#Real Connections

I'm thankful to God for the privilege of being part of the global organization called Campus Crusade for Christ. I came to know the Lord Jesus Christ last October 2, 1996 when the two student leaders from CCC in our campus approached me and shared the gospel through the Four Spiritual Laws Booklet or 4SL. That was the start of my journey of following Jesus and obeying His call in helping fulfill the Great Commission stated in Matthew 28:18-20. This isthe reason   why CCC was founded by Bill & Vonette Bright. This is our movement's calling started by this couple in UCLA. 

Stating that point, this movement of God has spread to about 200 countries right now with about 25,000 full-time staff. 

Seems yesterday when I got connected with this movement of Christ-centered multiplying disciples committed to know Christ and make Him known with others. This year, we are celebratibg 50 years of CCC's existence in the Philippines. We are now present in about 254 campuses nationwide, present in the 7 sectors of our society, with special ministries beyond campus such us Athletes in Action, Christian Embassy, Family Life, Doctors in Touch, Artists in Touch, a seminary called International School of Leadership and many more. 

This year 2015 is a long year-round celebration. Let 's celebrate God who has called us to help fulfill the Great Commision. The One who called CCC to take part in the Great Commission by winning people for Christ, building them up in faith and sending them to do the same- win, build & send. 

See you on November 28, 2015 for the GRAND WHOLE DAY CELRBRATION! 

Real Connections

See you there?! 

Join us in our kickstart celebration of our PCCC's 50 years!

here's the link to register. 😊

http://www.movementlife.org/50years/event/

ASEA SLM FORUM

Thanks for praying! 

We had a good interaction this morning. In the afternoon, we went to the battlefield. 

60 heard the gospel

23 PRC

18 Appointment

This evening we discussed about issues/barriers faced in the field.

Thanks for continually praying. 

On my Spiritual Birthday: Oct 2

I shared the gospel to the 6 students of the top university in Indochina. All of them prayed to receive Jesus. I motivated them for further involvement. All agreed to meet with me on the following day for our follow up Bible Study.

I had also another opportunity to share the gospel to the two guys. Both prayed to receive Jesus. 

October 3

With a Campus Leader

Bee (one of the 6) came back with two friends. I learned from him that the rest went back to their towns. I asked Bee's friends about what did Bee tell them. They said, "Bee told us that he met a new friend from Philippines. He also told us that he invited Jesus in his heart."

Right there and then, I asked Bee to share with his friends, Taimoah and Seng on how he received Jesus by simply reading the booklet to them. I saw the eagerness in them to know about Jesus. One booklet being shared by three and they took turns in reading. Another friend, Chai, joined them. (Yesterday, I did not give the booklets to Bee's group. I was sharing the Four Spiritual Laws (4SL) from memory, wrote the 4 principles on paper & draw the diagram too. I simply shared the 4SL without further explanation). Anyway, when Bee reached the section on the two circles, he asked his friends, Which circle best represents your life?" There response was "left" (self-directed). Then he asked them the second question "Which Circle would you like to represent your life?" and their answer was "right" (Christ-directed) except for Chai who then left the group because of an appointment. These two guys prayed to receive Jesus. I then asked clarifying questions to help them be assured of their salvation, but we did not finish the discussion. Seng had to leave for their event's practice while Taimoa stayed. Bee, Taimoah & I (with the Campus Leader, Noi) had our lunch together. Since they were free for about two hours, we continued the discussion on the remaining pages of the 4SL. When we reached the last page of the booklet and asked them, "To whom would you like to share this message?", they mentioned their friends' names. I asked them to write these names in the box at the back page. Taimoah asked, "how about to my parents?" I was surprised by this response because our staff were saying that the students are afraid to go back to their towns and tell their parents about this.  So I simply replied, " wow, that 's great! Why don't you write their names too and we will pray for them one by one." I also asked them , "When will you share the gospel with them? Will you write down the dates?" And they did ! We prayed for the names.

