Day 5: Genesis 36-42

Joseph, the excellent dreamer

The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.

-        Genesis 39:23

Joseph, the Dreamer has always been one of my favorite characters in the Bible because of the grace of the Lord that was seen in him. But tonight, the Lord has given me one word out of his life. Excellence.

Truly God gave Joseph the gift to see visions through his dreams. But to interpret dreams was a bigger one.

I believe these two are the best gifts the Lord has given him besides power and fortune. Indeed, Joseph was one of the most blessed characters in the Bible. Why is that? Because he has shown excellence in all the things that he did. Thus, everything he did prospered.

I am currently involved in a ministry in the church for The Radicals. Ever since I was given this responsibility, I’ve always put such great efforts on this because I wanted to glorify the Lord this way. My purpose for putting most of my time to this ministry is to just really serve His kingdom because I believe in transforming this generation.

But what amazed me was that, I know how hectic and busy I can be if I take this ministry to higher levels every week, thus, I was frightened that I might not handle my ministry, my work and my review for the October 2014 board exams. But God has shown me joseph’s life.

He did two things that made him blessed.

1.     He was Faithful to God

“No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such wicked thing and sin against God?”

-        Genesis 39:9

2.     He lived a life in excellence

Joseph was Thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh King of Egypt. And Joseph went out from Pharaoh’s presence and traveled throughout Egypt.

-        Genesis  41:46

Ever since I devoted myself to serve God through the ministry and committing myself to this 90 days of challenge, every aspect of my life is indeed breaking through.

-        I am overwhelmed to appreciate my review and I am more positive that I will be a CPA this year

-        I have been given an opportunity to be a researcher even when I did not pray for it.

-        My family’s bond has never been stringer even when I am more seen outside my home (haha)

-        My work inside the church has been exemplary in the past few weeks since we started organizing The Radicals

-        The spirit of fruitfulness is very much evident in my cell and I am more confident to say that I will be completing my 12 in these 90 days of challenge.

I am forever grateful with God’s grace in my life. Indeed consecration is the key to breaking through. Next, I will be entering a war. A war that I know Jesus has already won. And I am to prove that. To God be all the glory J

Day 4: Genesis 28-35

God sees Leah

Leah had weak eyes but Rachel was lovely in form and beautiful.

-        Genesis 29:17

I have a lot of insecurities in myself. I’m not that pretty. I’m not that tall. I’m not that smart. I’m not that rich. I have always remained on average.  This is one aspect in my life that I am still struggling.

But despite that, God still sees me. I believe I am special to God, and that is way more enough already.

God has chosen me to be one of His leaders. Who am I to deserve that? Who am I to be worthy of His anointing? God loves me and that is enough.

Day 3: Genesis 21-27

No strings attached

…”Do not be so distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”

-        Genesis 21:12

Many times in life, we tend to hold on to something we think are too valuable to us. Some things in life are overstated that we tend to cling to these things too much.

I have always been a loner in my life. Yes, I do have a lot of friends, but I don’t really have that “the” friend. Thus, every time I get to be close with someone, I tend to be so clingy as a friend. Losing people that I love could have been one of my fears. I hate being neglected. I hate being left out. Thus, I would never let anyone go in my life. In fact, when me and Jake broke up last year that could have been the worst emotional pain that I have experienced in my whole life, yet.

But this situation does not apply only to my closest friends. It also relates to my disciples. The first time I handled a strong cell was when I was in my second year in college. I built a strong relationship with two of my cell members until they had their encounter and my leader decided to promote them to her primary 12. Being a leader who focused too much on completing “my” 12, that has hurt me quite a lot. At first I didn’t understand at all. Why did my cell have to sacrifice these two leaders who were suppose to be a part of “my” 12 just for the sake of her own 12?

Probably, Abraham would have had the same feelings when Sarah wanted to banish Hagar and Ishmael. To think that Ishmael is Abraham’s son, how could he not be hurt? But God answered it clearly.

Some things are worth letting go of.

The God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.

-        Genesis 21:19

The Birth “Right”

“Look, I am about to die,” Esau said, “What good is the birthright to me?”

-        Genesis 25:32

The sealing of the 144 leaders last Sunday made most of us very emotional. I was there, at the back of my leader as we were being prayed for by our mentor in the G12 vision. I won’t deny it. I was too excited when they called us in front as I hurried to go in front right at the back of my leader. While Bishop Frank was preaching us the 7 Folds of blessing, I was with mixed emotions of gratefulness and obligation. I was not called in that very moment for nothing. I know not all the leaders there felt the same but God made it as a confirmation to me that I am indeed born to be a leader, to be the continuation of the book of Acts. That every moment, I felt like my leader’s words while she was teaching me about protecting my birthright was coming into me. I wasn’t just understanding it. I was actually acting on it. It was like I went in the shoes of Jacob. That was the moment that God has recognized the fight that I did for that birth right. And so now, I’d never let it go like Esau did.

