Quote from Noel Lugue on April 9, 2025, 5:26 pm

1. Identifying Personal Suffering -- Watchman Nee teaches that suffering is an expected part of the Christian worker’s life. In all the years that you have been asked to serve the Lord and community, what was the most severe kind of trial or suffering – if any -- that you encountered related or as a consequence of your service? 
   1. If so, how did you respond to this, and looking back, what are your realizations about this in terms of (i) what it says about God, and (ii) what it says about your mindset about suffering.  I believe that most leaders in my district knows that sometime in 2003 or 2004 , my  suffered financial difficulties . It was not a consequence of my service but rather my persistent in doing and trying different business like Networking or Insurance.  I was in Debt. Because I thought that if I had my own business, I will have more time to serve . In 2007, I finally went back to employment and things get better.     What was God saying to me back then , was His ways are not my ways.  In terms of my commitment , by God's grace we remained faithful to our commitment. Even taking the tricycle or taking bus to go home to Pandi Bulacan .  Kahit buntis si LAv, we see to it that we will not be absent to community  gatherings. Our strength comes from the word "CALLING". As long as God is calling us into this way of life , we will come and we will serve.
   2. Is there anything in this Chapter 8 that, if only you had known that before, you would have faced that service, or that trial or suffering differently? Yes this is in contrast to what I have been living out all my life. There was a time that there is an invitation to be a YA Director.  I did not push for it because of the uncertainties. " KAya ko bang mag rappelling or go to the mountains with this YA kids, knowing that I am not physically fit,etc. And the meetings of YA are usually Saturdays, I told my PL. I have work on Saturdays. I told my PL that it will also affect my role as a PL.  I am not saying that my decision was wrong considerin the practicalities . What I am saying is that may be , I could have approached my discernment in a different way.
2. Responding to Suffering with the Right Mindset -- According to Watchman Nee, Christian workers must have a ‘mind to suffer’ -- a willingness to endure hardships for the sake of the gospel.
   1. Recall the very first time you were ever asked to take on meaningful service for the Lord. Were you reluctant and were you fearful prior to taking on the service? Yes, As mentioned, when the YA Director position was offered to me .
   2. Fast forward to today. You do know that you are being trained because you are being lined up for even greater service than you are handling today.  How does this chapter help you prepare your mind and heart better for the eventuality of taking on greater service?  By God's grace , Service has become our way of life. I have no problem in taking on greater service . My prayer is that the Lord grants me the strength and the grace and the guidance of the Holy Spirit  to give up those services that are not aligned to His will.

Quote from Alan Santos on April 11, 2025, 5:44 pm

1. Identifying Personal Suffering -- Watchman Nee teaches that suffering is an expected part of the Christian worker’s life. In all the years that you have been asked to serve the Lord and community, what was the most severe kind of trial or suffering – if any -- that you encountered related or as a consequence of your service? 

• Fortunately, or unfortunately, I don’t think I can think of any circumstance or occasion which has brought me “severe” trial or suffering related to my service. Maybe financial suffering but this has always been answered and addressed, always at the right time, no more, no less. I guess I would consider an illness in the family or relationship problems as a trial or suffering but again, the Lord has continued to provide me with the faith and confidence that He will take care of the situation.

1. 1. If so, how did you respond to this, and looking back, what are your realizations about this in terms of (i) what it says about God, and (ii) what it says about your mindset about suffering.

• Through prayer and faith, God has always answered my prayers in His own way, He has allowed me to stray and sin but because of His unfathomable love, I am always brought back into His loving arms. I have learned to accept whatever He gives me.

1. 1. Is there anything in this Chapter 8 that, if only you had known that before, you would have faced that service, or that trial or suffering differently?

• While enjoyment is not inherently wrong, suffering is necessary for spiritual growth and maturity. It is about attitude, not the amount of suffering, and involves rejoicing in affliction rather than merely enduring it. We must be mentally prepared for suffering to avoid being caught off guard. 

1. Responding to Suffering with the Right Mindset -- According to Watchman Nee, Christian workers must have a ‘mind to suffer’ -- a willingness to endure hardships for the sake of the gospel.
   1. Recall the very first time you were ever asked to take on meaningful service for the Lord. Were you reluctant and were you fearful prior to taking on the service? 

