Reflection # 1
- “It is a horrible thing to tell a lie; but it is a pitiful thing to believe a lie.”
We all know that a lie is a lie. Whether or not it is meant to cause good (than harm), it is still a lie. But why do people lie? There may be tons of reasons to cover multiple situations. But one thing is for sure, when we lie, we hold back the truth. Therefore, if God is Truth, Whenever we lie, we hold back God. We conceal God’s message of Truth. We fear that , the truth will bring out emotions. And these emotions may lead to unfavorable setbacks to relationships. But we are to be reminded in 1 Thessalonians 2:4, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. The devil is the prince of lies, he will tirelessly lure us into his trap. If we do not speak the truth, then the Lord our God is not with us. So let us always be mindful when we speak our words. It should contain the Truth , and nothing but the truth.
2. “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
My desire to follow the Lord has always been consistent. But I confess, my actions and ability to do so speak otherwise. I sometimes caught myself in a situation where I’m doing the opposite of what is expected for me to be done. But thank God, he has always been merciful and loving. Truly it is not easy to be a disciple of Jesus. But it is also true that it is not impossible. With divine intervention and grace, we are being changed every single time. We just need to be open to really experience and openly accept God’s pruning. He will work and mold you like a Potter with his clay. I’m still a work in progress, and I continue to remind myself to be humble and welcome (and trust) God’s workings in my life.
3. “It is possible for such people to receive divine revelation, but it is also possible for them to put hindrances in the way of the divine purpose.”
Have you ever experienced a divine revelation before? Thankfully, I had. It was both a blessing and a privilege to hear God speak to you either through a prophesy or through an encounter. But admittedly, it was also a creepy experience. As a young boy and later on a young man, I frequently experienced premonitions or Déjà Vu. Where things that happened (or happening) seem to be the exact result of a previous visions. I marvel at these situations but at the same time wonder why am I experiencing this. More often than not, I just ignore them and move on with my life. A good question to ask ourselves, are we allowing the Lord to use us and our God-given gifts to bless His people? If not, then why? Are we holding back because we are afraid of the possible implications? Or probably, we are too afraid to be used, because of the perceptions and what others may think of us. We should not hold back, allow the Spirit of God to radiate and flow from us. That it may be a source of blessing and a channel of grace to others.
“He mistook himself for the man he desired to be.”
- Peter had an intense desire to follow the Lord except that he was doomed to fail because of his flawed human nature - erratic, emotional, unstable and ever changing with the times.
- I often find myself in the same situation wherein I truly desire to live my life for the Lord especially when in prayer during mass, a gathering or a retreat. But the moment I step out of the church or prayer meeting and go out to the real world, I easily transform back to my old self and forget my promises to the Lord. How I wish I could always stay in the confines of the church or community where I’m constantly reminded of God’s presence and his grace.
“The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
- Oftentimes our desires are ruled by our emotions that are ever changing. If we rely more on ourselves and less on the Lord, it is like building a house on sandy ground that is easily washed away during floods.
- In the few short years that I have been following the Lord, I realize that it is all about grace. There is totally nothing that I have contributed to the blessings received or the good works rendered except for giving my “yes” to the Lord. I am but a partaker of his grace and the Lord does the rest.
“It is possible for such people to receive divine revelation, but it is also possible for them to put hindrances in the way of the divine purpose.”
- Peter was blessed to have received divine revelation but cursed that his emotional instability did not allow him to understand the true purpose of God’s will. It was only after Pentecost that the Holy Spirit was able to equip him for the mission he was being prepared for.
- I must be careful to always be discerning of God’s word. I can sometimes be excited and become overzealous when a tempered response is required. Other times I become unsure, timid or fearful when a call to action is warranted. We are blessed that we have a Spirit-led pastoral system to guide us in discerning God’s call for us as individuals and as a community.
A. He mistook himself for the man he desired to be.
Desire is good. Desire to be good is just the first step. However, this tempts us to believe too much in ourselves. And this causes us to rely on our own abilities and capabilities.
When his happens, we forget about the Lord, (who makes all things happen) and then we eventually fail. We cant win by ourselves 100% of the time.
We need the Lord's grace and not just our own skills and desire, for us to have a solid and stable rock to stand on.
B. It is woefully possible that our love for the Lord is little more than sentimental attachment.
Actions driven by feelings or emotions are superficial and not deeply rooted and therefore are not stable.
I may feel that we are doing our best to Love the Lord, and worse sometimes to believe that we are also entitled to more love from him. This may lead me to rely on false or unreal standing ground. That I am good already since Im doing the best for the Lord.
