Reflection # 1
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.
Noel,
I admire your Prayer of Surrender. Thank you for sharing it to us.
I agree that being in community for a long time may affect our self perception of perfection and having the heart of compassion will bring us back to God's ways.
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.
Salamat Yo. Your reflection "Parang ako" resonates with me. The highs and lows Peter experienced over 2,000 years ago is hauntingly similar to what we are all going through in our own walk with the Lord especially in our service. Nakakapangilabot. It just a reminder for me to be more deeply rooted in the Lord.
I praise God that I have brothers like you to lean on when I stumble and who always point me to the Lord. Just sharing your reflections uplifts me. Looking forward to be blessed in our service for the Lord kahit minsan di ko maintindihan o kaya feeling ko di ako handa sa yung pinapagawa satin. GB!
Quote from Dom Hormigos on February 17, 2024, 11:34 am1. “It is woefully possible that our fancied love for the Lord is little more than sentimental attachment.”
It is normal to many Christians who are new to the faith or when difficult circumstances arise. I experienced this personally in many situations in life. The most recent was when we experienced two miscarriages and even to the point of thinking that we won't be able to conceive. It lead me to question God's being omnipotent. I was easily driven by my emotion and chose not to trust in the Lord as being all-powerful yet also all-knowing. After the second miscarriage, we decided to take a time off and it was this time that the Lord revealed to us that it is all part of a big plan. At that point we accepted to trust in the Lord whether we will be able to conceive or not. If we won't, then it was not God's plan for us. If we will, then we wholeheartedly welcome it.
2. “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
The desire to follow Him is indeed not the measure but is just an expression of acceptance. The true measure relies on how firm and how deep we are to the commitment that entails in following the Lord. This is not easy, as the way of the Lord leads us to obstacles that challenges our commitment to stay in the path. Being ready to be challenged is a skill that develops through time and experience. I think there is no easy path. It is by God's grace alone that we are able to prepare ourself and fully trust in the Lord and stay in the course.
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.”In my personal experience, it seems like it becomes a natural response for me to pause when the circumstance ahead seems daunting. Forgetting that it is the Lord himself who revealed His plan for me. In this area, I believe I am still growing. There's so much for me to learn and mature in this area.
Thank you Dom for being open with your personal struggles. I had a similar "Does God Care?" experience when my semi-estranged older brother, whom I was half heartedly trying to evangelize, became seriously ill and was comatose in the ICU.
Nothing that I could do as a doctor, lay minister, pastoral leader or even a member of the healing ministry could seem to bring my kuya back to fulfil a promise to bring him to the Lord. It was only when I completely surrendered my kuya to the Lord was there space for God to reveal His perfect plan.
He miraculously awoke from his coma but more surprisingly my kuya emphatically asked me to pray over him. Siya pa yung galit! From that time on I prayed with my kuya every single day until he passed away 6 weeks later in the hospital. Although it was not the desired outcome we had planned I rejoiced that I was able to be reconciled with my brother and more importantly that we were both reconciled with the Lord.
We may not always understand God's ways and sometimes our faith in Him may falter. Praise God the He is ever faithful and that all His ways is perfect and just.
Our shared experiences reminds me of how blessed we are that God always keeps His promise even though we may fail to keep our end of the deal. Kung saan tayo bumagsak, doon din tayo ibabangon. Our mission does not rely on us but is all about grace. I am truly blessed to be journeying with a brother like you who is open to receiving God's grace at all times. GB!
Quote from Brien Myles Villamiel on February 10, 2024, 8:52 amc. “It is a horrible thing to tell a lie; but it is a pitiful thing to believe a lie.”
It is pitiful if you put your trust or belief in a lie, just like the man who built his house on sand... acting or believing in a lie means having a poor foundation. How sad (pitiful) it will be once you realize the thing/ thought you based your life upon turns out to be a lie.
d. “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
Faith alone (desire) is lacking to measure our ability to follow the Lord. Anything measured needs a tangible, observable moment. We need to act on our desire in order for it to be measurable. Faith needs to be accompanied by good works in order to be measured.
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.”
