It's been a while since I posted about my devotional thoughts. Tonight, I've got quite a lot of insights from yesterday & today's readings... so here it goes:

1.) God hates it when we complain (Numbers 11:1).

It shows how much you think of yourself (how much you deserve to have something) and how little you think of God and His knowledge of what's best for you.

I've been observing myself for months now, and I couldn't help but notice how this ugly attitude of complaining slowly gains strength. More so this past month; I've gone from complaining about my situation (mostly about work) to comparing myself to others and how they are going places (literally and figuratively) while poor me (again, L&F) never gets anywhere. I've finally narrowed down the causes of this feeling into one: spending too much time on Facebook than with God.

Tonight's insight #1 has been a wake-up call for me. I mean, how can I miss this obvious prompting from God? Verse 1 palang, lesson na kaagad!

2.) A discontented / dissatisfied attitude springs from an amnesiac heart (Numbers 11:4).

When we allow ourselves to forget, even for a single second, what God has done for us in the past - how he always came through for us, not a second too late or even a single centavo short - discontentment and dissatisfaction will come barging right in.

So, lest we forget, we must take active part in reminding ourselves of victories in our lives. And an excellent way of doing that is by keeping a journal or a blog about it. You can also put up a "Victory Wall" in your room to constantly remind you that God ALWAYS comes through.

"The Lord answered Moses, 'Is the Lord's arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come through for you.'" Numbers 11:23

3.) Check your motives whenever you start criticizing others (Numbers 12:1-3).

"Before criticizing someone else, we need to pause long enough to discover our own motives. Failing to do this can bring disastrous results. What is often labeled as "constructive criticism" may actually be "destructive jealousy" since the easiest way to raise our own status is to bring someone else down." (Life Application Study Bible notes-Numbers 12)

4.) God always fulfills His promises, but He will also exact disciplinary action to those who need to be disciplined (Numbers 14:22-34).

Those who complained and got smart-mouthed with God failed to enter the Promised Land. Does that mean God broke His promise to them? No. They chose for themselves when they failed to trust God again and again. Remember, God was merciful to them. He gave them numerous chances to return to Him, but they were really a very forgetful and historical people. They kept on bringing up their longing to return to Egypt, remembering only the good food they had there but forgetting their suffering and the extent of God's coming through for them (freedom from oppression, crossing the Red Sea, their chance to become a free nation). So God punished them by letting them wander in the wilderness for 40 years (which wasn't so bad, compared to instant annihilation which God said to Moses in 14:11-12). They may not have gotten in, but they did get a glimpse of it. And the new generation, after the last man in the cursed group who complained died, were able to enter the Promised Land so God did keep His promise. It may not be on the same timetable as the Israelites expected, but God's timing is different from us, after all!

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Reflection:

If, through personal experience, God has always come through for me, what hinders me from trusting in Him with my circumstances?

Can I really still complain and be discontented after knowing that God hates those attitudes?

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Lord, forgive me for complaining and being discontented despite all the countless blessings that I have received from You. Thank you that Your mercies are new every morning. Thank you that you are patient with me. May you always remind me of these lessons whenever I start to be tempted to complain once again. I know you are not finished with me yet, and I thank you because You never fail to steer me in the right direction whenever I start wandering away from You. May I finish strong in this race. Only by Your grace will I be able to do this. In Jesus' Name, amen.

This year's anniversary celebration, though simple, is very different from the past years.

We started the day with a special service, with Rev. Rose Alcoran (STDC Sec.5 Presbyter) as the speaker. Focusing on the story of Feeding the 5,000 from the gospel of John, she talked about how we can make the impossible possible when we surrender it all to the Lord Jesus Christ.

After the service, there was a simple fellowship among the congregation. Then, after lunch, some of us went to Valenzuela for the next agenda of the day - Water Baptism service. Two related families (Sis. Gerlie Tiu & kids; Bro. Valiant Chua & family) finally made their faith public by taking part in the ordinance of water baptism. It was a touching moment, seeing 9 members of a clan profess their decision to follow Christ from here onwards.

After the service, we also got to fellowship with the members of our daughter church (who used to be members of Binondo AG, before we planted a church in Valenzuela). Their youth and children's ministry is really progressing - they are actively involved in ministry and you can really see the work of God in their lives in terms of their development in musical and teaching skills, to name a few. Their drummer is only 9 years old! I never would've thought back then that little Carl-carl - who bites when he's not in the mood, was so makulit and used to cry like there's no tomorrow during Sunday School- in just a few years would turn out to be an amazing kid with a special gifting in music. God really uses people, no matter how young they are. Seeing this team in Valenzuela flourish is a testament to God's faithfulness in Binondo Full Gospel Family Center - and that's only a part of it! We could go on all day enumerating how God has worked for and in His body in Binondo and not have enough time for all of it. Suffice it to say that God Is Good, God Is Faithful, and to Him we give back all the glory and praise for He alone deseerves it!

So here I am, at one o'clock in the morning. I'm really just testing Didi and her capabality in assisting me when writing a blog. So far, so good.

Last night, on a whim, I went back to my old blog entries and reread them. Especially my posts tagged as "teaching," and I started to miss writing about the mundane things that's happening in my life. It's good to go back and relive the memories, good and bad. Hence this post.