I really need to change the way I decide and act. NOT thru emotions, but by the Lord's grace.
C. It is a horrible thing to tell a lie, but it is pitiful thing to believe a lie.
It is definitely not the Lord's work to be lying. Moreso, to believe a lie is worse because it is not founded on truth.
Quote from James Labayo on February 10, 2024, 10:29 am“It is a horrible thing to tell a lie; but it is a pitiful thing to believe a lie.”
A lie is always a lie no matter what color it is. A man who lies for a living or for his personal gain usually use it without believing his lies. If he does believe in it, he would do it with or without the equivalent reward or “kahit walang kapalit, maniniwala ako”. That is the reason why it is a pitiful thing because it could cost him his livelihood, his being and his life.
My personal take on this is continuous discernment on God’s words and direction. When I hear the Lord during my prayer time and daily life situations, I need to be sure that it is from the Lord and not me. Aside from my own interpretation, I should also seek a co-discerner especially in life changing circumstances.
“The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
The Lord is the source of one’s ability. We may have all the desires in the world but if we do not involve the Lord then it will not last. To follow the Lord I need to rely on Him and not on my own understanding and abilities. Another insight is that desire for me is mostly emotions-based. It might lead me to betray God by desiring myself more (without me knowing it) and less of God.
“It is possible for such people to receive divine revelation, but it is also possible for them to put hindrances in the way of the divine purpose.”
People are created by God and given free will by Him. We can choose not to follow his divine purpose through inaction, procrastination and performing the opposite towards another direction.
One factor that may lead me to this is FEAR of the divine revelation. If it is about pulling me out of my comfort zone or it would negatively affect my family for a long time, then it is time to put my guards up and think of so many reasons just to avoid His purpose. In these situations, FAITH and OBEDIENCE must come in. I need to be always ready to listen and follow Him.
Hi Bro James, great to know how rooted are you in allowing God and the Holy Spirit to work in your life in whatever circumstances, you are in. I can say that the FEAR that you are feeling must be a HOLY FEAR. I agree that FAITH and OBEDIENCE are the right things to do. More prayers for you bro as you continue the journey of seeking him more.
Quote from Gary Cabalde on February 15, 2024, 7:14 pmb. “It is woefully possible that our fancied love for the Lord is little more than sentimental attachment.” - I hope that this won't apply to me but only God knows. I hope that what i have with God is not just a "sentimental attachment" but a pure desire to be with Him eternally. I always go back to where i started in following the Lord; how miserable my life was until the day that the Lord begun to put order in my life....just by remembering that, my heart would leap for gratitude towards Him...Papaano ko makakalimutan ang kabutihan ng Diyos sa aking buhay? Sana sa grasya ng Diyos, i will be able to remain in Him as He remains in me until the day He will call me back.
d. “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.” In one of my prayer times, i sensed that my desire to follow God is lacking because of my "inconsistent" behavior towards Him...mabait minsan pero mas madalas makalimot na maging mabuti. I just realized that my desire won't be enough to measure my ability to remain consistent with God....ang hirap talaga maging Kristiyano. Salamat sa Diyos at napakabuti Nya sa atin....malayo pa talaga.
e. “It is possible for such people to receive divine revelation, but it is also possible for them to put hindrances in the way of the divine purpose.” - Oh Lord, have mercy on my soul. By Your Love, Mercy and Grace that i can only be saved. If only i can make Him decide for myself so that i won't put hindrance for His divine purpose. Kaawaan nawa ako ng Diyos.
I can be or i am maybe an example of this sentence....i may hear God's word but my whole being is a big hindrance for His divine purpose, through my service to others, the way i treat my neighbors, the way i treat myself and the way i treat God....am i doing all of it with the right purpose, which is to love?
Hi Bro Gary C, salamat sa reflections mo. Tunay na talgang mahirap kalimutan ang kabutihan na nagawa ng Diyos sa ating buhay. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit hindi tayo napapagod sumunod at magsilbi sa kaniya. Ang aking Dalangin sa iyo ay nawa's matugunan pa ng Diyos ang nag-aalab mong kagusutuhang mahalin siya ng buong buhay mo. Ipagdarasal kita kapatid, pagpalain ka ng Diyos 🙏🏻
Quote from Noel Lugue on February 17, 2024, 9:22 amb. “It is woefully possible that our fancied love for the Lord is little more than sentimental attachment.”