We then had our FU#1. It was a meaningful discussion. I was using the English material while they held their local version and the electronic bible in their local language too. Noi was helping translate in the discussion. (Bee will FU Seng on Monday. Both Bee and Taimoah will go back on Monday for FU2).

About 30 minutes after the FU1 with Taimoah & Bee, Chai came back with two friends. During this time, I was observing Noi sharing the gospel with a Biology student. On the same table, I asked Chai to let their friends sit down and if he could read the booklet to his friends and I will ask them some questions later. 

Chai agreed. When it's already in the "two circles section," I helped Chai. I'm not sure if Chai received Jesus when Bee shared the booklet with them about two hours ago. But I still

asked him to share it with friends. So when I took over the discussion on the two circles, the three of them said that they're not ready yet. They still have some questions. I continued sharing the booklet up to prayer section and asked the question , "Does this prayer express the desire of your heart?" They aren't ready yet. I proceeded to page 13 and showed what will happen if they invite Jesus in their hearts. They like to have this kind of life, they wanted it but they still need time to think, process and consider it. I asked, "What is holding you back?" They said, "we still need time." I said, "Ok, I respect your decision. Here's the booklet. Please take time to read it again tonight and talk to God to help you understand His love and wonderful plan for your life. Could we still meet on Monday?" They agreed. 

Dana was late in her class this morning.

All her school supplies needed for that day were all in her bag. We were ready to go to school when she was asking about her ID and neck tie. We realized she didn't wear her ID and neck tie yet, so went to a certain place in our house where we usually hang it. But it wasn't there. 

We spent almost 30 minutes searching for her most "treasured items." I explained to her that it's okay to come to class without the school ID and neck tie. I will just explain to her teacher that we misplaced them. She was crying. I understood what she was feeling but can't help locate where we put it. It's our norm to always put them in her bag after school. 

Anyway, we don't want her to miss her class just because of the ID and necktie. So, I still encouraged her to enter the car and drove him to school. On our way, she was telling me that her classmates sometimes don't wear IDs because they forget to. So I told her, "Yes, Dana, entering your class today is more important than searching for the ID or neck tie. You cannot replace education with something else. We can still buy a neck tie or even have a new ID but when you don't enter your class, you will miss learning lessons that will prepare you for life."

"Can we still locate my ID and neck tie?", she further asked. "We will do our best, Anak." For now, you enter the class and I'll explain it to your teacher. 

From our car, Dana asked me to hug and carry her. So I did. As soon as we arrived to her classroom, Immediately her teacher approached us and so I explained what just happened to Dana a few minutes ago. Her classmates came closer to her, with the countenance of comforting her. Some of them even expressed that they forget their IDs or necktie sometimes, too, their way of comforting Dana. And...about three of her classmates didn't have neckties too. I told them to pray that we will be able to find them soon. So after a few minutes of helping her settle in the class, I kissed and hugged her goodbye for my next appointments. 

While in the car, I received a text message from Divine. The neck tie and the ID were left under the throw pillows in our sofa. 

Well, this is life. But I'm sure Dana has her lessons learned beyond her classroom, preparing her for life. We parents have our daily lessons too. 

Book-Reading-Marathon

Every year, for almost 7 years already, Divine and I go to SMX for the Grand Book Sale. You can have a lot of good books to choose from a variety of participating bookstores nationwide. 

This is what we are looking forward to every year which adds appetite to our love for reading and learning. We are excited to read all of these and hope to glean insights for practical life 's application. 

It is always said, "Nothing is learned until it is applied."

So during the Tropical Storm Mario that brought floods in our area, our best option was to stay in our house and had our book-reading-marathon. 

Thank God for times like this where we can simply pause and ponder as we painstakingly read through the pages of our most treasured books. 

I remember our nursery rhymes during my school days...

The book is our help to give us more widom

Leading the path that leads to success

Book is like a movie that we love to see

Comedy, adventure & love story

We can travel to other places

By air or land or sea

But just don't forget to read the books in the library.