• All service given to me or was asked to take on has always made me reluctant or fearful, whether big or small for fear of failing or not doing a good or acceptable service. I always try to prepare myself for the task and pray that I will do honor and glory to God. I am not a preacher or one who can give good exhortations. I am happy to serve in the background and help my brothers and sisters.

1. 1. Fast forward to today. You do know that you are being trained because you are being lined up for even greater service than you are handling today.  How does this chapter help you prepare your mind and heart better for the eventuality of taking on greater service?

• I must have the willingness to suffer for the Lord’s sake which eliminates fear and strengthens resolve, even in the face of adversity. I should be prepared to suffer "even until death" for the Lord’s work.

Quote from Gary Bogarin on April 27, 2025, 10:49 pm

1. Identifying Personal Suffering -- Watchman Nee teaches that suffering is an expected part of the Christian worker’s life. In all the years that you have been asked to serve the Lord and community, what was the most severe kind of trial or suffering – if any -- that you encountered related or as a consequence of your service? 
   1. • Looking back, the most severe trial or suffering I can recall I encountered  was not really related or a consequence of my service but it happened during the time I was Branch Leader of Lingkod Greenhills in the early 2000s. 
   2. If so, how did you respond to this, and looking back, what are your realizations about this in terms of (i) what it says about God, and (ii) what it says about your mindset about suffering.
      • Initially, I was questioning God on why it had to happen to me and even had the audacity to remind Him of how much I was serving Him, how much I was giving up to serve the brothers and sisters, etc.  But the incident instead made me cling more on to God and His promises for me. I saw myself relying solely on God and trusting that He has my back, that I just need to surrender everything to Him and He will see me through. I just continued on with my service in the branch, in spite of the difficulties and never allowed myself to be pulled down or distracted by the evil one. God indeed saw me through all of the hardships, He blessed me with brothers and sisters who willingly helped in whatever way they can to ease my suffering during that time. 
   3. Is there anything in this Chapter 8 that, if only you had known that before, you would have faced that service, or that trial or suffering differently?
      • This chapter reminds me of the saying that 'as you move closer to God or expect the devil to work double time".  The devil uses the trials and sufferings to distract us and discourage us from our desire to draw nearer to God. This chapter reminds me to be thankful that I am part of God's army. That I should and will never retreat in the middle of any battle.
2. Responding to Suffering with the Right Mindset -- According to Watchman Nee, Christian workers must have a ‘mind to suffer’ -- a willingness to endure hardships for the sake of the gospel.
   1. Recall the very first time you were ever asked to take on meaningful service for the Lord. Were you reluctant and were you fearful prior to taking on the service? 
      • Yes of course I was very reluctant to accept the service. I felt not equipped and not worthy to even be considered for the service.
   2. Fast forward to today. You do know that you are being trained because you are being lined up for even greater service than you are handling today.  How does this chapter help you prepare your mind and heart better for the eventuality of taking on greater service?
      • As we take on greater service, I expect more trails and sufferings to come our way. This chapter prepares us to expect the trials and sufferings to come and when they do we are expected to be more reliant on the grace of the Lord to strengthen, guide and direct us. We are expected to also seek more of God's wisdom and knowledge to better prepare our hearts and minds as we take on bigger responsibility.

Quote from Alex Filamor on April 28, 2025, 4:31 pm

1. Identifying Personal Suffering
   • This is what I am experiencing currently, as I decided to be closer and closer to the Lord and say my yes to him obediently, but my situation is not cooperating. I lost my job, and I have been on a long haul getting one. 
   • But despite this uneventful time in my life, I did not lose hope and continued trusting in His promise that He would take care of my innermost needs.
   • Suffering is a form of a journey that you will experience to be stronger and trusting on God.
2. Responding to Suffering with the Right Mindset
   • Yes, I have hesitations about saying yes to the service of being a Pastoral Leader, but the Lord is speaking to me very strongly that my current service before as a District Servant (for a very long time) is not the one that He wants me to do.
   • And today, I kinda realize God's way of preparing me for a bigger role. Everything has a purpose, and I fully acknowledge that even a suffering experience is a blessing and a journey that a servant leader will go through. 