Mr Nee was saying that our emotional reactions in loving God may not be pure or deep as we thought it to be. Its possible as we utterly express our love for he Lord, we think
we are the kind of people we are suppose to be.
Reaction :
This does not apply to me. I am on the other side of the pendulum, calculating and always humbling myself before the Lord. I feel, Im always afraid to commit mistakes. Did i do the right thing or not?. In my prayers , the Lord wants me to let go of too much calculation and be more courageous and confident in Him.
c. “It is a horrible thing to tell a lie; but it is a pitiful thing to believe a lie.”
Nee was saying that Peter in the outburst of His emotions believe in what he declared. He did not lie. But his emotions make him believe in a lie.
A prayer that the Lord taught me : "Lord I raise up my mind and my heart to you."
This prayer always prepare me to go beyond human thinking . Peter was concern about His Master going to Jerusalem. His emotions are so high because he was just honored by Jesus, and being impulsive to care for His Teacher, he uttered the wrong words. I know that putting our mind and heart to where Jesus wants to converse with us is easier said than done . But we just need to persevere to go beyond our emotions and trust in His Spirit.
e. “It is possible for such people to receive divine revelation, but it is also possible for them to put hindrances in the way of the divine purpose.”
This statement is self explanatory. Like Peter , I can encounter and experience divine revelation. But I can also be a hindrance to Gods purpose. One example I can think is because I sought the Lord in Ligaya ng Panginoon commitment and service, I began to have more wisdom and knowledge in leading , in doing service and ministry. Through the years , I experience the Lord speaking to me our to our pastoral team. HOWEVER, there was a period in my life where I became legalistic.
I know better. I am more committed than that brother. Matagal na ko sa ligaya.
You know the story, this will manifest in the way I treat people and brothers and sisters. Instead of Love or looking with compassion, I had a tendency for example to look at others failure in their commitments. Hindi naman masama ang mag correct. BUT COMPASSION has to come first. Praise God for rescuing me to that kind of Pharisaic life.
Hi Bro Noel, I have known you Lingkod Days pa and saw your passion in loving and serving the Lord. Your character as a humble person manifests in how you approach your relationship with God and the brothers and sisters around you. Continue to be compassionate in everything that you do. How I wish I could be as humble and compassionate as you. Prayers for you bro.
Quote from Alan Santos on February 12, 2024, 5:56 pm1 “He mistook himself for the man he desired to be.”
* Peter genuinely loved the Lord but at times he was over confident, allowing his desires and feelings to take over – like many of us who follow the Lord, there are times when our over confidence takes over and we forget to first come to the Lord and seek his guidance and truly listen to Him.
2 “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
* We all desire to follow the Lord but our desire requires action too. Let our desire for the Lord show through the service that we are asked/tasked to do. That through this service, we are able to truly declare our love for the Lord and our brothers and sisters.
3 “It is possible for such people to receive divine revelation, but it is also possible for them to put hindrances in the way of the divine purpose.”
* Quoting Neeman – “They are apt to speak and to act swiftly under the urge of a sudden impulse, but the impulse may not be a divine impulse. Many problems in the Lord’s work arise because of this radical defect in the lives of His servants; and because the trouble is radical, it calls for a radical correction.” I am not exempt from this, I have acted more often from my own opinion rather than stop and pause and ask what would Jesus do in the particular circumstance.
Thank you for your reflections, Kuya Alan. I'm reminded that the main roadblocks to being God's servant is my ego and my emotional responses to circumstances in life.
Let us both put God in the forefront of all our decisions and I think that we can minimize our humanly pride and expand our humility.
Quote from Henry Salim on February 15, 2024, 11:48 pmHe mistook himself for the man he desired to be
Who we actually are and who we think we are are not always the same. A self aware person knows exactly who he really is. In most cases, we either think too highly or too less of ourselves.
In my case, the bias is that I always think of myself as less than who I want to be. In the context of us being servants, I have the desire to serve and be of use to the Lord but I have this feeling of not being good enough. This actually hinders me from doing what I think the Lord wants me to do.
I think the reason why it is a challenge to be self aware is because the mirror I use is the world. I know the world will do everything to keep me in the world, to confuse me, to keep me away from Him. I can do a better job of knowing myself if I ask God who I really am. He has no agenda to deceive me either way. I need to know Him more, focus on Him more and He will show me who I really am.
“It is woefully possible that our fancied love for the Lord is little more than sentimental attachment.”
