How can I make myself more available for God’s use?
Verses from the bible:
Later on God tested Abraham’s faith and obedience. “Abraham!” God called.
“Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.” Genesis 22:1
The Lord came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!”
And Samuel replied, “Yes, your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:10
I heard the LORD asking, “Whom I should send as a messenger to my people? Who will go for us?”
And I said, “Lord, I’ll go! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8
…being available for someone means that you are prepared and willing to offer help. Being available to God includes the continual development of the gifts he has given you so that you will be prepared for him to use you. It then involves the willingness to use those gifts to serve him in the calling he currently has for you. Do you know the unique gifts God has given for you? If not, take a spiritual gifts assessment and ask your friends what they think your gifts are.
“If you keep yourself pure, you will be a utensil God can use for his purpose. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21
Reflection and prayer:
Dear God, I thank You for this privilege to serve you full time in the Diocese of Kuching, and now that I am posted to St. Luke’s Sri Aman I want to be a good priest; serving you and the church and making Jesus the centre of my ministry.
Lord, I pray that I will always be in the attitude of genuine humility that I don’t try to be a hero or a lone ranger who wants to be remembered for making a significant impact. Significant impact is good, but if it is only to show off and with a personal agenda it is worthless and of the world. Rather, I just want to be someone who is remembered for doing great things in small ways.
Father, grant me wisdom to ‘change the people for the Church’ and deliver me from the temptation to ‘change the Church for the people’ because I am here to repair and to rebuild Your church, to contribute to make it grow.
Lord, if there is any iniquities in my I heart, I earnestly pray that you will remove them completely from my mind and my spirit, and create in me a heart to serve you to the fullness of my life here on earth.
Holy Spirit, you are my guide and my teacher, continue to grant we wisdom and knowledge for this ministry. Lord, I do not want to depend on human for I do not want ‘human-result’ but I want to totally depend on you for I know your ability and a limitless power.
Rejoicing in you, I want to once again declare that I ask this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
“What should I do when people aren’t interested in hearing about Jesus?”
Verses to memorize:
My job was to plant the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God, not me, who made it grow. (1 Corinthians 3:6)
When they heard Paul speaks of the resurrection of a person who had been dead, some laughed, but some others said, “We want to hear more about this later.” That ended Paul’s discussion with them, but some joined him and became believers. (Acts 17:32-34).
You must give them my messages whether they listen or not. (Ezekiel 2:7)
…sometimes our role will simply be to plant a seed. Your job isn’t to make people believe- only the Holy Spirit can soften and prepare people’s hearts. Continue to live out what you believe and begin by building initial relationships with those who need to hear about Jesus. Trust God to prepare them and to provide the opportunity to share his love.
This is what God has promised to each one of us…”if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded”…Matthew 10:42.
My job was to plant the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God, not me, who made it grow. (1 Corinthians 3:6)
When they heard Paul speaks of the resurrection of a person who had been dead, some laughed, but some others said, “We want to hear more about this later.” That ended Paul’s discussion with them, but some joined him and became believers. (Acts 17:32-34).
You must give them my messages whether they listen or not. (Ezekiel 2:7)
…sometimes our role will simply be to plant a seed. Your job isn’t to make people believe- only the Holy Spirit can soften and prepare people’s hearts. Continue to live out what you believe and begin by building initial relationships with those who need to hear about Jesus. Trust God to prepare them and to provide the opportunity to share his love.
This is what God has promised to each one of us…”if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded”…Matthew 10:42.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
How can I overcome my fear of witnessing?
How can I overcome my fear of witnessing?
God’s response:
1. Now go, and do as what I have told you. I will help you speak well, and I will tell you what to say. (Exodus 4:12)
2. I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply! (Luke 21:15)
3. If you are asked about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. (1 Peter 3:15).
First, take time to study the gospel message so you can be sure of what you believe and of how to explain it to others. When God prepares an opportunity for you to share your faith, you can be sure that he will also equip you with the words that you need. Just continue to surprise people by loving them in unexpected ways and then be willing to explain why you do.