In order to receive, we must be open, be grateful and allow ourselves to receive it. Have you tried getting sand or anything for that matter with closed fists? Us being us, there are times we decide not to take the path set before us, whether willingly or unwillingly.
Thank you Brien for your reflections. I totally agree that as servant leaders, faith in the Lord should translate to being in the Lord's service. In that aspect I honor you for being the visible face of God both in the forefront and in the backstage. Much of what you do for the Lord is not known to most of us but you remain a faithful servant. May our Father who sees what is secret reward you abundantly.GB!
Quote from Gani Custodio on February 12, 2024, 9:00 pma. “He mistook himself for the man he desired to be.”
There were different instances, like when Neeman wrote: " sudden swing of the pendulum"; the repeated declarations that he would follow the Lord at all cost
c. “It is a horrible thing to tell a lie, but it is a pitiful thing to believe a lie.”
I have gone through this experience, as we already know that lying is a sin but continued to live a life bargaining for it that is is okay since nobody knows .... the Lord knows!d. “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
This will be tiresome, especially when it is just for a show or acceptance. I do believe that the Lord, like how Peter experienced it, will cleanse the desire of an individual.
Hi Gani,
Here are my take away from your reflections:
(a) We can have the mistaken interpretation of being followers of Jesus if we base our actions on emotions as described by the “sudden swing of pendulum.”
(b) We have the tendency to live double standard lives: what others know about us and what the Lord knows about us.
(c) Following the Lord can be tiresome if motivated by show or acceptance from other people.
(d) The Lord, by His grace and mercy, will purify our desire to love and serve Him.
Quote from Joseph Henson on February 18, 2024, 2:47 ama. “He mistook himself for the man he desired to be.”
Watchman Nee may have implied that Peter “projected” his idealized character unto himself (without malice) instead of a more realistic assessment of his current state. This resonates with me very much as early in my discipleship journey, I thought that I would not fall for sexual temptations (having not fallen before my conversion). However, just over a year after, I fell and it took a number of years to repent and kick the habit. More than a decade of sobriety after, I became complacent that this was already a part of my past, only for me to fall again. Thus, I have to be cautious, but this should not be an excuse not to do what He wants me to do. I have to be continuously vigilant while also focusing on and trusting in the Lord to protect and give me strength each day.
b. “It is woefully possible that our fancied love for the Lord is little more than sentimental attachment.”
The author invites us to assess whether our love for the Lord is based solely on pleasant feelings or sentimental thoughts we tell ourselves (or even publicly profess). Granted that this could be a starting point (and on occasion, may also give us the drive to continue on or push further), our love should not remain or be anchored on an emotional or conceptual level but lived out in our decisions and actions. This made me appreciate our teachings on Emotions in the Christian Life, where we should master our emotions instead of the other way around. More importantly, community life invites us to go beyond prayer meeting emotional “highs” by supporting discipleship in all areas of our life – family, work, etc., where love of the Lord then becomes more tangible.
d. “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
The author frames our “ability” to follow the Lord as much more than our “desire”. Again, I believe that having the desire is helpful but not the complete picture. Our ability is shaped by many other factors, such as sound teaching, formative experiences, and of course, grace from the Lord. Thus, in order to increase our ability to follow Him, we should be open to being formed by Him in a multi-faceted way (and our desire may also increase as a result).
Hi Joseph,
I admire your openness to share and not sugar coat your struggle.
Here are my take away from your reflections:
(a) We can mistake ourselves as truly following Jesus when we are filled with our self image and understanding of what it means to be His people.
(b) Failing to recognize our need of God’s grace can lead us into sin and miscontrue His call for us.
(c) Community life supports our response to love the Lord and our discipleship in all areas of our life. Our teaching on Emotions in the Christian Life empowers us to master our emotions.
(d) To increase our ability on following the Lord, we should be open to allow His grace to transform us.
Quote from Gary Bogarin on February 10, 2024, 4:59 pm
- “He mistook himself for the man he desired to be.”
- I think Watchman Nee is suggesting that Peter desires to become a certain type of person (someone who will not deny Jesus), but he mistakenly believes that he already is that type of person (without actually putting in the necessary effort). He was not yet the kind of man he thought he was. I'd like to believe that this not pertain to me. I know I am a work in progress, imperfect and still need a lot of pruning and growing to become the kind of man I desire to be.
