Set Apart

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Acts 13:2

The Spirit points out that there is a work set apart for the tandem of Saul and Barnabas. This work is reserved only for the two. Ministry that is especially crafted for them. Service that is in accordance with their present and future gifts and skills. Labor of God which would have challenges and difficulties but designed for Saul and Barnabas to overcome by the grace of God. Work that can be done best only by the two by the guidance of the Spirit. Work to which God called for them. Work that is set apart.

Want to know my punch line? – You, too, my friend have a work set apart!

God has blessed you with skills for you to work on His work. God has given you gifts to become a gift to His people. God has provided you with talents for you to bring more talents to His house.

Maybe that is why you are where you are; Singapore, Delaware, Arizona, Bahrain, California, Dubai, Angeles City, London, Manila, New York, San Fernando, New Jersey, Saudi Arabia, Guam, etc.

Maybe that is why you are who you are; Chair minister, Registration and records servant, Prayer meeting leader, Worship leader, Discussion group leader, Action group leader, Staffer, Branch Leader, Branch Moderator, Music Minister, Finances servant, Administrator, etc.

There is a work set apart for you. Ministry that God designed for you alone to handle. Service that God crafted for you alone to serve Him. Work which God called for you alone.

You are set apart.

Under My Feet

“Sit at my right hand until I place your enemies under your feet.” Mark 12:36

There I was. On our rooftop.

This is one of my “moments”. I sit facing the sky. Relaxing after a school day or helping out in our small family business. Munching pineapple chunks, which my mother is saving for a possible fruit salad dish for the fiesta. Each time I am here, I feel ecstatic and maybe victorious. For everything is under my feet.

All right, expose all your enemies, my friend. Something which makes your life not easy. Something which makes your life not fiesta. Something which makes your life a mixed up like a fruit salad. Can I help you?

* Weakness or habitual sin
* Dwindling family finances
* Declining family health
* Personal and professional concerns at work
* Rocking and not rolling marriage
* Stressed out of living in a corruption laden country
* Difficult relationships in church or community
* Complacency in following Christ
* Self-righteousness and pride
* etc and etc.

Look up to your God. Feel ecstatic. Hope for victory. Sit back. God will put you on the rooftop. His promise, He will place your enemies under your feet.

Stretched

He stretched out his hand, touched him….. Matthew 8:3

When I was young, the stretchable jeans was the fad. And it will fit everyone. Whether you are small, medium, large or extras, the stretchable will fit in.

Jesus stretched out His hand. Jesus did not just wave His hand, He stretched out to touch someone. He did not just reach His hand, He stretched out to heal someone. He did not just hold through His hand, He stretched out to express His care for someone.

Jesus allows us to see a way of life in following Him. Being stretched. Being given away. Being able to fit in in a situation that may not be comfortable. Being a Christian in a place not supportive of your commitment. Being able to fit in faith, hope and love in an unfit occasion. Being able to fit in care in an uncaring world. Being able to fit in healing for the broken and unwanted. You can be one.

Stretch your love. Be patient in living or working with that difficult person.

Stretch your faith. See the unseen by fixing your eyes on Jesus.

Stretch your purpose. Respond to God’s call and go beyond the boundaries of life.

Stretch your hope. Mission possible in God alone.

Stretch your strength. Do everything in God’s way.

Remember, only by His grace we can be stretched out. For Jesus died on the cross for you and me. His hands, stretched.

Not Dead

“……..is not dead but asleep.” Mark 5:39

To be an electrical engineer. I wrote that in every slum note in elementary school.

To be an electrical engineering consultant. I said that to myself when I attended this technical seminar on how it can be done.

I never thought this was the route.

I was a Christ’s Youth in Action (CYA) volunteer staffer who developed and gave teachings and retreats to college students. I was an electrical engineering instructor who can give technical trainings, who can write and publish technical reports and articles. I was an engineer at National Transmission Corporation (Transco) doing various power system studies. Along the way, I acquired an advanced degree and a professional license. All these development and experience in me secured ingredients for me to become an electrical engineering consultant. The route have taken about fourteen years. You read it right. It took sometime.

But with God blessing my efforts and as I offer to Him my efforts, God fulfilled my dreams. In summertime of 2007, I emailed an application to a consulting company in New York, USA. Realize the probability of my application to be accepted, very very small. Yet they offered me the job. Realize the probability that a Filipino will get a US visa in four to six months, very very very small. In November of 2007, I was working for them.

I thought my dream was dead. I thought my ambition won’t be a reality. However, my dream was just asleep. I have to pray for it. I have to work on it. It will wake up sometime and be a reality.

God has to bless each step. God has to prepare each step ahead. God fulfills our dreams.

Death is not in the vocabulary of God.

Come Forward

One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Mark 5:22

On this day, Jairus came forward.

There were many synagogue officials, but only one came forward. Jairus came forward proclaiming he had no one to go but to Jesus alone. Jairus came forward declaring Jesus alone heals and gives hope. He came forward to rest his burden upon Jesus, the burden bearer. He came forward to beg mercy and he was given. He came forward not minding what other people will say or not.

It takes a lot to come forward.

You want to come forward but you worry of ridicule from your friends.
You want to come forward but fearing failure thinking what if everything does not work out.
You want to come forward but you think you are unworthy because of your sins.
You want to come forward but societal inclination tell you not to.
You want to come forward but you have had discouraging past experiences.

Come forward to Jesus. Jesus is greater than ridicule, fear of failure, your sins, your past or present.
Cross the line. Go beyond the boundary. Hurdle the fence.

After all, Jesus gave a lot to come forward.