Day 2: Genesis 11-20

The Bright Side of the Mysterious God

After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”

-         Genesis 18:14

Sin has variations. As human beings, it is evident for us to find a way to disobey of disappoint God which leads to our own distractions. But what amazes me in these chapters is how God loves us to the point that He, Himself, moves or lets things happen even in the most unexpected way just to save us from our too imperfect selves.

I.                 The Tower Of Babel (Genesis 11:4-6)

What’s wrong if the people built this high tower to which they have planned? At first, it can be confusing how God saw how harmful it was for His people. But the thing is, God knows the outcome even before an idea or a plan is conceived in one’s mind. The people didn’t have the right intention of building this tower. If this plan did happen, most of them would have been self righteous and fear not the Lord. Thus, even before they realize how this can destroy them, God made a way to help them get away from it. The cool thing about this is that, who would expect God would use the language to disengage them from themselves on this project?

Same as to our discipleship, sometimes, as cell leaders, we tend to create plans or ideas in our minds in our lives, even in our own cells which we’ll never know would actually distract us from what god intends to happen, thus, He makes ways to deviate us from our own selves and help us get back on track.

II.               Hagar and Ishmael (Genesis 16:6-8)

I believe Hagar wasn’t the only mistress in the Bible but her story was very well emphasized in the book. Why is that? I may not be a theologian but I may have a theory on this. God has written Hagar’s story not only because of Ishmael’s descendants but to give us a message that even the most neglected people on earth, which these people may think they are, are never neglected by the Lord Himself. Ishmael happened to be a product of a wrong decision by Sarah, and because of her insecurities to Hagar, she despised them and decided to throw them away. The Bible could have just let that happen, but God is more than stereotype. God moves in mysterious ways.

Relating that to our vision, at times we tend to be neglected or assumed nobody in the society. Nonetheless, God always has an eye for you. God never neglects anyone who He has given destiny. And by that I believe that all of us have a destiny. In the story, it was Hagar’s own will that she decided to obey God’s command to return to Sarah. It is also our choice to accept God’s grace in our lives, whether we answer to His call or neglect His offer of love.

III.              Abraham Pleads for Sodom (Genesis 18:32)

My leader Nanay Sophe has this weird attitude towards us pleading for her forgiveness every time we disobey her. We literally follow her around as if we’re playing catch even inside the church. Not that it’s a good thing, actually it’s a tiring thing but, surprisingly, now, I appreciate that about her. Reading today’s reading, esp. in Chapter 18, I could not keep her out of my mind.

In the story, of course God planned to destroy Sodom even with Abraham’s pleading towards God on the numbers of righteous men, but if that’s the case, why did God even entertain Abraham’s ridiculous requests? God wanted Himself to be accessible to Abraham.

I remember one day, Nanay Sophe told me to fix my perception towards her. I remember her saying, “Kapag nakikita mo kasi ako natatakot ka agad eh, you have to change that.” And I was like, “Boom.” Like where did she get that, so as I was reflecting on it, that’s actually so true. My leader is a clear depiction of jesus’ discipleship in the new testament. And in that time, Jesus was very much approachable. Thus, if I don’t see my leader that way, there is something wrong with my relationship with her. I love my leader. I believe Abraham love God that much as well, thus, God has just given us the fact that He Himself is very merciful, loving and to add to His many identity, God is also very much accessible and approachable.

God’s promises

(a)    I will make you into a great nation

(b)    I will bless you

(c)     I will make your name great

(d)    You will be a blessing

(e)    I will bless those who bless you

(f)     Whoever curses you I will curse

(g)    All peoples on the earth will be blessed through you

-         Genesis 12:2-3

DAY 1: Genesis 1-10

The Calling

I.                 Revival

The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became living being.

-         Genesis 2:7

The creation of man has been understated with a simple story of the origin of man but God has shown me so much more. When God has breathed on Adam, he was given life. Come to think of it, us, as Christians were never really living not until God breathed on us. But God’s breath of life isn’t just a simple act of hobby to God. He created man to rule over His creation and to take care of it. (Gen 1:26)

Thus, as disciples of God, our need to His breath is inevitable but we also need to understand our stand on that to deserve a life.

II.               Commissioning

The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.

-         Genesis 2:15

In deed when Adam was given life, he was truly blessed with all the wonders of the paradise by which God has placed him. Nonetheless, he stayed in the Garden of Eden not to be blessed alone but to be responsible of it.

When we become alive in Christ, indeed God’s promise of salvation is in us. We get to enjoy His grace in the most exciting way. But we live in Him not to enjoy alone but to be responsible as well.