The Gospel Beyond our Borders

In my recent ministry trip to another ASEAN country, I had the privilege of interacting with the university students and see where they are at in their spiritual journey. Despite language barrier and cultural differences, by the grace of God, it's a joy to share His message of love and forgiveness to 23 of them whom, 16 prayed to receive Jesus in their lives as personal Lord and Savior, by faith. Before I go back to Philippines, I met 3 of them for follow up, and transitioned them to the local staff who will continue to journey with them as they multiply in the lives of others. 

Last Monday (Sept 9), I shared the gospel with Junior together with the 5 other students. Last Thurs (12th), he came back for our follow up bible study and he also told me that he shared the gospel (through the Four Spiritual Laws booklet) to 6 of his friends that night of Monday after we met. Please pray that he will be able to follow them up with Lesson 1: Beginning Your New Life in Christ, as he made a commitment to do so. 

              (Jacob: 3rd from left)

Jacob, one of the student leaders in their organization, was assured of his salvation after we met. He also shared the gospel to two of his friends and plan to share to the whole org. Pray that he will have the boldness to share the message of Christ to the whole group. 

What an awesome God we have! Regardless of family religious background, the gospel of Christ is for everyone. 

With my team, in 6 days...

554 were exposed to the gospel. 

88 are being followed up (FU). 

5 have completed FU #3. 

Also exciting are those who prayed to receive Christ last week's stats:

102 personal evangelism

4 have completed FU #1.

Praise the Lord! 

This passages are great reminders of why we are doing what we are called to be doing:

Rom. 10:12-17

For there is no distinction between the Jew and the Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, who richly blesses all who call on him. 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 14 How are they to call on one they have not believed in? And how are they to believe in one they have not heard of? And how are they to hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How timely is the arrival of those who proclaim the good news." 16 But not all have obeyed the good news, for Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?" 17 Consequently faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the preached word of Christ. 

Hebrews  4:12

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart.

The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) will be fulfilled if everyone has been given a chance to hear the gospel. 

We simply share the gospel by faith. It's the goal of the Holy Spirit to convict their hearts of sin. 

Raising up Multiplying Disciples for the Great Commission

Metro Manila Campus students leaders and staff work together in helping fulfill Christ's Great Commission by helping raise multiplying disciples among and through the college students. A campaign to rally fellow students to take active participation in this cause was started a few weeks ago. Please read through what it is all about and join by praying and or going with them. 

How can our #soWINbroadly campaign help us see multiplying disciples? (Compiled insights from our student leaders of Metro

Manila Campuses)

Spiritual multiplication is inevitable when God is working in the hearts of his disciples. That is why the #soWINbroadly campaign is a campaign to encourage everyone to trust in God’s power to perform miracles through them and to the people around them. This campaign is under the principle from John 4:35 where we are all encouraged to look past familiarity and embrace the urgency of sharing the gospel, for the harvest has already been ripe and prepared by the Lord. With the heart to see the lost get found, it is also our vision to see changed lives start to share and declare the Word of the Lord.

By encouraging Key Volunteers to step outside their comfort zones to sow God’s word to the hearts of fellow students, it will not just stretch their faith and allow them to experience the joy of sharing God’s word but it will also give salvation to those people who will listen to them. The seed, which is the Word of God, will be planted. These newly saved people then will also have the vision to go and make disciples of all nations. If we’ll be able to pass on our vision to these reliable men we are going to send, then we trust that they could share this to other reliable men, too. Thus causing spiritual multiplication for God’s glory. The campaign also helps us know that we’re not alone in this. That there are really a team of like-hearted disciples who are willing to ignite spiritual movements within their own respective battle fields, and beyond.

 

(More details about the campaign)

#soWINbroadly is a campaign that initially started with the vision of the Metro Manila Catalytic staff coaches to observe the principle of sowing broadly in the target area. Now, students are joining forces to initiate and adopt the vision shared to us, since it is also our heart to see multiplying disciples by making evangelism as our lifestyle.

