Pay Attention!

Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.” (Luke 22:7-8)

The critical and decisive point had arrived and Jesus tells His closest disciples to, “Go and make preparations.” Why is it that oftentimes we do not take advantage of the opportune moment? For me, the critical moment is when I am asked about my faith and I stumble and trip over my words leaving my listener with no greater understanding of who Jesus is. Sometimes I miss an opportunity to teach the truth to my children because of my all too important busyness–robbing me of intimacy in my family life. I am sure that you can name your own ways of not making the most of every opportunity.

Scripture tells us that we are to be “very careful” regarding how we are to live:

Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. (Ephesians 5:15-17)

Have you noticed that many times, we just get one shot? Some opportunities only present themselves once.

While Paul tells us we are not to dwell on the past losses or mistakes, we are to strain toward what is ahead in this race called life:

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained. (Philippians 3:12-16)

Let’s be honest, the greatest gift in human history was about to be accomplished for mankind and the disciples were basically unaware. The prophets had foretold it, Jesus had spoken plainly to His closest confidents about it, and still the disciples were, for the most part, clueless. I am reminded of Jesus’ appearance to two of His followers after His resurrection as they walked along the road to Emmaus.

Unaware that it was Jesus, they were downcast and befuddled:

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.

He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

“What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”

He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. (Luke 24:13-27)

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)

Take It to Heart

“Our God is a God who not merely restores, but takes up our mistakes and follies into His plan for us and brings good out of them.” (J. I. Packer)

“Real trust in God is above circumstances and appearances.” (George Muller)

“We mustn’t doubt in the darkness what God has shown us in the light.”

(Robert J. Morgan)

Beth Yoe Devotionals

Copyright © 2014

JesusOnline Ministries

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Great Falls, MT 59405

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Peter Allan C. Mariano

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LETTERS: My Weakness, His Strength

( Original Letter : June 22, 2003 )


To my dear friends in Christ;

Kamusta na kayong lahat diyan? It seems I’m having trouble receiving email traffic from the SFC Muntinlupa egroups, although Pearl confirmed that you received my previous “Letters”. Anyway, I always hope to receive individual emails from all of you – anything from chika-chika, to problems, and to old, plain and simple kamustahan. It would be a source of upliftment and encouragement for me, lalong-lalo na ngayong malayo ako sa inyo at sa iba ko pang mga loved ones.

Mahirap talaga ang buhay-Saudi. I don’t know where people got the notion that Saudi Boys are pa-easy-easy lang; marami at madaling makakuha ng pera; at puro good time. It’s completely the opposite here. But there are also light moments here that I would cherish.

One example is this incident when I went to Batah ( it’s like the Divisoria and Baclaran here in Riyadh, particularly in the Pinoy Market area, para mamasyal (nakaka-buryong naman kasi talaga!!! ). I was wearing this t-shirt that my father sent me. It was a t-shirt that he bought from Bangladesh, while he was working there. It has a very nice rubberized picture printed in the front with the word “Bangladesh” in clear, bold letters below the picture. Now, in Batah, most of the store vendors are Bangladeshi guys, and they were making a big deal of my wearing a t-shirt with “Bangladesh” printed on it. They were very surprised why a clearly Filipino guy would wear a t-shirt such as this. I was wondering why my t-shirt elicited such a reaction from them.

Then it dawned on me. The Bangladeshi people are considered one of the cheapest and the lowest of the low in Saudi’s labor force – while the Pinoy is way up there on top of the ladder. They really look up to us Pinoys as “above” their class. No wonder their eyes bulged when they saw me wearing a t-shirt like that. It would have been different if they saw me with a t-shirt saying Chicago Bulls, Italy or even Cebu….. but Bangladesh…. a… a….

The Bangladesh people are not the only ones who look up to the Pinoy this way, but the other nationalities as well – Nepali; Pakistani; Indian; Sudanese; Thailanders; etc. Even the western nationals – the Brits and the Yanks – would choose a Pinoy over the other nationals any day. But you know what, we Pinoys tend to be rude and arrogant to other nationalities because of that – even to our own. Let’s face it – the Pinoy has many strengths, even rivaling what the rest of the world has to offer – but we also have flaws that tend to negate these strengths, pulling us all down – specially with regards to our kalokohans.