- “It is a horrible thing to tell a lie; but it is a pitiful thing to believe a lie.”
- The statement suggests that while telling a lie is a morally unacceptable act, believing a lie is pitiful because it involves deception that and can possibly lead to harmful consequences. Basically emphasizing the importance of what is true and the the harmful effects of lies, whether by others or by oneself.
- “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
- I think Watchman Nee means that our willingness to follow the Lord isn't solely determined by our desire to do so. Instead, it implies that our actions and behavior are the true indicators of our ability to follow Him. In other words, it's not just about wanting to follow the Lord, but also about actually living according to His teachings and principles.
It is not enough that I desire to follow the Lord, I need to act accordingly.
Thanks Gary B.
I agree. It is not enough that we desire to follow, we should act accordingly. Even Peter, he desired to be a Person who will stand by Jesus all the way. However, when he was confronted and was subjected to Tests, he suddenly changed and began to deny Jesus.
I guess this is how we human beings are. Very weak when subjected to tests, temptations.
What’s good however is that we learn from this, we now know our weaknesses and limitations, and thus pray that we can make better decisions or actions next time we are confronted with such Tests and Temptations.
Know that we are with the Lord, and pray for God’s grace to help us.
Quote from Gary Mercado on February 12, 2024, 11:12 pmQuote from Gani Custodio on February 12, 2024, 9:00 pma. “He mistook himself for the man he desired to be.”
There were different instances, like when Neeman wrote: " sudden swing of the pendulum"; the repeated declarations that he would follow the Lord at all cost
c. “It is a horrible thing to tell a lie, but it is a pitiful thing to believe a lie.”
I have gone through this experience, as we already know that lying is a sin but continued to live a life bargaining for it that is is okay since nobody knows .... the Lord knows!d. “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
This will be tiresome, especially when it is just for a show or acceptance. I do believe that the Lord, like how Peter experienced it, will cleanse the desire of an individual.Unfortunately as you have pointed out, despite knowing lying is a sin, we succumb to it and worse sometimes justify these lies. There are different degrees of lying but lying just the same. Fortunately being in community has made me more conscious and sensitive of this fact and hopefully has reduced my tendency to fall to it. I agree that if we pursue the Lord just for show, it will be tiresome and not sustainable. And yes, I would like to believe that the Holy Spirit is gently cleansing us.
Thanks Gary M.
I too question my level of faith at times. I still have the fear and anxiety whenever I am confronted with problems and challenges. And I try to outdo and solve it myself. I forget and not normally call on our Lord for help.
I know he is with me, it’s just that I don’t actually and verbally Call on Him for help. You may or may not call it Pride.
However, it’s nice to remember that the Lord is with us, and that calling on Him should be priority.
I should not be happy and just stop at having the desire to call on Him. But actually should pray for help from our Lord.
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?
Thanks Gary C
With prayer, we should very much be receiving what we have asked for (if its according to His will). With human pride or too much belief on oneself, (which I realize is now my very weakness) we sometimes forget that it is through the Lord’s will and not our abilities/capabilities.
Quote from Gary Bogarin on February 10, 2024, 4:59 pm
- “He mistook himself for the man he desired to be.”
- I think Watchman Nee is suggesting that Peter desires to become a certain type of person (someone who will not deny Jesus), but he mistakenly believes that he already is that type of person (without actually putting in the necessary effort). He was not yet the kind of man he thought he was. I'd like to believe that this not pertain to me. I know I am a work in progress, imperfect and still need a lot of pruning and growing to become the kind of man I desire to be.
- “It is a horrible thing to tell a lie; but it is a pitiful thing to believe a lie.”
- The statement suggests that while telling a lie is a morally unacceptable act, believing a lie is pitiful because it involves deception that and can possibly lead to harmful consequences. Basically emphasizing the importance of what is true and the the harmful effects of lies, whether by others or by oneself.
- “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
- I think Watchman Nee means that our willingness to follow the Lord isn't solely determined by our desire to do so. Instead, it implies that our actions and behavior are the true indicators of our ability to follow Him. In other words, it's not just about wanting to follow the Lord, but also about actually living according to His teachings and principles.