We are praying for:

-(at least) 100 students to participate in this year-long campaign

-Each student will commit and trust in the Lord to share/witness to at least 10 students per month.

When the goal is reached, there will be 10,000 who will hear the Gospel. And from this number, we are praying to generate new generation of KVs. 

Success in witnessing is simply taking the initiative to share Christ n the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God. 

 

 

Seems Yesterday

Since the opening of her class, I would bring Dana to school as early as 7am.  

It seems yesterday when we dedicated her to the Lord. Now, she is in Kinder 2. It seems yesterday when we also heeded God's call for the Great Commission through the ministry of Campus Crusade. Now, God is enabling us to cross boarders and be part of His business of changing lives across the globe. We have been blessed by GOD through the faithful ministry partners he raised up for us. What a privilege! 

We are ETERNALLY GRATEFUL. Our hearts sing for joy. No matter how hard our circumstances at times are, His word in James 1 holds so true.

It says: 2 My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials,

3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

4 And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.

5 But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him.

6 But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind.

7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord,

8 since he is a double-minded individual, unstable in all his ways.

9 Now the believer of humble means should take pride in his high position.

10 But the rich person's pride should be in his humiliation, because he will pass away like a wildflower in the meadow.

11 For the sun rises with its heat and dries up the meadow; the petal of the flower falls off and its beauty is lost forever. So also the rich person in the midst of his pursuits will wither away.

12 Happy is the one who endures testing, because when he has proven to be genuine, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him.

13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one.

14 But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires.

15 Then when desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full grown, it gives birth to death.

16 Do not be led astray, my dear brothers and sisters.

17 All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change.

18 By his sovereign plan he gave us birth through the message of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Digging into God's Word

Digging into God's word this morning on Jeremiah 9, led me to some insightful thoughts.

The prophet, Jeremiah mourned for the nation of Israel because the Babylonian army had to come and attack to destroy the city. Very soon. God chose to punish the people of Jerusalem by sending the Babylonian army against them so that they will come to repentance. These people were deceitful and always lied to one another.

Jeremiah 9: 23 The Lord says, "Wise people should not boast that they are wise. Powerful people should not boast that they are powerful. Rich people should not boast that they are rich.

24 If people want to boast, they should boast about this: They should boast that they understand and know me. They should boast that they know and understand that I, the Lord, act out of faithfulness, fairness, and justice in the earth and that I desire people to do these things," says the Lord.

We are living in this world that is full of lies. We glorify ourselves by telling lies. We boast to exalt ourselves while putting down the others. We fight with each other. God hates these attitudes & actions like what the people of Jerusalem had experienced. And they were punished.

As Christians (God's children through a personal relationship with Jesus), we can help influence our nation for good, giving glory to our God. We need to:

1. Pursue a growing relationship with God in our lives through a daily reading of His word like what the Bereans did in Acts 17: "10 The brothers sent Paul and Silas off to Berea at once, during the night. When they arrived, they went to the Jewish synagogue.

11 These Jews were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they eagerly received the message, examining the scriptures carefully every day to see if these things were so."

2. Humble ourselves before God and men. Let's think others better than ourselves. "Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself." -Philippians 2:3

3. Encourage one another as Hebrews 10:24-25 stated, "24 And let us take thought of how to spur one another on to love and good works,

25 not abandoning our own meetings, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and even more so because you see the day drawing near."

4. Pray continually for our leaders, and our countrymen. "Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and  supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making  supplication for all the saints...."-Ephesians 6:18

5. Go out and share the gospel, make disciples. He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. -Mark 16:15

But the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavenly expanse. And those bringing many to righteousness  will be like the stars forever and ever. -Daniel 12:3

Have a blessed day, everyone! 

Like a Tree

In one of my ministry-related travels, specifically in Victoria Falls, South Africa, I saw this huge tree. My memory can't recall anymore of its name and its age. But I remember my african friends saying that this is the oldest tree in their country. 