In a society where a man could not associate with a woman in public unless they’re married – Pinoys still find ways to have “dates” – irregardless of their date’s marital status, if you know what I mean. In a society where possession of liquor is punishable by law ( in the old days, it would be a death sentence) – Pinoys still have a way to make their own homemade brew, and make profits out of it. ( Not only liquor, but even drugs. ) In a society where gambling is prohibited – Pinoys flourish with Pusoy, Tong-its, Mahjong, the local version of huweteng, and I’ve heard even sabong. ( There’s a whole lot more, and this prompted me to write about it as a script which I submitted to Star Cinema. I’ll share that to you later on. )

These things tend to pull the Pinoy down. But those who perpetrate these things are even proud that they can get away with it – and alas, most Pinoys here would agree. Blame it on homesickness, they would say . Yeah, that word again – homesick.

I think I’ve written to you before how homesickness could really gnaw up to your bone marrow, for someone who’s away from their loved ones for a long time – just like me. But in these hours of weakness, in these moments of vulnerability, who do we turn to? Just like David, we turn to Him:

“ The Lord is my strength and my shield,
in him my heart trusts. ”
Psalm 28:7 RSV

For the Lord said :

“ God said I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. ”
Isaiah 41:10 RSV

And He Himself showed us the way :

“ For we do not have a High Priest who is unable
to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have One
who has been tempted in every way, just as we are –
yet was without sin. ”
Hebrews 4:15 NIV

Paul was one of the greatest Apostles, although he was not one of the original Twelve. He was entrusted by God surpassing wisdom and knowledge never before revealed to man – and thus he was tasked with the ministry of bringing the Good News to the gentiles – to us. And yet, he did not boast of this greatness, nor let it get into his head. In fact, he himself said :

“ If I must boast, I will boast of the things
that shows my weakness. ”
2 Corinthians 11:30 NIV

Bible scholars say that Paul has some form of deformity in his body. Some say he may have been a hunchback and others speculate that he may have been a Stigmata ( having a wound identical to Christ – and it won’t heal ). And any of these things came upon him during his ministry to the gentiles. He himself chronicled this in his letter :

“ To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a THORN IN MY FLESH a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me, but He said to me, ‘My Grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ’s Power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong . ”
2 Corinthians 12: 7-10 NIV

“My Power is made perfect in WEAKNESS,” that’s what Jesus said to Paul – and the same applies to us. It’s during the time of weakness that we should rely more on Him – in fact we should rely everything on Him. The more we put our trust in Him, the more His power in us is made more evident.

Easily said than done, ‘di ba? In times of weakness, in times of loneliness, in times of brokenness – we tend to lose our trust in Him. We rely more on what we know we have – our own strength – and tend to lose whatever faith we got.

But if we learn to rely more on Him in everything – lalong-lalo na sa mga oras na walang-wala na talagang pag-asa or give-up ka na – we’ll soon discover that He really is true to His promises; that He really is our refuge and strength, a very present help ( take note of the word “present” meaning timing) in times of trouble ( Psalm 46:1). I know – I’ve experienced it first hand so many times. And taking Paul’ example :

“ I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength . ”
Philippians 4: 12-13 NIV

“ I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Wow! Strong words, strong implications – but these are not merely words, mind you.

How can we learn to trust in Him? Know His Promises. And how do we do that? – by contemplating on His Word. You know, there are times when I really feel down. Even though I’ve just talked with Mommy Jing or Kenji on the phone, once you’ve been hit by homesickness, it really gets kind of lonely out here. What do I do? I gain strength through His Words. In this strict society where other religion is banned, I happen to accidentally ( if I could really term it an “accident” as this has been one of “mysterious ways” from God ) found a small booklet called “Daily Strength”. True to its title, His Words that is contained in this small booklet really sustains me, for, as the first Scripture reference in this book says :

“ That… by the encouragement of the Scriptures
we might have hope . ”
Romans 15:4 RSV

So, my brothers and sisters, learn to trust in Him. As the song goes, “…lean not on your own understanding”. In times of weakness – look to Him – and you’ll find strength – His Strength.

At the precise moment that I’m writing this letter, I was also communicating with Pearl ( thru SMS ) that you guys are there together with the Couples at the CFC Family Ministries Anniversary. Wow, I sure do hope I could be there with you so we could rock the place together. Anyway, I know that He, the Rock Himself, is there with you…. to give you STRENGTH in everything. See ya later!!!

Shalom,
Brod. Pete

“ I lift up my eyes to the hills,
from whence does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved,
He who keeps you will not slumber.”
Psalm 121:1-3 RSV



“Letters from my Sojourn”
© 2008 by Peter Allan Mariano

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Compound Interest

( I would like to share an article from my friend Richard Rundell)

Einstein said that the greatest thing was compound interest. What is compound interest? You earn interest on not only the principal but also on the interest earned. Interest on the interest. Who created the concept of compound interest? God. If God created it for the financial world then would not He also apply that same principle to spiritual things? Paul wrote to the Ephesians,

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen”
(Eph 3:20-21).

