The Comfortable Church: Breaking the Comfort

The problem remains for the church today: We are just too comfortable. The "problems" we see are but a speck compared to the reality of the world we live in today, a world beyond the confines of our comfortable "problem filled" lives, a world that desperately desires a hope... a world that needs Jesus Christ. 

So the questions is: "What can I do? How do I get out of my comfort zone?"

The bible did not complicate things when it recorded how Jesus commanded us to take part in sharing God's blessing of salvation (Matt. 28:18-20). The misconception is that a Christian has to follow one ideal formula in sharing the love of God through Christ. It doesn't have to be that way. We can do it in many different ways. How? In our case today as a comfortable church, breaking the barriers of sharing the love of Christ and breaking the comfort can be done in two ways:

1) PRAYER

Have you been proactive in praying for the concerns of other people? Or have your prayers been focused on only yourself? Do you remember your country men during their time of need, ceased on helping when relief operations have slowed down, or have you been helping out still?

What we can do is simply pray. We should continue to pray for our country men still affected by the recent floods, who have lost loved ones and have lost their homes. Relief operations may have stopped but our prayers continue, our prayers should remain.

We can also pray also for the unreached people groups remaining in the Philippines and in other parts of the world! Get to know them through The Joshua Project, a website dedicated to research about ethnic groups who have yet to know Jesus Christ. Pray for these groups together with church members through the upcoming 1Gospel Conference, a conference encouraging young people aware about the power of prayer in missions!

We do not have to leave our country to be involved in cross cultural missions. We do not need disasters and relief operations to remember the needs of the less fortunate. We bring the love of Christ to other people through the power of our faith in the Lord, and it is proven in earnest, honest prayer.


2) PARTNERSHIP

Like prayer, partnership is not a one-time thing. It is being able to connect to people who need a more definite, clear, and real gospel message. 

Join an NGO, look for an orphanage, school, children's hospital or community and help the needy on a more concerted, intentional and consistent basis. Show love to them not by just simply reading to them the story about Jesus' sermons, but by sitting beside them, talking to them, asking them about their dreams, aspirations, having lunch together with them, interacting with them side by side. You can even support and partner by simply buying a shirt from Liberty Street Clothing and help survivors of human trafficking, child sexual abuse, or extreme poverty.

Pray and Partner for the Armed Forces of the Philippines
(IGSL - PMA Ministry Week, Sept 2012)

So this is how we roll up our sleeves, how we can be less comfortable, be less concerned about ourselves. This is how we can be thankful, how we can be exposed, how we can pray. This is how we can break church norm and obey God's command to "Go and make disciples", how we can share God's blessing of salvation today. 

People need the gospel message personally applied, not impersonally preached. 

The Comfortable Church

My kids in Kaunlaran High School in Navotas (through the partnership of International Graduate School of Leadership-Asia and Breakthrough Community Church-Navotas) wrote the following down when I asked them about their dreams and aspirations: 

"Know Christ"

"Change"

"Be Helpful and responsible"

"Expect more knowledge (Know) about God"

"Help my parents"

"Help my family"

"I want to help others to be God's followers"

These are what these kids hope for, what they desire in life. They desire a life out of poverty, out of daily financial hardship, out of broken down communities, and they desire Christ. They desire God. 

A couple of months back I asked the Lord why he wanted me to serve in this community. God's answer? The kids themselves. He wanted to expose me to his heart... a heart that longs to be connected and reunited to his people from all cultures, nations, from every tongue, every tribe and from every land. 

A recent study shows that most churches today do not share the Gospel. This is what is happening in churches nowadays.

In light of the study, one of the problems today is that as a church, we look inward, instead of outward. We fret about poorly air-conditioned worship auditoriums, frown upon bad sound systems, and complain about the poorly seasoned lunch offered in our monthly ministry meeting. These kids? They have their algebra class during midday, under the shade of the quadrangle stage due to the lack of classrooms. The Track and Field team practices on 40 feet of parking space on worn out training shoes. No grass, no track oval. They miss out on school 1-2 times a week during the rainy season due to constant and regular flooding in the city. That is their reality. 

We are simply just too comfortable. The "problems" we see are but a speck compared to the reality of the world we live in today, a world beyond the confines of our comfortable "problem filled" lives, a world that desperately desires a hope... a world that needs Jesus Christ. 