It is not enough that I desire to follow the Lord, I need to act accordingly.
Thanks Gary B.
I agree. It is not enough that we desire to follow, we should act accordingly. Even Peter, he desired to be a Person who will stand by Jesus all the way. However, when he was confronted and was subjected to Tests, he suddenly changed and began to deny Jesus.
I guess this is how we human beings are. Very weak when subjected to tests, temptations.
What’s good however is that we learn from this, we now know our weaknesses and limitations, and thus pray that we can make better decisions or actions next time we are confronted with such Tests and Temptations.
Know that we are with the Lord, and pray for God’s grace to help us.
Quote from Gary Mercado on February 11, 2024, 1:11 pma. “He mistook himself for the man he desired to be.”
This statement I feel explains that Peter thought much bigger than he actually was. That his faith and love of Jesus was unshakable.
It is so difficult for me to read this topic bec I cannot, with absolutely certainty, compare myself with Peter’s faith, even at that early stage. Embarrassing as it is, despite being called a senior leader, I question myself about how strong my faith and love of the Lord is. I have experienced the grace of Lord in my life and seen his work with others, yet I still am not confident to be tested of my faith. In that manner, at this time, I do not see myself with greater faith than I actually have. I feel that as I gradually grow in faith, that gradual growth will hopefully also temper my thoughts of where I am in my faith.
b. “It is woefully possible that our fancied love for the Lord is little more than sentimental attachment.”
Similarly means that we may be fooled by our thoughts that our faith is so strong when in fact it is otherwise. Many times, by just imagining myself in situations that other people face and I ask myself what I would do in that situation, I’m made to realize how weak my faith is and how much I need to rely on His grace to increase my faith.
d. “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to fo
Our desire does not equal our action. My understanding is that we have to deliver with what we promise.
Unfortunately at times, I may not even try given my fear of not being able to deliver.
Thanks Gary M.
I too question my level of faith at times. I still have the fear and anxiety whenever I am confronted with problems and challenges. And I try to outdo and solve it myself. I forget and not normally call on our Lord for help.
I know he is with me, it’s just that I don’t actually and verbally Call on Him for help. You may or may not call it Pride.
However, it’s nice to remember that the Lord is with us, and that calling on Him should be priority.
I should not be happy and just stop at having the desire to call on Him. But actually should pray for help from our Lord.
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.
Hi bro, thanks for your insights. I totally agree with all your statements. We all need to guard ourselves from thinking that we alone can do it, that by our own will and strength we can follow the Lord and do good. As stated in Philippians2:13 "For it is God who is at work in you, both to desire and to work for His good pleasure". Let's all continue to seek for the Lord's guidance in our lives.
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.
Thanks for your sharing bro. I am blessed to know I am surrounded by men and women of faith who rely on God and try their best to follow God. I am blessed by your faith and actions and thank God for your service to our youth in community. Continue to be a source of light, do not hold back and be a blessing and channel of grace to others.
Quote from Gani Custodio on February 12, 2024, 9:00 pma. “He mistook himself for the man he desired to be.”
There were different instances, like when Neeman wrote: " sudden swing of the pendulum"; the repeated declarations that he would follow the Lord at all cost
c. “It is a horrible thing to tell a lie, but it is a pitiful thing to believe a lie.”
I have gone through this experience, as we already know that lying is a sin but continued to live a life bargaining for it that is is okay since nobody knows .... the Lord knows!d. “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
This will be tiresome, especially when it is just for a show or acceptance. I do believe that the Lord, like how Peter experienced it, will cleanse the desire of an individual.
Amen Kuya Gani na "tiresome to follow the Lord" just for show or acceptance. I suffer from that once in while. I call it the centerstage disease. The love and the joy of being at front and center serving the Lord but wanting appreciation, accolades more.
I continuously to guard against it to honor Him
Quote from Dom Hormigos on February 17, 2024, 11:34 am1. “It is woefully possible that our fancied love for the Lord is little more than sentimental attachment.”