God’s promise:
Do not tremble; do not be afraid. Have I not proclaimed from ages past what my purposes are for you? You are my witnesses- is there any other GOD? No! There is no other ROCK- not one! (Isaiah 44:8)
God’s response:
1. Now go, and do as what I have told you. I will help you speak well, and I will tell you what to say. (Exodus 4:12)
2. I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply! (Luke 21:15)
3. If you are asked about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. (1 Peter 3:15).
First, take time to study the gospel message so you can be sure of what you believe and of how to explain it to others. When God prepares an opportunity for you to share your faith, you can be sure that he will also equip you with the words that you need. Just continue to surprise people by loving them in unexpected ways and then be willing to explain why you do.
God’s promise:
Do not tremble; do not be afraid. Have I not proclaimed from ages past what my purposes are for you? You are my witnesses- is there any other GOD? No! There is no other ROCK- not one! (Isaiah 44:8)
Monday, November 30, 2009
God-centered living
God-centered living
Part of the book of Genesis is the record of God accomplishing His purposes through Abraham. It is not the record of Abraham’s walk with God. Can u see the difference of focus? The focus of the Bible is God. The essence of sin is a shift from a God-centeredness to a self-centeredness. The essence of salvation is a denial of self, not affirming of self. We must come to a denial of self and a return to a God-centeredness with our lives. Then God has us where He can accomplish through us purposes He had before he created the world. Though more could be said, here are some descriptions of the life orientations available to you:
Self-centered:
• Life focus on self.
• Proud of self and self’s accomplishments
• Affirming self
• Seeking to be acceptable to the world and its ways
• Looking at circumstances from a human perspective
• Selfish and ordinary living
God-centered
• Confidence in God
• Dependence on God and his ability and provision
• Life focused on God and His activity
• Humble before God
• Denying self
• Seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness
• Seeking God’s perspective in every circumstances
• Holy and godly living
Sounds too ideal to live out? Yes they are, to the point that some believers said ‘only pastors and priests and some extreme religious freaks can do that…not me!’ but THAT is what following Jesus is all about- to make him the centre of our lives, live for him and at the same time glorifying the Father in whatever we do, be it in the office or school.
It is not necessarily that u pretend and subsequently have to appear holy in public just to be recognized as good and faithful believers, no. It’s not about keeping all the laws unbroken and imposed others to exercise their faith on your pace. The Pharisees did that and they failed miserably.
Too often that we hear sermons that focus on ‘my holiness’ instead of ‘God’s holiness’, sermons that uplifted certain finite mortals instead of the infinite God. Sunday sermons that should be about God’s grace has now transformed into a time for judging others and how ‘not-to-be-like-them’ seminar. What a sad scene it is to see Christians setting themselves apart from other ‘immature Christians’ (as they called it) thinking that by doing so, they are pleasing God. It is easy to be proud of ourselves when we are hallucinating in our little comfort zone, but think about this: what is Jesus’ greatest commission? Is it to be complacent about your own ‘holiness’ and setting yourselves apart from others OR to go out and deny yourselves, working together with others against all odds for the sake of the Gospel?
Part of the book of Genesis is the record of God accomplishing His purposes through Abraham. It is not the record of Abraham’s walk with God. Can u see the difference of focus? The focus of the Bible is God. The essence of sin is a shift from a God-centeredness to a self-centeredness. The essence of salvation is a denial of self, not affirming of self. We must come to a denial of self and a return to a God-centeredness with our lives. Then God has us where He can accomplish through us purposes He had before he created the world. Though more could be said, here are some descriptions of the life orientations available to you:
Self-centered:
• Life focus on self.
• Proud of self and self’s accomplishments
• Affirming self
• Seeking to be acceptable to the world and its ways
• Looking at circumstances from a human perspective
• Selfish and ordinary living
God-centered
• Confidence in God
• Dependence on God and his ability and provision
• Life focused on God and His activity
• Humble before God
• Denying self
• Seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness
• Seeking God’s perspective in every circumstances
• Holy and godly living
Sounds too ideal to live out? Yes they are, to the point that some believers said ‘only pastors and priests and some extreme religious freaks can do that…not me!’ but THAT is what following Jesus is all about- to make him the centre of our lives, live for him and at the same time glorifying the Father in whatever we do, be it in the office or school.