So here's what's been happening to me:

- Last Tuesday, I watched the championship game between Hope and Xavier. We lost by 11 points, but it's okay. It was still considered a good year for our school because it's the first time in 18 years since we were able to make it to the finals. 18 years, imagine that! It was also great to see my former tutees at their best. They may not be all that enthusiastic academically, but hey, that's not what really matters in the real world. What matters is you do what you have been born to do, and to do it well.

- I have been on a bike hiatus since the start of the year. I haven't been feeling really great; Percy - which I didn't have any problem lifting up and down our stairs last year - suddenly seemed to get heavier and heavier by the minute. I try to bike every now and then, when I feel better, but I find myself tired and breathless and in pain afterwards. It's been a real pain in the a** - excuse my term. I think I strained myself too hard during the past few months. Hay. So sad. I hope to get back into shape soon.

- I wanna go abroad this year. I don't know how, I don't know when, but I really wanna! So help me, dear God!

- I started teaching piano (keyboard) lessons again at church. Antoinette, whom I used to teach but stopped, wanted to continue our lessons. So we did. And we also have her cousin, Nica, joining us as well. We're doing fast paced learning, hoping to be ready by the end of March where they will have to do a mini-recital during our youth fellowship. Exciting! :)

That's it for now... Will try to post pics soon.

P.S. Good job Didi!

Leviticus 18:5

“Keep my decrees and laws, for the man who obeys them will live by them.”
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Ang sundin ninyo’y ang mga tuntuning ibinigay ko sa inyo. Ako si Yahweh, ang inyong Diyos. Ang tutupad nito’y mabubuhay.

Beauty: > Maybelline B.B. Cream> Celeteque facial wash, witch-hazel toner, moisturizer> Neutrogena Fine Fairness line - especially the wash, toner, & the brightening serum> Honeymilk Cleanser & Moisturizer from Ilog Maria - I've only used twice since this writing, but I can see a lasting relationship coming. I love how it's all natural and made from organic products. It's different from Celeteque bec. it's hard to wash off. But I love the way my skin feels after every wash. :) Gadgets: > Ophie - keeps me sane during the crazy hours at the office. I recently bought an iPad (which I named Didi --- and no, it's not a shortcut for "Distraction") but sonehow, I have yet to rave about it. For one thing, Didi's pretty hard to lug around between two offices. I transfer offices every now and then with my current post in HR and Payroll so naturally, I bring my valuables with me. I won't leave Didi behind, even during bathroom breaks, so to save myself the headache (baka mahulog pa while in the midst of peeing-haha!!), I don't bring it. Besides, Ophie's doing such a swell job on her own, and the best part is, she's small enough to fit in my pocket. ;)

Ophelia will have a baby sister soon. :)

Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.
Exodus 14:13

Matthew 18:14
“In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.”

At the risk of sounding like a total hermit, I will still say that recent posts of most of my FB contacts have been nothing but irritating. You'd think that with the new year, people would have resolved to post relevant/important/helpful information. But no, all I see is an alarming rate of vain photos, mushiness between couples, change of relationship status from "single/in a relationship" to "married" (which, by the way, doesn't always seem to be true- they just put "married" and call their boyfriend "hubby" just because they feel like it), and of course, the usual bragging posts (i.e. "Got myself a new phone." or "Shoot! I left my BlACkbERRy at home!"). If not for FB's advantages in spreading IMPORTANT news like upcoming events and victories/testimonies that could actually have some effect in one's life, I would've left a long time ago.So there.

Join us in a special pre-Valentine event as we talk about Love, Courtship & Marriage. Open to all high school / college students, young professionals and married couples. Tickets at P100.00 (inclusive of snacks).

Venue: Caloocan Bethel Assembly of God
504 A. Mabini Street
Caloocan City
(Beside La Consolacion College; near Caloocan City Hall)

For more details, feel free to approach Ptra. Zarah Jane Lim or Bro. Lawrence Tan.

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*Gen.U.Win: Generation - You - Win (translated:Winning the next generation for Christ.)

Assemblies of God World Missions declared 2011 as the Year of the Child. It is our desire to see every child come to know Christ - no child must be left behind.



Today at Junior's carecell, we focused on this particular theme. The kids were introduced to the idea of being under the umbrella of Assemblies of God - a world-wide Christian organization. They were also given the chance to commit their lives to Jesus Christ. Lastly, they made a poster as part of the YOTC campaign, which will be showcased next week in our adult service. :)

Mid-2010 brought about some changes and reshuffling in BFGFC's pastoral staff and ministry team. This year, 2011, we have some new leaders joining the team.


OUR PASTORAL STAFF & MINISTRY TEAM

Rev. Zaldy & Ptra. Angie Lim - Senior Pastors, Prayer Department (Ptra. Angie)

Ptr. Francis & Sis. Lilia Tan - Pastoral Staff

Ptra. Zarah Grace See - Small groups (Carecells) & Discipleship Department

Sis. Carrie Ann Batay & Sis. Doris May See - Youth and Young Adults Department

Ptra. Zarah Jane Lim - Children's Department

Bro. Lawrence Tan - Music Department

Bro. Brznf Yu - Compassion & Evangelism Department

Bro. Mark Anthony Castro - PR (Public Relations/Ushering) Department

Ptr. Jessie & Beng Bacolod - Satellite pastors, Valenzuela Full Gospel Family Center

Ptr. Patrick & Dra. Antonette Tan - Campus Missionaries (Chi Alpha)