III.             Vision

So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field.

-         Genesis 2:20

To give names is to identify. People name people or things or others according to that identity that they know they can use to know the place of such thing or person in their lives. For example, a child names his/her mother “Mama” which is still according to his will to identify his mother as his Mom.

This is one of the critical points of working in the vision. We may not get it as first but it is according to our own will of how we actually work in this responsibility that the Lord has appointed us.

Question: How do you identify your ministry? What is your disciple, disciples and spiritual family to you? How do you identify the lost ones in your life as a servant of God?

In the creation, God could have had named all the animals himself but why did He appoint Adam to do it? Because God wanted Adam to handle his responsibility according to his own will. God appointed Adam this work for him to understand more of his role in the Garden. Same as to us as disciples. God leaves the appointment to us to see the way He sees the lost. That is why that’s our biggest goal, to be like Christ. To see the way He does, to feel the way He does and it all boils down to our own will being in line with His’.

IV.             Warning to heed

But God did say, “You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die”

-         Genesis 3:3

Submission to Authority has always been one of men’s greatest struggles. But heed God’s word.

When God told Adam and Eve that they will die if they eat from the tree of life, God didn’t really mean they’ll die literally. But what happens to them was really death. (Gen 3:23). The fall of man, not only that they lost God’s trust in taking care of His creations in the Garden, they also lost the abundance that they had.

Imagine losing God’s anointing while handling other people. While calling yourself a disciple yet you’re not really one of them. Thus, disobedience as translated in Genesis leads to banishment.

To serve the Lord in the ministry of being a disciple and discipling other people as well, is the greatest appointment one can ever have.

The Start of Breakthrough comes in with a Challenge: 90 DAYS OF CHALLENGE

my upcoming posts will be my daily devotional readings in accordance to the 90 days of challenge. This blog will store up all my insights for the Word challenge where I should be able to finish the whole Old Testament in 90 Days.

Enjoy Reading and God Bless :)

July 2, 2013: Pre-requisites of being a Revolutionary

¹⁰ Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more NUMEROUS and, if war breaks out, will JOIN our enemies, FIGHT against us and LEAVE the country.”

                What do non-believers see in us that identifies us as Revolutionaries?

                In Exodus 1, we have seen how threatened the king was because of the vast multiplication of the Israelites. He has seen them in such an identity that he presumed immediately and acted on it. But what was it that made Him be all paranoid about the Israelites?

                Moreover, what was it that we be identified as revolutionaries?

PRE-REQUISITES TO BEING A REVOLUTIONARY

1. NUMEROUS:       FRUITFUL

                One revolutionary cannot do the work alone. Ever imagined Andres Bonifacio doing all the work in all those battles alone? No! He had his KKK. What I’m saying is, we cannot be identified as revolutionaries individually without company. We cannot change the world, the city, our campuses if we go there alone. Thus, we have to multiply. How can one revolutionary inside the class change the mindset of cheating if you’re the only one answering clean? Changing the world does start in you but that doesn’t mean you stop there. Be consistent in changing yourself as you also influence other people. That is winning without preaching.

2. JOIN:                         MEMBERSHIP

                There has to be a common goal/perception for everyone to be a part in. fortunately, the Lord has given us a VISION that is very practical. Say, everyone’s starting to change a part of the culture that we have influenced them to shed off. It’s time to give them the grasp of the vision. We then answer them in a godly manner wherein the vision is at the center.

                In the previous example, we don’t stop influencing them not to cheat; rather, we tell them why not to cheat.

QTD:

Ang pangongopya ay COUNTERBALANCING!

Pasado ka man ngayon at OVERSTATED ang score mo,

darating ang board exam para ireveal ang CORRECTED NET KNOWLEDGE mo!

3. FIGHT:                     SELF-DISCIPLINE

                As an identified revolutionary, we are so prone to temptations. The enemy has every “creative and innovative” ways of tempting us.

                To illustrate, reviewing…

                You are a revolutionary, what do you do? You don’t have classes the whole morning, so of course, you attend the daily prayer and the go straight to school regardless if your class is still 2 in the afternoon. And you make use of your time wisely to study.

                But it’s not gonna be easy to make that a habit. Things like, SM is just a walk away from your church, or you can watch your favorite series the whole night and wake up late. Or go out with your crush who just asked you yesterday.

                Despite all those scenarios, as a revolutionary, we tend to know our priorities and do the right thing. That is self-discipline.

4. LEAVE:                    NEW SELF

                Lastly, to be a revolutionary is to be new. You went to change the world? You first leave your comfort zone and start the life with a real purpose, a life where God is in control, a life that is influencing others, a part of something great and a life with a fighting spirit against your old self and the external temptations… : )