The bible says:

"Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace"  (Acts 18:9b)

"I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ"  (Romans 1:16)

"(Pray)...that I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak"  (Ephesians 6:18-20)

"Be not thou ashamed of the testimony of our Lord" (2 Timothy 1:8a)

"We were bold...to speak the gospel of God"  (1 Thessalonians 2:2)

God wants us to reach out to all people, and we achieve this by not just simply sitting comfortably, sipping freshly brewed coffee in the posh cafes where we hold weekly bible studies. God wants us to get out of our comfort zones, roll up our sleeves, and to confidently go. 

Are you too comfortable? Be thankful. Be exposed. Pray for divine appointments outside your comfort zone. Share God's blessing of salvation today.

For the Fresh Grads!

My Batsilyer ng Sining sa Sikolohiya back in 2007.

Finally, you are now a college graduate! Congratulations! Plan on taking a much needed vacation the next few months? Suddenly became allergic to journals, highlighters, pens and text books? Or have you decided to take your talents to Makati? Ortigas Center, Bonifacio Global City or Eastwood?

I know most of you are smart enough to have researched, prayed and have consulted schools, parents and friends on what you are going to do for your future. But then again, have you really 100% figured things out already? Having had a few years of HR experience (in the best luxury automotive company in the world with the best dealership here in the Philippines), I give you guys 3 very simple tips on how you can prepare yourself better in this new stage of your life.

I. EXUDING CONFIDENCE

Average GPA + Diploma = Dean’s List + ‘BIG 4’ Diploma. Why so? Communication Skills!

Nothing speaks of confidence more than being able to express yourself well during an interview. Human Resources (HR) at times may use this as tie-breaker for equally good candidates! That’s because the name of your school and GPA will not speak and apply in your behalf. It is going to be you sitting in that conference room conversing with the HR Associate. You will have to explain and sell yourself to a prospective buyer, your future employer. NEVER be intimidated by anyone, not even against the BIG 4 Grads sitting and waiting to be interviewed just like you at the office lobby. If you can express yourself well? Then you may just have given yourself the chance of making it as an underdog or maybe even as the frontrunner for the job!

Good posture, grooming and wardrobe add to the entire package too! It wouldn’t matter if you have the radio voice of King DJ Logan and the vocabulary of William Shakespeare if you smell like a 3^rd Grader who just came from the playground.

So speak up and be heard! Answer substantially! Do not settle for short answers and phrases like “I am a patient person, hard working and willing to learn”, because you need to prove to HR that you are who you say you are.

II. PROVEN CONFIDENCE

So you say you are hard working? Prove it by talking about a time in college when you had to prepare for and passed three final exams, aced a term paper, prepare for a school play and had to plan an outreach program for your school organization! HR operates much like CSI. HR needs evidence and needs proof. You are the best witness to yourself, so give HR all the evidence they need in order for them to make the proper arrest... err, judgment about you.

Prove not just by mere words but by tangible and measurable traits and qualities displayed through past behavior your potential against equally good applicants. Make your talents, accomplishments and strengths measurable both qualitatively, and quantitatively.

If HR asks about a time you had to deal with a very difficult person, then share stories about recent real life situations with the family, your involvement in church, your activities in the neighborhood! Your life is not contained in the walls of your university, and HR knows that. So don’t be limited with school-related activities!

Remember, besides becoming part of a company’s team, they see new-hires as an investment. Companies allocate resources in order to hire someone who will not waste manpower, time, effort and money. This is why HR conducts Behavior Based Interviews. HR will not take your word for it when you claim that you have leadership qualities. You say “I’m really good!” HR replies, “How so?” HR needs solid evidence: Well explained accomplishments, traits, beliefs and values that match and fit the needs of the company.

Then again, you won’t be able to wow HR by just showering yourself with Calvin Klein’s Eternity 5 minutes before interview. Make no mistake about it, Substance matters. HR will make sure to never judge a book by its cover. Prove your worth! Give HR a glimpse into your life! 

But, is confidence and preparedness enough?

III. FAITH + CONFIDENCE

I remember back in college when I wasn’t able to meet the required grade of my pre-requisite for my college major. It would delay me  possibly for an extra year in college. I did not know what to do, but the typical worried Christian in me just prayed and prayed and prayed. I hoped for the best, but I was also very realistic.