You know how it is when you are in the middle of worship in one of our gatherings. Worship leader is so eloquent in his praising, a particular song that strikes a chord in you is being sung, the volume, the lights, everything is just right. You cant help but shout out how much you love Him. And yet when you hear Him during your prayer time, you donot do what He asks you to do.
This statement reminds me to be consistent. My love for the Lord should not be based any particular circumstance or condition or else this so called love is just a sentimental attachment. I know circumstances and conditions change. I should know better than to anchor my so called feelings for God on these things. I should not love God only when the right conditions present themselves. I should pray for the grace to love Him irregardless of the circumstance or the situation.
In a sense, if I would like my love for Him to be real and grow, I should abandon myself more to His will. To be comfortable in uncomfortable situations knowing that He is the one who placed me there, that He is there with me and that He will see me through.
“The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
If I equate my ability to follow the Lord is equal to my desire to follow Him, I will be doing very little following. Desiring to follow the Lord is a very good place to start but relying on desire or will can only get us so far. I have learned that on my own I cannot accomplish anything but with the grace He provides there is nothing I cannot do. By desiring, I actually open the door to let His grace come into my life. It is His grace that allows me to follow Him.
Bro Henry, I share in your feeling of unworthiness. And that feeling also hinders me from being a better Christian. But I think the feeling of unworthiness is common among those who love God because we can never equate His generosity to us.
Through His great mercy and love, our desire to serve God increases. But like what you said, we should not anchor our service with feelings.
Let us pray for one another, bro. That God's grace will allow us to seek Him when times are good and when times are bad.
The desire to follow is what led us to love Him. May our faith and hope in Him sustain this love for the rest of our lives.
Quote from MarYo Galvez on February 10, 2024, 11:40 pm- “He mistook himself for the man he desired to be.”
With Peter’s all out confidence in his commitment and passion as a follower of Christ, it seemed to be an unbreakable calling for a person who uttered the words “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” But Wathcman Nee showed that Peter broke. Parang ako. Parang hindi rin ako. Parang ako refers to the moment I said yes to the Lord almost 20 years ago after years of relying on my own without any religion. Parang hindi ako because even if I believed in the Lord for the first time in my life, my confidence in falling back to the old ways was weak and untested.
- “It is woefully possible that our fancied love for the Lord is little more than sentimental attachment.”
Watchman Nee listed the significant times Peter experienced a seesaw of emotions from sublime heights of spiritual experience and drop to perilous depths. This can be true of us servants especially when we experience personal challenges that we will need to depend on others for prayers. Or when an unfamiliar service is entrusted to you and the familiar question of “why me” will not cut it. I am guilty of a shaky faith when given roles that I fear will disappoint the Lord. Minsan naghihiwalay ang tiwala ko kay Lord kapag may ipinagkatiwala sa aking hindi ako pamilyar o hindi ko gusto.
- “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
Watchman Nee warns us of the highs we experience in relating with the Lord and to be understanding of its use for our drive to serve Him. I have fairly guarded myself of “victorious moments” over the years when commended of leading a good event, prayer meeting, worship. Or being on point with advises to young brothers. Nakakalaki pa rin kasi ng ulo kahit isa ka ng Kristiyano.
Bro Yo, I appreciate how you were able to relate your reflections to your personal situation in a relatable and grounded way. You are also open with your struggles, which assures me that I am not alone in this. How you punctuate your reflections using Filipino also adds to the sincerity.
I was especially drawn to your reflection on handling compliments for service. I have also reflected on this and realized that I may become dismissive but not for vigilance or humility’s sake, but because of expecting much of myself in order to get the approval of God and others. I should learn to say thanks and give the glory to the Lord more when this happens.
Quote from Jordan Echague on February 9, 2024, 5:37 pmA. "He mistook himself for the man he desired to be."
Watchman Nee's observation of Peter's overconfidence is best described by this statement. This might be a common flaw for many Christian servants. Our emotions lead us to serving and our emotions sustain our service. And when the time comes that we encounter major roadblocks our way, we stumble and lose our desire to serve. And like Peter, we finally see that we are not the servants that we view ourselves to be.
C. “It is a horrible thing to tell a lie; but it is a pitiful thing to believe a lie.”
Related to Statement A, our emotions toward servanthood can be what propels us to serve others. And I think Watchman Nee warns us of the dangers of letting our emotions lead the way. After reading this chapter, I'm more affirmed that consistent dialogue with the Lord, intense discernment, and sensitivity to the proddings of the Holy Spirit, are ways that can allow us to be founded in God's grace and not in what we currently feel.