It is normal to many Christians who are new to the faith or when difficult circumstances arise. I experienced this personally in many situations in life. The most recent was when we experienced two miscarriages and even to the point of thinking that we won't be able to conceive. It lead me to question God's being omnipotent. I was easily driven by my emotion and chose not to trust in the Lord as being all-powerful yet also all-knowing. After the second miscarriage, we decided to take a time off and it was this time that the Lord revealed to us that it is all part of a big plan. At that point we accepted to trust in the Lord whether we will be able to conceive or not. If we won't, then it was not God's plan for us. If we will, then we wholeheartedly welcome it.
2. “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
The desire to follow Him is indeed not the measure but is just an expression of acceptance. The true measure relies on how firm and how deep we are to the commitment that entails in following the Lord. This is not easy, as the way of the Lord leads us to obstacles that challenges our commitment to stay in the path. Being ready to be challenged is a skill that develops through time and experience. I think there is no easy path. It is by God's grace alone that we are able to prepare ourself and fully trust in the Lord and stay in the course.
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.”In my personal experience, it seems like it becomes a natural response for me to pause when the circumstance ahead seems daunting. Forgetting that it is the Lord himself who revealed His plan for me. In this area, I believe I am still growing. There's so much for me to learn and mature in this area.
Hi Bro. Dom,
(About # 1) When you have said yes to the Lord, it is really to hard say there is no turning back. Kay Kristo na ako habangbuhay. So reading you and your wife's experience for the first time must have really been an unending the punch in the gut. All the more, I am inspired by the way that you "accepted to trust in the Lord whether we will be able to conceive or not." What a satisfying moment to allow God's plan to be your plan. And all the more joyous moment to be blessed in your trust in Him. Grace filled moment na tunay.
(About # 2) I agree with your statement that "being ready to be challenged is a skill that develops through time and experience." You have to have the full trust in the Lord that He will prune you, encourage you, make you a better disciple in every obstacle and thankful in moments of victory.
(About # 3) I also revert to my tendencies of asserting my own direction instead of staying the course and trust on His plans. Parang driver lang na kabisado na ang daan at di na aasa pa sa mapa.
Quote from Gary Mercado on February 11, 2024, 1:11 pma. “He mistook himself for the man he desired to be.”
This statement I feel explains that Peter thought much bigger than he actually was. That his faith and love of Jesus was unshakable.
It is so difficult for me to read this topic bec I cannot, with absolutely certainty, compare myself with Peter’s faith, even at that early stage. Embarrassing as it is, despite being called a senior leader, I question myself about how strong my faith and love of the Lord is. I have experienced the grace of Lord in my life and seen his work with others, yet I still am not confident to be tested of my faith. In that manner, at this time, I do not see myself with greater faith than I actually have. I feel that as I gradually grow in faith, that gradual growth will hopefully also temper my thoughts of where I am in my faith.
b. “It is woefully possible that our fancied love for the Lord is little more than sentimental attachment.”
Similarly means that we may be fooled by our thoughts that our faith is so strong when in fact it is otherwise. Many times, by just imagining myself in situations that other people face and I ask myself what I would do in that situation, I’m made to realize how weak my faith is and how much I need to rely on His grace to increase my faith.
d. “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to fo
Our desire does not equal our action. My understanding is that we have to deliver with what we promise.
Unfortunately at times, I may not even try given my fear of not being able to deliver.
Thank you Gary for your reflections, like you, I too am still a "work in progress". We all fall into the trap of saying to oneself, I am not worthy but as you have aptly said, "I gradually grow in faith, that gradual growth will hopefully also temper my thoughts of where I am in my faith." Thank you once again Gary.
Quote from Erick Flores on February 18, 2024, 1:00 pma. “He mistook himself for the man he desired to be.”
Peter genuinely desires to love Jesus and follow Him unreservedly. But in the scenario of the last supper, he clearly does the opposite with his burst of emotion by failing to listen to Jesus and humble himself to obey the will of God.
Sometimes I find myself like Peter, a problem solver rather than a follower of Jesus, either emotionally distracted by circumstances, or failing to hear Jesus’ word because I am full of myself trying to save situations.
