Is anyone listening to you?

John Maxwell mentioned that leaders earn the right to be heard. He further expressed that true leaders are the ones whose words are waited for by others. He is the person whose inputs, comments and opinions are anticipated. Is anyone listening to you?

Father’s Day Revelation

I never thought that a simple passage about Zechariah would contain so much wisdom about the role of fathers. But then again, the Bible never cease to amaze me.

Ps. Joey Bonifacio of Victory Christian Fellowship expressed that Zechariah's story reveals the role of fathers. These roles include the following: Intimacy , Instruction, Influence and Identity. With the pressure of providing for their children's needs, many fathers unconsciously de-prioritize these roles. Fatherhood is truly challenging but with God's help, successful fathering is possible.

The one with God as an Awesome God

Passage: Exodus 15:11
Praise: Awesome God

Awesome is a word I love to use to describe God. Indeed, He is awesome in many ways. His great love, power and wisdom inspires me to say HE IS AWESOME!

The word awesome is used quite freely these days. It is used as an expression to describe situations that are deemed "cool" by the young folk. Remember the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles saying "Awesome, dude!" Still, when I reflect on the meaning of awesome–it should be something that takes ones breath away. Something so great, one cannot explain it.

When I think about God's love and his sacrifice on the cross, I cannot help but become speechless. No words can describe God's expression of love for me. Truly, he is not just awesome because of his works but for who He is. During free worship, I usually find myself singing "there is none like you, Lord" or expressing words that expresses his greatness beyond compare and I will continue to sing such praise for God is awesome in this place.

The one with God’s word

Passage: Hebrews 4:12
Song: Thy Word

Reflection:

I always believed that the Word of God is powerful in and of itself. Just by speaking it, reading it and meditating on it, a life can change dramatically.

Many times, even when I say that I love God very much, it seems that I don't find time to reflect on his words. Somehow, the busy-ness of life distracts me into forgetting about the importance of God's Word in my life. This is why it is so important that I discipline myself to seek God through his word everyday.

One of my favorite scripture about the Word of God is in James 1:22-24 (NIV). It says:

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like."

This teaches me anew about how simply listening to the Word during Sunday services is not enough, one has to respond to it. As a child of God, I need to actively seek him through his word.

The Bible is truly a book of life. Everything one needs is taken up in the Bible. It is amazing how I had spent so much time reading pocketbooks in my youth. Looking back, I feel that I could have used that time to read the greatest book of all–the Bible.

Prayer:

Almighty God, Thank you for your word. Truly, you have given me a guidebook for my life. Please forgive me for those times when I neglected your Word. Thank you that you I can freely hold the Bible in my country. Lord, I pray that you continue to speak to me through your word. I love you, Lord. In Jesus name, amen.

Increase in me…

God's grace is truly abundant. It is wonderful to remember how his love redeemed me from my sins. I pray that with the power of the Holy Spirit, I will be able to decrease myself so that Jesus will increase in me.