D. “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
I relate this statement to "getting married". A happy marriage isn't reliant on our personal desire for our partner. But a good stable marriage is founded on commitment and communication. Servanthood, for me, also relies on our personal prayer time with God and with unshakable faith.
in reading your relflection Jordan, I am reminded of the song the God of Silence. The song is discussion between a sojourner like us talking to our Lord. In it's lyrics, it contains a response from the Lord, as follows: "The self you yearn to be, but fear to know... All these I give you, if you remain in Me".
I am reminded that despite our (Peter's) imperfection, He purifies us, allowing us to better ourselves, as long as we remain in Him. Remaining in Him is not limited to just being (sitting) passively in Him, as James also writes Faith without good works is dead. Remaining in Him being grounded, attuned to the Word while living it out in our daily life. Looking forward to continue journeying with you bro!
As the song continues... The God of silence beckons me to journey to my heart, where He awaits me.
Quote from Alex Filamor on February 12, 2024, 9:07 pma. “He mistook himself for the man he desired to be.”
- Peter knows his capability as a human but he is caught off guard and unleashes the true character in him. This is probably due to pressure and panic. Oftentimes I encounter such a situation, that I tend to forget that first and foremost I am a servant of the Lord.
b. “It is woefully possible that our fancied love for the Lord is little more than sentimental attachment.”
- The emotions of Peter at this moment are very high and his love for Jesus is more than that he can imagine. What he believed at that moment was non-negotiable. I have encountered highness in spirit and love for God that no one can break what I believed in that particular situation.
e. “It is possible for such people to receive divine revelation, but it is also possible for them to put hindrances in the way of the divine purpose"
- This is a classic scene of humanity and divinity. I do believe in the approach of seeking God first and acting on your human instinct. I do not over-spiritualize, but I do seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in all that I do.
bro! I thank you for your reflections... I am grateful; that as we started our journey in community almost the same time, have walked different paths, different districts; you are still continuing the journey.
Though it is not stated in the Gospels, Peter continued his journey most likely because of the company he kept. When Jesus died, he was surrounded by his fellow brothers and they uplifted one another in their example and faithfulness. Keep on, keeping on bro!
Quote from Dennis Sulit on February 19, 2024, 12:26 am“He mistook himself for the man he desired to be.”
- Peter had an intense desire to follow the Lord except that he was doomed to fail because of his flawed human nature - erratic, emotional, unstable and ever changing with the times.
- I often find myself in the same situation wherein I truly desire to live my life for the Lord especially when in prayer during mass, a gathering or a retreat. But the moment I step out of the church or prayer meeting and go out to the real world, I easily transform back to my old self and forget my promises to the Lord. How I wish I could always stay in the confines of the church or community where I’m constantly reminded of God’s presence and his grace.
“The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
- Oftentimes our desires are ruled by our emotions that are ever changing. If we rely more on ourselves and less on the Lord, it is like building a house on sandy ground that is easily washed away during floods.
- In the few short years that I have been following the Lord, I realize that it is all about grace. There is totally nothing that I have contributed to the blessings received or the good works rendered except for giving my “yes” to the Lord. I am but a partaker of his grace and the Lord does the rest.
“It is possible for such people to receive divine revelation, but it is also possible for them to put hindrances in the way of the divine purpose.”
- Peter was blessed to have received divine revelation but cursed that his emotional instability did not allow him to understand the true purpose of God’s will. It was only after Pentecost that the Holy Spirit was able to equip him for the mission he was being prepared for.
- I must be careful to always be discerning of God’s word. I can sometimes be excited and become overzealous when a tempered response is required. Other times I become unsure, timid or fearful when a call to action is warranted. We are blessed that we have a Spirit-led pastoral system to guide us in discerning God’s call for us as individuals and as a community.
Bro Doc Dennis, thank you for verbalizing a number of thoughts that I also struggle with, especially on your point regarding how differently we perceive our decision to follow the Lord within a prayer meeting vs the “real world”. I am now thinking that I may have it easier than most in my work environment. Being in a development financial institution, my workplace also values integrity and respect, which encourages proper speech and doing the “right” thing. I have heard other brothers and sisters work in environments that may be more challenging to living out their Christian values. However, I should be careful that this would not lead to “secularization” of my values because of work. The reason that I should be doing the right thing is because of the Lord, not just our corporate values.
Also, allow me to echo the appreciation of so many brothers and sisters who have professed how in doing your “good work” for them, they have experienced much more than good medical care, but the Lord Himself. =)
Quote from Henry Salim on February 15, 2024, 11:48 pmHe mistook himself for the man he desired to be
Who we actually are and who we think we are are not always the same. A self aware person knows exactly who he really is. In most cases, we either think too highly or too less of ourselves.