So on that fateful Course Card Distribution day (When Lasallians receive their final grade), I went to school expecting the worst. But as the day unfolded, by some miracle, my professor gave me and my block mates one final shot. An oral exam. I grabbed the opportunity, and aced it like my life depended on it. There I was prepared to suffer the wrath of my parents and go through an extra year of schooling, but if that wasn’t God granting favor upon me? I don’t know what is!

Psalm 20:7 talks about God reminding his people Israel to not be like the powerful and mighty Egyptians who fell and faltered because they chose to not believe and trust in God. It says: 

”Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” 

In our case today, God expects the same thing. A great career may start by doing well and receiving an offer on your first job interview, or may only happen after your 3^rd job in less than a year's time. Believe and know that you have what it takes to succeed, but at the same time trust, have faith and pray to God knowing that it is him who gives (what is best for you) in the first place.

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

So now go ahead and win that interview!

All

Inspired by the smiles and laughter I saw in the photo album of GCF's recent church-wide Pastors and Wives Retreat, I was prompted to post this song I wrote back in 2007 for GCF Youth LIVE's "Agent of Change 007" Camp to remind us church leaders, workers and volunteers, about who we serve and the reason why we serve. 

^{Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV):}

²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

David Miguel
Set Free Concert 2007
GCF Youth LIVE

Fall to my knees and pray, my sins you wash away

You speak to me Lord

I hear the beating of my heart it’s where You live

I hear You calling me

Now all I desire is to be worthy of your call

Bring me where I should be

I’ll be with You my Lord

With You my Lord

All, to live for You

To lead with You

I surrender

All, my life for You

To lead with You

I surrender All

Search me oh God

And know my heart

Lead me to the way of everlasting

I’m so full of you

I’m so full of you I surrender

I’m so full of you

I’m so full of you I surrender All

Holding Grudges

Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. He said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” – Genesis 27:41

Lord, I feel angry, bitter and have much hate in my heart. Will you heal my heart, give me peace, and give me the strength to finally forgive. AMEN.

Jeremiah

“What are you doing, O devastated one? Why dress yourself in scarlet and put on jewels of gold? Why shade your eyes with paint? You adorn yourself in vain. Your lovers despise you; they seek your life.”  -Jeremiah 4:30

The family is up and about for church and she’s once again having a difficult time deciding what to wear. Forty pairs of shoes, twenty pairs of pants, hundreds of blouses and dresses, yet she still can’t decide. The fashion police scares her, and on the worship center’s red carpet, she gets the attention of the paparazzi congregation, and focuses to live up to that ‘responsibility’. Everyone is ready for church except her.

This modern day scenario may seem funny and quite true in our respective families, but it is as well reflective how we Christians today tend to be like the Israelites. This Christian worships the glamor of the world. She has given way to modern-day idols. Her God has become herself, and to please her desire and please people have taken over meeting, focusing and experiencing God.

Jeremiah Chapters 4-6 depict Israel’s sin, Jeremiah’s frustration and describes God’s anger. Israel has given way to the gods of other nations and wore jewelry and gold to favor gods, instead of God. They have forgotten their identity and forgotten God’s love, mercy and compassion to their nation. God saw the nonsense Israel was doing, and this spurred God to give them an intense awakening.

We go to church and our focus is on our appearance. We go about our business in school and work and our focus is on getting ahead. Does this describe you?

Application

Do we wait for God’s wrath to realize that we sometimes choose the world instead of Him? Pray and ask for forgiveness now.

Tests, Trials and Thanksgiving

I answered God's call for my life earlier this year. He led me to finally give up my career, and study in the Seminary (International Graduate School of Leadership) to become a Pastor. God has been affirming this decision in so many ways: through different people, through circumstances, and through His word. But despite my me being in the seminary, despite experiencing God's affirmation and despite enjoying my ministry involvements, it has not been easy at all both emotionally and spiritually. It just started to get difficult. 

Here are the reasons why:

1. The First Test

I was at LSGH to pick up my brother when all of a sudden, smoke came out the sides of the hood of my car. It was not engine overheat, it saw something else. I finally opened the hood of my car to see that the engine of my Chevrolet Optra was on fire. The wiring, the plastic engine cover, everything was being consumed fast by the flame. It was spreading really fast. I finally was able to pour water over the engine. Soon after, LSGH security personnel rushed to my car and doused the car with the fire extinguisher.