In times like these, I remind myself of the wise word from a brother, “Pray pa more!” Allow the grace of the Holy Spirit to increase in me and guide me to understand Jesus’ message.
d. “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
The desire to follow the Lord is anchored on our increasing knowledge of who God is and our belief on His love, mercy and promises. Our abilities to take action on this belief might vary on different circumstances but our desire to love and serve the Lord should constantly grow as God reveals Himself to us and accomplish His purpose.
God’s grace is sufficient. I am always awed remembering the time I was supposed to lose all my ability to work and to serve. But by God’s goodness and mercy, and the intercession of brothers and sisters, I survived and do not recall being hopeless. Perhaps, the Lord heard a brother’s prayer that I may be protected from any frustration or disapointment and have peace.
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.”
Peter’s devotion to Jesus is true, thus, the revelation of the Father through him. But being governed by his emotion allowed Satan’s lie for him to turn away from obedience to God’s will into believing the twisted truth that he is the one who can save Jesus.
Here I would like to focus on Jesus, the perfect revelation of the Father with His perfect obedience. He allowed His emotion to be expressed in humility: recognizing His Father’s word, submitting to God’s will and rebuking the lies of Satan. He is the way to the divine purpose. He is the Firm Foundation, the Rock from whom our characters, as living stones, should be transformed.
Thank you Erick for you words of wisdom. Yes in all things, let us continue to bring up everything in prayer, no matter how trivial it is. Seeking the Lord's guidance in all that we say and do, trusting in Him and by His grace, knowing all will be well.
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.
Thank you Jorel for your reflections.
Let us continue to trust in Lord, call upon His holy name. That through prayer and intercession and by His grace and mercy, we will not fall into trap of believing too much on oneself and allowing our own emotions and self confidence to take over.
Quote from Brien Myles Villamiel on February 10, 2024, 8:52 amc. “It is a horrible thing to tell a lie; but it is a pitiful thing to believe a lie.”
It is pitiful if you put your trust or belief in a lie, just like the man who built his house on sand... acting or believing in a lie means having a poor foundation. How sad (pitiful) it will be once you realize the thing/ thought you based your life upon turns out to be a lie.
d. “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
Faith alone (desire) is lacking to measure our ability to follow the Lord. Anything measured needs a tangible, observable moment. We need to act on our desire in order for it to be measurable. Faith needs to be accompanied by good works in order to be measured.
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.”
In order to receive, we must be open, be grateful and allow ourselves to receive it. Have you tried getting sand or anything for that matter with closed fists? Us being us, there are times we decide not to take the path set before us, whether willingly or unwillingly.
Thank you, Brien, for your reflection. And also for the responses you've shared with the brothers; those responses are not trivial, they're well thought out, and you share additional encouragement, even quoting fitting lyrics from nice songs. It shows great love for the brothers.
Just a comment on your reaction to statement "d", where you say "Anything measured needs a tangible, observable moment. We need to act on our desire in order for it to be measurable." I think you're overthinking this, especially by focusing on the word "measure". You've probably heard the expression: "The road to hell is paved with good intentions." That's what Watchman Nee says here.
In a book entitled Simon Peter, the author highlighted this bravado of Peter saying the lesson for all of us in combatting this bravado, is to humbly acknowledge that only by the power of the Holy Spirit are we able to do God's work. Sure, we can be gung-ho, and we can feel we're ready to commit. But let's remember what the Lord says in Zech 4:6 "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts."
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.
Hello Jordan. It seems like only yesterday when we were in a community event, and you were one of the panelists sharing your conversion story. At that time, you were already gung-ho about your faith. Too bad, I never got to learn how you eventually got into service and what you had to go through. But look, now, here you are, a Senior Leader. Hooowaaah!!! You stand as witness to the power of the Holy Spirit in you. That's why I like what you said about being sensitive to the "proddings of the Holy Spirit." Ain't that your life story, right?
Just a word of advice, my son, especially now that you're in an advanced stage of service. You've probably discovered your giftedness, and continue to discover how the Lord has been using you to encourage other people's faith. Never forget that this IS the Holy Spirit's work, and that whatever you're able to accomplish, you ought to point to God as the source of your strength. You probably know the verse: "It is no longer I but Christ who lives in me." (Gal 2:20) Sometimes when I give a preaching and quote this verse, I use this image (see attached). Let that be your image, Jordan. To God be the glory!
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