In my case, the bias is that I always think of myself as less than who I want to be. In the context of us being servants, I have the desire to serve and be of use to the Lord but I have this feeling of not being good enough. This actually hinders me from doing what I think the Lord wants me to do.
I think the reason why it is a challenge to be self aware is because the mirror I use is the world. I know the world will do everything to keep me in the world, to confuse me, to keep me away from Him. I can do a better job of knowing myself if I ask God who I really am. He has no agenda to deceive me either way. I need to know Him more, focus on Him more and He will show me who I really am.
“It is woefully possible that our fancied love for the Lord is little more than sentimental attachment.”
You know how it is when you are in the middle of worship in one of our gatherings. Worship leader is so eloquent in his praising, a particular song that strikes a chord in you is being sung, the volume, the lights, everything is just right. You cant help but shout out how much you love Him. And yet when you hear Him during your prayer time, you donot do what He asks you to do.
This statement reminds me to be consistent. My love for the Lord should not be based any particular circumstance or condition or else this so called love is just a sentimental attachment. I know circumstances and conditions change. I should know better than to anchor my so called feelings for God on these things. I should not love God only when the right conditions present themselves. I should pray for the grace to love Him irregardless of the circumstance or the situation.
In a sense, if I would like my love for Him to be real and grow, I should abandon myself more to His will. To be comfortable in uncomfortable situations knowing that He is the one who placed me there, that He is there with me and that He will see me through.
“The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
If I equate my ability to follow the Lord is equal to my desire to follow Him, I will be doing very little following. Desiring to follow the Lord is a very good place to start but relying on desire or will can only get us so far. I have learned that on my own I cannot accomplish anything but with the grace He provides there is nothing I cannot do. By desiring, I actually open the door to let His grace come into my life. It is His grace that allows me to follow Him.
Salamat bro, in your sharing! Allow me to share this statement with you... It is easy to be kind to others BUT it is challenging to be kind to oneself! As you have opened yourself to His grace, am sure you have grown and are not the same exact person years ago!
Marami pa tayong kakainin at kailangang matutunan bro! Let's do this together, lahat tayo may dinadala... buti na lang sa atin dito, marami tayong may dinadala. Let's continue this path of service with one another bro!
Quote from Jorel Mateo on February 19, 2024, 8:23 amA. He mistook himself for the man he desired to be.
Desire is good. Desire to be good is just the first step. However, this tempts us to believe too much in ourselves. And this causes us to rely on our own abilities and capabilities.
When his happens, we forget about the Lord, (who makes all things happen) and then we eventually fail. We cant win by ourselves 100% of the time.
We need the Lord's grace and not just our own skills and desire, for us to have a solid and stable rock to stand on.
B. It is woefully possible that our love for the Lord is little more than sentimental attachment.
Actions driven by feelings or emotions are superficial and not deeply rooted and therefore are not stable.
I may feel that we are doing our best to Love the Lord, and worse sometimes to believe that we are also entitled to more love from him. This may lead me to rely on false or unreal standing ground. That I am good already since Im doing the best for the Lord.
I really need to change the way I decide and act. NOT thru emotions, but by the Lord's grace.
C. It is a horrible thing to tell a lie, but it is pitiful thing to believe a lie.
It is definitely not the Lord's work to be lying. Moreso, to believe a lie is worse because it is not founded on truth.
Bro Jorel, your reflections are direct and matter-of-fact, with an unfiltered view on your challenges and what you need to improve on. Thanks for driving home the point on the need for the Lord’s grace as it is also something I need to be reminded always.
Quote from Johnny Yu on February 18, 2024, 8:56 pmHe mistook himself for the man he desired to be. - I can relate to this statement that sometimes we want to believe that we are capable of being "someone" we probably idolize or look up to; and eventually, we come into a reality that we are far from such "person". Akala mo gwapo at matalino ka, yun pala, cute ka lang. ha ha.
It is woefully possible that our fancied love for the Lord is little more than sentimental attachment. - Yes, it is very possible especially when things are good and well. Whenever we come out of Sunday mass, or after a retreat, the emotional connection with our Lord is so high that we feel that we are standing on unshakeable ground. But in an instance, we can easily skip our prayer time, due to pressing matters at hand.
The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him. - Yes, this is definitely true. We all desire to be good person, and following Him is what we were taught to do. However, whenever an opportunity exist to do what is good, there is always the tendency of giving excuses, out of selfishness or just not wanting to get out of comfort zone.