2. The Second Test

While the Optra was on rehab, I used our Toyota "Macho" Crown. Toyota will always be the most reliable car company in my book, but for some odd reason, even after making sure that same morning that the car was in good running condition, as fate would have it, our  macho stalled and broke down along J. Vargas. P2,000.00 down the drain for towing fee.

3. The Third Test

Maybe because of old age or fluctuating electricity, our PC was not functioning normally. The CPU was re-starting on its own. Our PC needed a new Motherboard and Memory. That's P3,650.00 down the drain, again. I had my own laptop yes, so this was not as bad as it seemed. I didn't really need the PC. But then the Fifth test happened...

4. The Fourth Test

I was able to arrange and plan for two events that day. The Youth Worship and the Healing Seminar. I had things set and prepared already for both events: The practices, songs, the band, everything! But due to a last minute unavailability of personnel, I had to reluctantly step in. I had to stay in church when I should be at the Department of Foreign Affairs for my passport renewal. My event was supposed to start 8AM and finish at 9AM, but I ended up leaving church 10:15AM! I only had a few minutes left for my 10-11AM timeslot in DFA. To top it all of, traffic was bad southbound of EDSA at that time. 

5. The Fifth Test

Two cars were already out of commission: The Optra and the Crown. Thank God, we still had the Hyundai Tucson. You'd think I already had my fair share of car troubles right? Wrong. While I was having lunch with a friend, my car parked along Scout Ferndandez (Tomas Morato), got victimized by the "Basag Kotse" and stole the following items inside my car:

• Three Bibles (Two NIV's, One KJV)
• Apple I-book 
• Books for school
• Lexus Flash drive
• Lexus 2011 Planner
• Handouts
• Paper works
• Assignments
• Reflection Papers
• Youth LIVE Worship Team Training Files

So as you can see, it has been difficult for me emotionally and spiritually. All this was happening in less than a month's time. Things just kept piling up, one after the other. But losing my laptop was the most difficult thing to bear. My sermon outlines, my papers, my unfinished songs and recordings. All gone. A big part of my life was inside that laptop. Now, it's probably being sold in some stall somewhere in Quiapo or Greenhills.

But in spite of everything that had happened, just as God had promised, God was there for me and my family every step of the way. Here's how:

1. The First Thanksgiving

Due to three of our cars breaking down, my mom thought of buying a new car to ease our transportation difficulties as a family. After much prayer, my mom was able to get a great deal from Hyundai Dasmarinas, God gave us a new 2011 Accent. My mom prayed and sought wisdom from the Lord. God gave her an answer, and the car she wanted. 

2. The Second Thanksgiving

God provided us great Christian friends who encouraged me (and my family) during my time of need. On the evening of the Tucson incident, my ministry leaders took me out for a meal at Burger King for some comfort food and I received encouraging text messages from numerous friends! The best thing people did for me though was, they prayed for me. They took time to talk to God just for me.

3. The Third Thanksgiving

Even though traffic was bad Saturday morning southbound of EDSA, I managed to make it to DFA just-in-time to finish everything I needed to do all in just one hour. I will receive my new passport on the 25th of the month. 

3. The Fourth Thanksgiving

Just this Sunday morning, without warning or even specifically asking God for anything, anonymous person/s from chuch who found out about my story, informed me that they wanted to give me a laptop! My jaws dropped to the floor when I found out about the news. In just a span of two days, God responds in a BIG way. So after Sunday morning service, I went back to GCF for my package. I opened it and this is what I received:

• Lenovo IdealPad Z370
• A4Tech Optical Mouse
• Belkin LCD Cleaning System
• Dicota Lenovo Laptop Bag

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is who my God is. It is indeed really difficult to understand why bad things happen to people, but it is comforting to know that God understands what we are going through, He hears our heart longings and needs even before we ask, and He provides. 

As it is written in Job 42:1-6 (NIV):

¹ Then Job replied to the LORD:
² “I know that you can do all things;
no plan of yours can be thwarted.

³ You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?’
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,

things too wonderful for me to know.

⁴ “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak;
I will question you,

and you shall answer me.’

⁵ My ears had heard of you
but now my eyes have seen you.

⁶ Therefore I despise myself

and repent in dust and ashes.”

Thank you GCF Ortigas family! Thank you Lord!