Neither God’s love nor power is limited by our imaginations.

God does not subtract or add but multiplies and He does not just multiply but multiples at a compound rate. What is God’s interest rate? Five percent? No! A thousand percent or a million percent, whatever the need. Did He not multiply the loaves and fishes to feed 5,000 men plus women and children?

When God gives you revelation knowledge and you put it into practice, He gives you not only new revelation knowledge the next day or moment, but also revelation knowledge applied to the revelation knowledge He just gave you. That is compounding. Just as your savings account does not just sit in a bank vault but the banker invests it in means of production, so we must first acknowledge the gifts and blessings God gives us and second, put them into practice. But just as the banker needs the initial deposit with which to work with or to apply interest, we need to study and meditate on the Scriptures in order for God to have something with which to work and begin to compound.

Revelation knowledge is not a dead end street. But as we receive revelation knowledge, it opens new doors to further revelation knowledge. Remember that Peter, by revelation knowledge, declared that Jesus was the Christ (Matt. 16:16). We can apply the same principle to our initial salvation experience. It is not an end in itself but the beginning of our Christian walk and a glorious relationship with Jesus Christ. The gifts of the Spirit likewise are not ends in themselves but the beginning of a means to help us bless the body of Christ and to give glory to God.

God not only gives us blessings but blesses (compounds) those blessings. He not only grants us holiness but compounds that holiness with a holy application of that holiness. What about grace? God not only gives us grace but graces (compounds) the grace He has just given us.

As we receive the love that God imparts to us, and we reach out to others with that love, God compounds that love by heaping new forms of love on our very acts of love. The same principle applies to joy, peace and other characteristics of the Christian life God gives to us. Let us rejoice for His unspeakable, exceeding, abundant love for us.


© Richard Rundell
www.kingdombiblenuggets.org


shared by:

Peter Allan C. Mariano

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LETTERS: Failure - So What?

( Original Letter : February 16, 2003 )


To my dear friends in Christ;


Greetings my friends! What a JOY it is for me to write for you once more. May you all be in good condition and away from sickness of any form. At the time this letter was written, there was still the looming threat of the possible US-Iraq war. I hope that you all have been praying for us here, praying for peace to avert war.

The Eid Holidays have just concluded. This is what’s considered as the New Year’s celebration here by the Muslim people, and during this period, many are going on the Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah, their Holy City. One thing I noticed though with those going on Hajj: before they leave, they would greet everybody and ask forgiveness for all their shortcomings, and failures, real or imagined, from everyone.

Speaking of Failures, the Lord inspired me to write something about this critical topic for you. I know that this would be a good guide for those who are suffering from the setbacks caused by failures that they encountered in their lives. I know…. because I experienced them myself first hand.

I heard a lot of stories, both from RP and from other countries, about people being so depressed because of their failures that they would lose all motivation to go on with their lives. Others would even go the extremes and would eventually commit suicide ( some would even take others with them before they kill themselves. ) Failure in business; failure in their political career; failure in marriage; failure in their love life… the list would go endless. Likewise, you and I have undoubtedly experienced failure one time or another in our lives. But what has been our response to failure? Did we just give up, wither and die like the rest of them? Or did we pick ourselves up from the ashes and start afresh?

Failure is not the end of all things, nor is it the indication that your world had just ceased to exist. It should give us the motivation to go on with our lives and strive to be better. Have you ever pondered on these things when you experienced failure? ….maybe it’s the way we do things that caused us to fail…. maybe, it’s our perspective in life… maybe the Lord is trying to get our attention or trying to tell us something… maybe He’s trying to correct what we’re doing and put us in the right path – because He loves us.

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son.”
Hebrews 12: 5b-6 NIV

I view failure as a signal from the Lord that, ooops, I’m straying from the path – okay… regroup!!! It’s painful actually, most of the time, but what we gain after the experience would be more than what we bargained for, or even deserve. We become stronger, wiser, braver, etc and etc. Mary Tyler Moore puts it beautifully :

“You can’t be brave if you’ve only had wonderful things happen to you. ”
Mary Tyler Moore

And yes, the Bible explains this as clear as the day :

“Our father disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. ”
Hebrews 12: 10-11 NIV

There are a lot of instances in the Bible where people failed, but got up and started anew, then finally made it big. Take Peter for example ( the Apostle… not me… hehehe ), he was overly zealous in saying to Jesus that he would die, while others would flee, before anyone could take Jesus away. But what happened? He disowned Jesus! Three times!!! ( see Luke 22: 59-62 ). Wala na siyang mukhang maihaharap pa kay Jesus no’n, after what he has done. But when Mary Magdalene, together with James’ mother and Salome, went to the tomb of Jesus where He was laid after His death, they got this message from an angel :