Agree Bro Johnny on many points.
We can catch ourselves off guard many times of pretending to be faithful on the Lord and yet we go to mass unprepared mentally and physically, we skip Lord's Day because we are in a public place and we forget to honor brothers and sisters on their service kasi gusto naman nila yan.
We find excuses when called to serve because "hindi ako ito"
Most especially, yung qoute mo na, akala natin guwapo tayo, yun pala cute lang.
Salamat sa pagbabahagi!
Quote from James Labayo on February 10, 2024, 10:29 am“It is a horrible thing to tell a lie; but it is a pitiful thing to believe a lie.”
A lie is always a lie no matter what color it is. A man who lies for a living or for his personal gain usually use it without believing his lies. If he does believe in it, he would do it with or without the equivalent reward or “kahit walang kapalit, maniniwala ako”. That is the reason why it is a pitiful thing because it could cost him his livelihood, his being and his life.
My personal take on this is continuous discernment on God’s words and direction. When I hear the Lord during my prayer time and daily life situations, I need to be sure that it is from the Lord and not me. Aside from my own interpretation, I should also seek a co-discerner especially in life changing circumstances.
“The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
The Lord is the source of one’s ability. We may have all the desires in the world but if we do not involve the Lord then it will not last. To follow the Lord I need to rely on Him and not on my own understanding and abilities. Another insight is that desire for me is mostly emotions-based. It might lead me to betray God by desiring myself more (without me knowing it) and less of God.
“It is possible for such people to receive divine revelation, but it is also possible for them to put hindrances in the way of the divine purpose.”
People are created by God and given free will by Him. We can choose not to follow his divine purpose through inaction, procrastination and performing the opposite towards another direction.
One factor that may lead me to this is FEAR of the divine revelation. If it is about pulling me out of my comfort zone or it would negatively affect my family for a long time, then it is time to put my guards up and think of so many reasons just to avoid His purpose. In these situations, FAITH and OBEDIENCE must come in. I need to be always ready to listen and follow Him.
hi james,
thank you for sharing your thoughts. i agree with you. God is everything to us. He will tell us what is true. He will supply the grace so we can follow Him in spite of our own weakness. tulad ng iyong sinabi sa huli, ang kailangan natin ay manalig at sumunod.
God bless.
Quote from Alex Filamor on February 12, 2024, 9:07 pma. “He mistook himself for the man he desired to be.”
- Peter knows his capability as a human but he is caught off guard and unleashes the true character in him. This is probably due to pressure and panic. Oftentimes I encounter such a situation, that I tend to forget that first and foremost I am a servant of the Lord.
b. “It is woefully possible that our fancied love for the Lord is little more than sentimental attachment.”
- The emotions of Peter at this moment are very high and his love for Jesus is more than that he can imagine. What he believed at that moment was non-negotiable. I have encountered highness in spirit and love for God that no one can break what I believed in that particular situation.
e. “It is possible for such people to receive divine revelation, but it is also possible for them to put hindrances in the way of the divine purpose"
- This is a classic scene of humanity and divinity. I do believe in the approach of seeking God first and acting on your human instinct. I do not over-spiritualize, but I do seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in all that I do.
hi alex,
salamat for sharing your reflections. you have made me realize that we need to balance prayer and action. although we are called to act, we also have to look at our God to guide our actions.
God bless.
Quote from Alan Santos on February 12, 2024, 5:56 pm1 “He mistook himself for the man he desired to be.”
* Peter genuinely loved the Lord but at times he was over confident, allowing his desires and feelings to take over – like many of us who follow the Lord, there are times when our over confidence takes over and we forget to first come to the Lord and seek his guidance and truly listen to Him.
2 “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
* We all desire to follow the Lord but our desire requires action too. Let our desire for the Lord show through the service that we are asked/tasked to do. That through this service, we are able to truly declare our love for the Lord and our brothers and sisters.
3 “It is possible for such people to receive divine revelation, but it is also possible for them to put hindrances in the way of the divine purpose.”
* Quoting Neeman – “They are apt to speak and to act swiftly under the urge of a sudden impulse, but the impulse may not be a divine impulse. Many problems in the Lord’s work arise because of this radical defect in the lives of His servants; and because the trouble is radical, it calls for a radical correction.” I am not exempt from this, I have acted more often from my own opinion rather than stop and pause and ask what would Jesus do in the particular circumstance.