Please pray for me my dear brothers. 🙏🙏🙏

Quote from Eddie on April 29, 2025, 10:22 am

Quote from Noel Lugue on April 9, 2025, 5:26 pm

1. Identifying Personal Suffering -- Watchman Nee teaches that suffering is an expected part of the Christian worker’s life. In all the years that you have been asked to serve the Lord and community, what was the most severe kind of trial or suffering – if any -- that you encountered related or as a consequence of your service? 
   1. If so, how did you respond to this, and looking back, what are your realizations about this in terms of (i) what it says about God, and (ii) what it says about your mindset about suffering.  I believe that most leaders in my district knows that sometime in 2003 or 2004 , my  suffered financial difficulties . It was not a consequence of my service but rather my persistent in doing and trying different business like Networking or Insurance.  I was in Debt. Because I thought that if I had my own business, I will have more time to serve . In 2007, I finally went back to employment and things get better.     What was God saying to me back then , was His ways are not my ways.  In terms of my commitment , by God's grace we remained faithful to our commitment. Even taking the tricycle or taking bus to go home to Pandi Bulacan .  Kahit buntis si LAv, we see to it that we will not be absent to community  gatherings. Our strength comes from the word "CALLING". As long as God is calling us into this way of life , we will come and we will serve.
   2. Is there anything in this Chapter 8 that, if only you had known that before, you would have faced that service, or that trial or suffering differently? Yes this is in contrast to what I have been living out all my life. There was a time that there is an invitation to be a YA Director.  I did not push for it because of the uncertainties. " KAya ko bang mag rappelling or go to the mountains with this YA kids, knowing that I am not physically fit,etc. And the meetings of YA are usually Saturdays, I told my PL. I have work on Saturdays. I told my PL that it will also affect my role as a PL.  I am not saying that my decision was wrong considerin the practicalities . What I am saying is that may be , I could have approached my discernment in a different way.
2. Responding to Suffering with the Right Mindset -- According to Watchman Nee, Christian workers must have a ‘mind to suffer’ -- a willingness to endure hardships for the sake of the gospel.
   1. Recall the very first time you were ever asked to take on meaningful service for the Lord. Were you reluctant and were you fearful prior to taking on the service? Yes, As mentioned, when the YA Director position was offered to me .
   2. Fast forward to today. You do know that you are being trained because you are being lined up for even greater service than you are handling today.  How does this chapter help you prepare your mind and heart better for the eventuality of taking on greater service?  By God's grace , Service has become our way of life. I have no problem in taking on greater service . My prayer is that the Lord grants me the strength and the grace and the guidance of the Holy Spirit  to give up those services that are not aligned to His will.

Thank you, Noel, for your humility in service, and for sharing your difficulties.  Even your non-service related difficulties are storms that God sends to wash out all impurities, and transform us to become more Christlike.  Thank God that He rescued you from that distress.  As for your turning down the YA gig, I know the feeling.  Would you believe, once upon a time, many decades ago, I was asked to handle YA in our Sector.  During that time, wala pa masyadong structure at programa ang YA.  I had no idea what to do.  Haha.  So, yon.  Di nagbunga ang service ko.  Hopefully, one day, those boys -- who are now men and fathers -- will come to Jesus at the proper time.

Quote from James Labayo on April 29, 2025, 5:11 pm

My former District Coordinator before used to say, “hindi pa service kung hindi ka pa nahihirapan.” Another mindset that I acquired from another brother was, “Kapag binigay ni Lord, I am sure kaya ko at mas kaya ni Lord.” By adopting both ideas, serving the Lord is built on our will and God’s grace. I guess these mindsets are similar to this chapter’s topic.

Many years ago, when I was just starting organizing and leading prayer meetings, I always find myself suffering from LBM or any intestine related sickness. It would last for 1-2 days before or during the event. I always know it is related to the service because this does not happen in non-LNP events like office presentations and stage performances. Early on, I learned to accept the consequence whenever I say yes to prayer meeting tasks. I also rely more of my physical strength and protection from Him.

To be able to have a “mind to suffer”, one must really be immersed in various services. Theories are not enough. I, for one, have been assigned to services like logistics, registration, youth worker, event head, prayer meeting leader, and other tasks. One of the benefits of these exposure to service is experiencing the presence of God personally and communally. Trials and sufferings may be present but what really matter is God’s presence.

I pray for our continued growth in the area of service and perseverance.