“But when they looked up, they saw that the stone which was very large, had been rolled away. They entered the tomb, then they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. ‘Don’t be alarmed’ he said ‘You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples, AND PETER, He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him, just as He told you.’ ”
Mark 16: 4-7 NIV

Take note of this passage… “But go… tell His disciples AND PETER.”!!! Special mention pa siya. The others only ran away, but he denied Jesus three times… but he was mentioned specifically by the Angel. Now, how’s that for someone who failed miserably.

I experienced the same thing in my walk with the Lord. Three times He called me to serve Him. Three times I responded…. but all three failed, one way or the other. First was in college…. in a religious group for students there at UST. Next was at ELIM Community, where I started serving in the Music Ministry and as part of the Art Committee. The last one was when I served as head of the Singles For Christ Unit in Amkor/Anam. Everything was going well, until I got a “good” job wherein I earned dollars while staying in the Philippines. Paldo tayo noon, mga kaibigan! But even though I gained a lot back then materially, I lost touch with the SFC Group, which was my ministry. Then I slowly went back to my old ways – goodtime dito, goodtime doon – paldo nga kasi e, ang daming pera. Then my relationship with Mommy Jing got strained…. and we went farther apart as I went deeper and deeper into the pit. So, what did the Lord do? He took away my job, plain and simple. I lost the job, and had no stable income for more than a year, and was up to my neck in debts.

But when I look back through those days of struggle, I knew that the Lord was with me all the way. Kinalabit Niya ako, mabuti naman at lumingon ako. I got my life back on track. I got a new job and slowly recovered in that aspect. Mommy Jing and I grew stronger in our relationship – and were rewarded with Kenji!!! And my relationship with Him has been growing ever since.

I experienced failure big time, but the Lord never let me go. He helped me get up, and offered me another opportunity to serve Him anew – this time with CFC and SFC of Muntinlupa… o ‘di ba? Just like Peter, my tokayo, in the Gospel. The Lord, after His resurrection, asked Peter three times “Simon, do you truly love me more than these?” and he replied three times also “Yes Lord, you know that I love you.” (see John 21:15-17). His previous failures have been vindicated by the Lord, and he was restored to His graces. That was His personal calling for me too, when He told me to go back to him --- Peter, feed my lambs…. and I responded…. and won’t ever back down, never again!

So, my brothers and sisters, don’t lose heart whenever you experience failure. Ask yourselves the questions I outlined to you earlier. And remember these words of Paul, and you would find yourself in the right track :

“But whatever was to my profit, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.. ”
Philippians 3: 7-8 NIV

I hope that you received something from what I just shared with you. It would be a great joy for me if I could hear some response from the rest of you, as what I felt when I received emails from the others. I urge you to share these letters to the other SFC’s or other members from your own community (ask me if you need a copy of the previous ones) who don’t have access to the internet. Print them, give it to them, and/or read them during your household or prayer meetings – they could make a good discussion topic if you want to.

Continue to pray for me and for the situation in the Middle East. Please pray for my three friends : Kuya Efren; Kuya Muloy and Kuya Tony; who are still stranded here in KSA awaiting the result of their complaint against their employer from the Saudi Labor courts. Also, please pray for the soul of our Uncle Boy, who recently passed away. I always pray for you back there. I hope you do the same for me too. May the Lord bless you all and keep you, and may He provide you with everything you need, in Jesus’ Name.

Failure doesn’t mean you are a failure; it means you have not succeeded.
Failure doesn’t mean you accomplished nothing; it means you have learned something.
Failure doesn’t mean that you have been a fool; it means you had a lot of faith.
Failure doesn’t mean you’ve been disgraced; it means you were willing to try.
Failure doesn’t mean you don’t have it; it means you have to do
something in a different way.
Failure doesn’t mean you are inferior; it means you are not perfect.
Failure doesn’t mean you’ve wasted your life; it means you have
a reason to start afresh.
Failure doesn’t mean you should give up; it means you must try harder.
Failure doesn’t mean you’ll never make it; it means it will take
a little longer.
-- unknown --

Shalom,
Brod. Pete


“Letters from my Sojourn”
© 2008 by Peter Allan C. Mariano

Talakayan at Kalusugan - DWAD1098KHz 10-11am Every Tuesday 
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“ He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor requite us according to our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.”
Psalm 103:10-12 RSV