Brother, you are truly Alan "the Action Man" Santos. We all know you as the Sector Servant who gets the job done, grace under pressure, in control and faithful. That is a gift. That is your strength. But sometimes our strengths are our biggest weakness. I pray that you may continue to be reminded to tap on the Lord's grace whenever you feel over confident and resolved to act on your own. 1 Cor 10:31 "...do everything for the glory of God".
Quote from Jordan Echague on February 9, 2024, 5:37 pmA. "He mistook himself for the man he desired to be."
Watchman Nee's observation of Peter's overconfidence is best described by this statement. This might be a common flaw for many Christian servants. Our emotions lead us to serving and our emotions sustain our service. And when the time comes that we encounter major roadblocks our way, we stumble and lose our desire to serve. And like Peter, we finally see that we are not the servants that we view ourselves to be.
C. “It is a horrible thing to tell a lie; but it is a pitiful thing to believe a lie.”
Related to Statement A, our emotions toward servanthood can be what propels us to serve others. And I think Watchman Nee warns us of the dangers of letting our emotions lead the way. After reading this chapter, I'm more affirmed that consistent dialogue with the Lord, intense discernment, and sensitivity to the proddings of the Holy Spirit, are ways that can allow us to be founded in God's grace and not in what we currently feel.
D. “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
I relate this statement to "getting married". A happy marriage isn't reliant on our personal desire for our partner. But a good stable marriage is founded on commitment and communication. Servanthood, for me, also relies on our personal prayer time with God and with unshakable faith.
Hi Jordan,
Here are my take away from your reflections:
(a) Overconfidence (pride, self reliance) can give us a false vision or interpretation of the person/servant that God wants us to be.
(b) Emotion supports our desire to serve but emotions alone will not endure trials and testing.
(c) We need God’s grace to accomplish His work such as serving others. For this we consistently pray, intensely discern and submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
(d) Commitment (unshakeable faith) and communication (personal prayer time) are foundations of servanthood.
Quote from Sherwin Lao on February 18, 2024, 11:39 pm
- “It is a horrible thing to tell a lie; but it is a pitiful thing to believe a lie.”
We all know that a lie is a lie. Whether or not it is meant to cause good (than harm), it is still a lie. But why do people lie? There may be tons of reasons to cover multiple situations. But one thing is for sure, when we lie, we hold back the truth. Therefore, if God is Truth, Whenever we lie, we hold back God. We conceal God’s message of Truth. We fear that , the truth will bring out emotions. And these emotions may lead to unfavorable setbacks to relationships. But we are to be reminded in 1 Thessalonians 2:4, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. The devil is the prince of lies, he will tirelessly lure us into his trap. If we do not speak the truth, then the Lord our God is not with us. So let us always be mindful when we speak our words. It should contain the Truth , and nothing but the truth.
2. “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
My desire to follow the Lord has always been consistent. But I confess, my actions and ability to do so speak otherwise. I sometimes caught myself in a situation where I’m doing the opposite of what is expected for me to be done. But thank God, he has always been merciful and loving. Truly it is not easy to be a disciple of Jesus. But it is also true that it is not impossible. With divine intervention and grace, we are being changed every single time. We just need to be open to really experience and openly accept God’s pruning. He will work and mold you like a Potter with his clay. I’m still a work in progress, and I continue to remind myself to be humble and welcome (and trust) God’s workings in my life.
3. “It is possible for such people to receive divine revelation, but it is also possible for them to put hindrances in the way of the divine purpose.”
Have you ever experienced a divine revelation before? Thankfully, I had. It was both a blessing and a privilege to hear God speak to you either through a prophesy or through an encounter. But admittedly, it was also a creepy experience. As a young boy and later on a young man, I frequently experienced premonitions or Déjà Vu. Where things that happened (or happening) seem to be the exact result of a previous visions. I marvel at these situations but at the same time wonder why am I experiencing this. More often than not, I just ignore them and move on with my life. A good question to ask ourselves, are we allowing the Lord to use us and our God-given gifts to bless His people? If not, then why? Are we holding back because we are afraid of the possible implications? Or probably, we are too afraid to be used, because of the perceptions and what others may think of us. We should not hold back, allow the Spirit of God to radiate and flow from us. That it may be a source of blessing and a channel of grace to others.
God be with you, Sherwin. Indeed, we have a merciful and loving God. Just like you I often experience Holy Fear (thanks Alex for the term) and sometimes I fail to respond on it and move on with my "comfortable" life. Let us support one another as brother leaders and be open to the direction that God wants us to take.