugby Boys.’  For the next 7 years, I focused my attention on Mercy Ministry and began pasturing a church in Alabang while my wife, Gella, ran our direct selling business, which provided the financial support for our family. 

We were also blessed by being able to rent and renovate a house during this time.   In July 2007, Matthew 19:29 became real once again as God spoke to me, asking, ‘If I ask you to give up your business, are you willing?  If I ask you to give up your house, are you willing?  God had impressed on our hearts the passion to open a drop in center for the Mercy Ministry boys where we could more effectively minister to them through discipleship, leadership training, personal hygiene care, workshops, scholarships and feedings.   I was hesitant at first but soon found out that God was asking the same questions to my wife as well.  We prayed together as a family and asked for God’s protection, wisdom, strength and courage because we knew it would be a hard transition. 

We had invested a lot in our house and we were managing hundreds of people in our business.  During this time my wife prayed for a sign from the Lord to tell us if this was really what God wanted us to do with our life.  During a daily devotion, God spoke to her through the story of Noah, where the rainbow became God’s covenant between God and Noah.  Gella prayed to God and asked Him to show her a rainbow as a sign that this was the decision our family was supposed to make. 

On January 25, 2008 at 10am, God affirmed our decision as we were attending a school celebration with our kids.  During a bright and sunny day, a large rainbow appeared out of the sky and at that moment we knew what our decision was going to be.  Gella immediately texted all our dealers and informed them that we were ending the business that very day.  The decision was a difficult one, but we choose to give up our business and our house and trust God’s plan for our lives. 

Matthew 19:29 had become real for my family because it didn’t only have to do with leaving my ‘brothers, sisters, father or mother’ for God’s sake but also ‘houses’ and ‘fields,’ relating to the sale of our house and business.  We know that the rest of the verse will come true as well and we ‘will receive one hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life.’  We had begun to live out the phrase, ‘Let Go, and Let God’

We soon met with the owner of the house and told him that we felt God’s calling to start the Mercy Ministry Center and that we would be turning over the house to him.  We did not ask him to reimburse any of the money that we spent renovating the house over the 7 years we lived there because we believed that this was God’s plan and we trusted Him to provide for us.  Again, God reminded me of Matthew 19:29, ‘And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.’

We found a two story, three-bedroom apartment in Alabang complete with a garage and a spacious first floor that we will be able to use for the feedings and other activities.  We plan on moving in during March 2008, but we need to complete our fundraising of P 15,000 to pay the previous renters outstanding electricity bill.  We also will have to renovate the apartment, as it is very old and dirty.  Fortunately, the outstanding electricity bill and renovation costs will be deductible from the monthly rent. 

It’s been almost three years since that day, and every single day, is a day to witness God’s faithfulness.  The Lord provided and continues to provide for all the needs of the drop-in center and the rest of the needs of the ministry.  He also provides for our own personal needs.  Right now we are renting an apartment about 10 minutes from the drop in center.  Looking back, if I had to live my life again, I want it exactly the same.  Because I can honestly say that God is so faithful to His Word and promises.

(NOTE:  Pastor John Basiwa is the team leader of the IT Tender Ministry.  Together with his wife, Gella, who is the ministry administrator, they reach out to countless street children in Metro Manila especially those who are sniffing glue, abandoned and maltreated.  They have two children, John Erick (Jarrick) and John Michael (JM).)

Word For This Sunday - Acts 20:18-24 - What Are You Passionate About?

If you were asked about your passion, what would your quick answer be?  What are you really passionate about?  What makes you wake up very early in the morning and makes you stay up very late at night?  What occupies your mind and time?  What drives you?

In Acts 20:18-24, we will see the Apostle Paul's passion.  We will see three things that Paul was passionate about.  Hopefully, as you read on, you too will be encouraged to have the same passions that made the life and ministry of Paul a very powerful one.

Paul’s First Passion is SERVING (Acts 20:18-21)

Immediately as you read verses 18 to 21, you will notice Paul’s very first passion – that is to serve.  Paul’s heart is all about serving.  The key word here is “ALL”.  When does Paul serve - ALL the time (verse 18).  He wanted to be with them all the time so he can serve them.  How does Paul serve – with ALL humility and with tears and with trials (v. 19) His service involves his whole being.  Not just his physical body, but even his mind, emotion and will.  He is never afraid to experience hardships and trials and with humility and tears, he serves with all his heart.  What does Paul preaches?  All (anything) that was profitable.  Paul’s never afraid to declare all that are in his heart.  Where does Paul go to serve?  From house to house (All houses), and to ALL people both Jews and Greeks.  Paul goes to everyone, he knows that all people need Christ, that is why  he serves everyone, whether Jews or Greeks.

In serving the Lord, it is important that we give our whole heart.  Our 100%, not 99% or 99.99999%.  It should be 100% - we should be willing to give our “ALL”.  As Christians, it is imperative that we are willing to serve all the time, with all humility, with tears and with trials, to ALL people, declaring ALL that is in our hearts.

Paul’s 2nd Passion is OBEYING GOD (Acts 20:22-23)

One may ask, why was Paul so courageous?  He was never afraid even when facing persecution, riots, harm and even the danger of being jailed?  Why was he still willing to obey God in spite of knowing that he will suffer chains and afflictions.  The answer in Paul’s passion in obeying God lies on the very first words of v. 22 – “Bound by the Spirit…”

Paul is already bound and afflicted by the solemn charge of the Spirit, that’s why he is no longer afraid to be bound and be afflicted here on earth.  How can anyone still bind and afflict him when he is already bound and afflicted by God.

Obeying God is not a matter of our strong will.  It is a matter of our heart.  As Christians, we are called to obey God no matter what the cost is.  But the strength to obey Him does not come from us.  It comes from Him who has captured your heart.  If our hearts are taken captive by God, obedience will surely follow.  No matter how hard being a Christian is, no matter how difficult the task that lay before us, for as long as we are bound by God, our heart will surely be filled with the passion to obey God.

Paul’s 3rd Passion is FINISHING (Acts 20:24)

Paul’s heart is not just filled with service and obedience, he also understands one very important thing – and that is to finish what he has started.  He knows that his passion in serving God and his passion in obeying the Lord won’t matter – will be put to waste – if he won’t finish the race and the ministry God has called him to undertake.  That’s why Paul’s third passion is to finish.  In Philippians he said, “¹³Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14-15)  His destination - the goal; the finish line; the end.  In  II Timothy 4:7, Paul boldly declared to Timothy, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.”

As Christians, we are called not just to serve and obey God, we are also called, most importantly to finish what He has called us to do.  As we say it among ourselves, in the ministry, there is no retirement, no looking back, no quitting until that day that the one who started the good work in you calls you home.  In that day, oh what a wonderful thing for us to hear the words of our Master that declares, “Well done, good and faithful (or I could say – FINISHING) servant, come share your Master’s happiness!”