So huge. So beautiful to behold. I was reminded of this verse in the bible:

The fruit of the righteous is like a tree producing life, and the one who wins souls is wise. -Proverbs 11:30

This is my prayer as I walk with God daily. This is my prayer for you who may happen to read this too :)

Are you open to His invitation?

How are you in your walk with God? Do you agree with me that many times we stumble and fall? We desire to be near to our God yet we keep on idolizing things in our life? Our career. Our possessions. Our fame. Our position. Our power. Ourselves. We ask for forgiveness and commit the same abhorrent sins, aren't we? 

The Israelites had sinned against God and had experienced exile into Babylon for their sin. It was painful, but God came to them through the prophet Isaiah, and offered the exiles life and a relationship with Him. God is working in us in our greatest pain and darkness even when its ultimately our fault. He begins to redeem us from our sin and draw us to Himself. That's how He genuinely and unconditionally loves us. 

We need to open our hearts to His invitation and repent. 

Isaiah 55 is just such a beautiful picture of God repeatedly calling us His people to go back to Him and enjoy life and relationship!

Isaiah 55

1 "Hey, all who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come! Buy and eat! Come! Buy wine and milk without money and without cost! 2 Why pay money for something that will not nourish you? Why spend your hard-earned money on something that will not satisfy? Listen carefully to me and eat what is nourishing! Enjoy fine food! 3 Pay attention and come to me! Listen, so you can live! Then I will make an unconditional covenantal promise to you, just like the reliable covenantal promises I made to David. 4 Look, I made him a witness to nations, a ruler and commander of nations." 5 Look, you will summon nations you did not previously know; nations that did not previously know you will run to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he bestows honor on you. 6 Seek the Lord while he makes himself available; call to him while he is nearby! 7 The wicked need to abandon their lifestyle and sinful people their plans. They should return to the Lord, and he will show mercy to them, and to their God, for he will freely forgive them. 8 "Indeed, my plans are not like your plans, and my deeds are not like your deeds, 9 for just as the sky is higher than the earth, so my deeds are superior to your deeds and my plans superior to your plans. 10 The rain and snow fall from the sky and do not return, but instead water the earth and make it produce and yield crops, and provide seed for the planter and food for those who must eat. 11 In the same way, the promise that I make does not return to me, having accomplished nothing. No, it is realized as I desire and is fulfilled as I intend." 12 Indeed you will go out with joy; you will be led along in peace; the mountains and hills will give a joyful shout before you, and all the trees in the field will clap their hands. 13 Evergreens will grow in place of thorn bushes, firs will grow in place of nettles; they will be a monument to the Lord, a permanent reminder that will remain.

What to do on holiday?

For a change? Well, instead of going outside and visiting places, try to stay at home and do the following:

1. Give your kids something to do that will enhance their learning power.

My son, Ardi, wrote these letters and numbers, waiting for my "very good!" affirmation.

Look! My daughter, Dana, painstakingly drew and colored this artwork. You could see here a house with family members representing us.

2. Cook something you haven't been eating the last few weeks.

For us, its the yummy, boiled corn. Good for this rainy holiday! 

3. Pray together as a family.

Praying together is a good bonding time with one another and with God. Besides the usual prayer time before going to bed, meal times or family devotion, it's good to teach our young ones to thank God for His daily provision, protection, peace and power evident in our lives in a different setting. They will learn that God is present everywhere. This is teaching by modeling and doing together. Nothing is learned until it is applied by our kids.

4. Play inside your house.

This is about creating good memories in our home. Most of the time we go out and spend for a vacation in the beaches, hotels, waterfalls or anywhere away from home. But realize that it's also good to have a vacation in our home. We should not bring our office in our home. Simply rest and be with one another. 

5. Play your favorite instrument and sing a couple of songs.

What a restful vacation at home. No worries what to prepare and bring outside. No need to spend much. No need to travel. For a change!