It is not necessarily that u pretend and subsequently have to appear holy in public just to be recognized as good and faithful believers, no. It’s not about keeping all the laws unbroken and imposed others to exercise their faith on your pace. The Pharisees did that and they failed miserably.
Too often that we hear sermons that focus on ‘my holiness’ instead of ‘God’s holiness’, sermons that uplifted certain finite mortals instead of the infinite God. Sunday sermons that should be about God’s grace has now transformed into a time for judging others and how ‘not-to-be-like-them’ seminar. What a sad scene it is to see Christians setting themselves apart from other ‘immature Christians’ (as they called it) thinking that by doing so, they are pleasing God. It is easy to be proud of ourselves when we are hallucinating in our little comfort zone, but think about this: what is Jesus’ greatest commission? Is it to be complacent about your own ‘holiness’ and setting yourselves apart from others OR to go out and deny yourselves, working together with others against all odds for the sake of the Gospel?
Justification by faith alone.
Justification By Faith
Abram (later ‘Abraham’) is the first to trust God’s promises against all odds. From now on, faith means believing what God says. This simple trust in God’s word counts as ‘righteousness’- being right with God.
The apostle Paul looks back to Abram as the father of all who have faith. Abram wasn’t at peace with God because he was circumsized or had kept God’s law; these developments came later. Abram was right with God because he believed God’s promises. He was old and his wife was past childbearing, but he believed God would give him an heir. He was homeless and a nomad, but he believed that God would give him a land:
‘He did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised’ (Romans 4:20-21)
In the tine of the Reformation, this important truth of ‘justification by faith’ was rediscovered by Martin Luther and others. It became a crucial weapon in the fight against fanciful traditions and superstitious practices in the church.
We are justified (made right with God) by faith alone- not by good deeds, religious devotion or the prayer of others. Such actions may be important ways of expressing our faith; but faith itself is trusting only in what God has done for us, not what we have done for Him.
(Excerpted and paraphrased from ‘Hard Lessons, tough choices’ in The Bible Guide, page 30)
Abram (later ‘Abraham’) is the first to trust God’s promises against all odds. From now on, faith means believing what God says. This simple trust in God’s word counts as ‘righteousness’- being right with God.
The apostle Paul looks back to Abram as the father of all who have faith. Abram wasn’t at peace with God because he was circumsized or had kept God’s law; these developments came later. Abram was right with God because he believed God’s promises. He was old and his wife was past childbearing, but he believed God would give him an heir. He was homeless and a nomad, but he believed that God would give him a land:
‘He did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised’ (Romans 4:20-21)
In the tine of the Reformation, this important truth of ‘justification by faith’ was rediscovered by Martin Luther and others. It became a crucial weapon in the fight against fanciful traditions and superstitious practices in the church.
We are justified (made right with God) by faith alone- not by good deeds, religious devotion or the prayer of others. Such actions may be important ways of expressing our faith; but faith itself is trusting only in what God has done for us, not what we have done for Him.
(Excerpted and paraphrased from ‘Hard Lessons, tough choices’ in The Bible Guide, page 30)
Saturday, November 21, 2009
9 days before i fully serve in a church...
shalom!
it has been a while (yeah, a WHILE!) since i last blogging. i wonder if u r the 1st person to read this blog or the ONLY person to read it, that's why i'm not fond of blogging- not many ppl read my blog yet thousands have heard me preaching on the pulpit. Yes, im a practical guy, unlike many who 'bravely write yet do nothing about it.'
after graduated with a bachelor degree in theology from stm (5 days before my father's demise), i had a wonderful 38 days of full holiday given by my dear Datuk Bishop Bolly. i really appreciate and made full use of the days to help rebuilding my family and also to move in things into our new house. it was then i got a letter from bishop that i'll be sent to St. Luke's Church in Sri Aman to serve there until who knows when.
so now, locking myself in my room (can't really accuse me of being anti social coz it's raining out there, cats and dogs and some zebras), im figuring out what to do in the church that i've been assigned to. i cant be as ROCK as before, for people expected me to be a typical Anglican priest in the diocese of Kuching...anyway, i will dig deep and hard to find the balance. i know this because God is with me.
that's all for now folks!
-rock rod rodriguez-
it has been a while (yeah, a WHILE!) since i last blogging. i wonder if u r the 1st person to read this blog or the ONLY person to read it, that's why i'm not fond of blogging- not many ppl read my blog yet thousands have heard me preaching on the pulpit. Yes, im a practical guy, unlike many who 'bravely write yet do nothing about it.'
after graduated with a bachelor degree in theology from stm (5 days before my father's demise), i had a wonderful 38 days of full holiday given by my dear Datuk Bishop Bolly. i really appreciate and made full use of the days to help rebuilding my family and also to move in things into our new house. it was then i got a letter from bishop that i'll be sent to St. Luke's Church in Sri Aman to serve there until who knows when.
so now, locking myself in my room (can't really accuse me of being anti social coz it's raining out there, cats and dogs and some zebras), im figuring out what to do in the church that i've been assigned to. i cant be as ROCK as before, for people expected me to be a typical Anglican priest in the diocese of Kuching...anyway, i will dig deep and hard to find the balance. i know this because God is with me.
that's all for now folks!
-rock rod rodriguez-
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
a true story in a seminary...
shalom all,
today i want to share a story that i think some of the seniors are quite familiar with. it happened some years ago, in a seminary. bear in mind that seminary is not immune to strange incidents.
let's just name the character as 'A'.
to cut the story short, one evening A realized that the sky was getting dark indicating a thunderstorm is on its way. he was in a class at that time, in a lecture room. since everyone was so absorbed with the lecture, he volunteered himself to go back to the hostel to retrieve his clothes from the clothesline. upon reaching the place, he saw that there were MANY clothes still hanging on the clothesline and it had started raining. the rain was getting heavier.....
he has TWO options:
1. gets his own clothes, only his, and runs back to the class without getting wet. who want to get wet for others, right????
2. retrieve all the clothes regardless of their owner and get soaked wet in the rain (for the sake of the community).
'A' chose the 2nd option.
the consequences? he went back to the class and people were laughing at him..hahahaha....he was soaked wet and the class almost ended...poor guy..!
IF U WERE THAT GUY, WHICH OPTION WOULD U TAKE?
IF U HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THE SAME TODAY, WOULD U DO THE SAME?
LOOK OUTSIDE, AT THE CLOTHESLINE.
'A' had to re-wash his clothes tonight....
the moral of the story is:
THE NEXT TIME I HELP TO RETRIEVE PEOPLE'S CLOTHES FROM THE CLOTHESLINE, I WILL BRING MY UMBRELLA SO THAT I WON'T GET WET.....IT'S OK THAT I GOT WET, AS LONG AS I HAD HELP OTHERS....
today i want to share a story that i think some of the seniors are quite familiar with. it happened some years ago, in a seminary. bear in mind that seminary is not immune to strange incidents.
let's just name the character as 'A'.
to cut the story short, one evening A realized that the sky was getting dark indicating a thunderstorm is on its way. he was in a class at that time, in a lecture room. since everyone was so absorbed with the lecture, he volunteered himself to go back to the hostel to retrieve his clothes from the clothesline. upon reaching the place, he saw that there were MANY clothes still hanging on the clothesline and it had started raining. the rain was getting heavier.....
he has TWO options:
1. gets his own clothes, only his, and runs back to the class without getting wet. who want to get wet for others, right????
2. retrieve all the clothes regardless of their owner and get soaked wet in the rain (for the sake of the community).
'A' chose the 2nd option.
the consequences? he went back to the class and people were laughing at him..hahahaha....he was soaked wet and the class almost ended...poor guy..!
IF U WERE THAT GUY, WHICH OPTION WOULD U TAKE?
IF U HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THE SAME TODAY, WOULD U DO THE SAME?
LOOK OUTSIDE, AT THE CLOTHESLINE.
'A' had to re-wash his clothes tonight....
the moral of the story is:
THE NEXT TIME I HELP TO RETRIEVE PEOPLE'S CLOTHES FROM THE CLOTHESLINE, I WILL BRING MY UMBRELLA SO THAT I WON'T GET WET.....IT'S OK THAT I GOT WET, AS LONG AS I HAD HELP OTHERS....
-GOT PURITY?-
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