Bananasarethebest

I’ve been handling a small group for atleast 2 years now. It’s been quite a journey especially since there were many bumps along the road. I’ve made so many mistakes, but thankfully God was able to redeem every mistake I’ve made.

But today I just wanted to talk about something I’ve most certainly encountered more than once in my walk as a counselor/victory group leader/discipler. It’s about being frustrated when the discipling process doesn’t go our way. 

Have you had times when the people you were discipling were doing stuff that were obviously against the teachings of the bible and/or is doing stuff that are lacking in wisdom? Cause honestly, I’ve handled a lot of cases like that. Inside of my heart, I wanted to instantly correct and rebuke them. I want to quote scriptures just so they would see that what they were doing wasn’t right. I wanted them to.. see how I saw things. 

I’ll be honest, I’ve rebuked the ladies in my small group for their actions in many occasions. I succumbed to the thought that I would be able to change their ideas and perception just by my mere speech and counsel. I reasoned to myself, what I’m doing is for their betterment. I just want them to grow more in their walk with God and on their relationship with others. I just want them to start being more responsible. If only they would listen to me! 

I kept repeating those sentences in my head whenever I am frustrated with the people I’m discipling. The more that i invest my time and love to them, the more that they go on paths that I did not imagine them to be in. It frustrates me so much!!! 

But reading The Lego Principle by Joey Bonifacio made me realize that all the frustrations that I had were a result of a wrong mindset that I have. I treated and acted on discipleship as a “duty” that I had to perform. It was frustrating because I expect that as I do all the necessary things that was expected of me as a leader, the people I am discipling would automatically do their parts as well. Discipling was work, work, work, sacrifice, sacrifice, and sacrifice for me. Yet even though there was dedication and love, the relationship I had with the women I discipling were lacking. I kept treating my small group as a task that I need to perform, instead of a relationship that I want to celebrate and treasure. 

What a beautiful truth set before my eyes~ Discipleship is first and foremost a relationship.. with God and then with man. I can disciple others because God lets me see that people are worth it, that they are a treasure, and valuable to Him.  

I don’t need to change the people I’m discipling. That’s not my job. My job is to keep my relationship with God and with them. My security comes from the fact that it will not be me who will grow them, but it will be God who will. 

I need to say this over and over again: I cannot change people. Only God can change people.

That’s why when I invite people to go to the services, but they reject the invitation, it’s okay. When I ask them to go to the small group, yet they don’t show up, it’s okay. When I tell them the Gospel but they shut it down, it’s okay. I don’t have to push my belief in them because I know that I did my part in sowing the seeds, and God will be the one to make it grow. 

I just need to wait on God, obey, and keep enjoying my relationship with God and others. :)

I leave you with this scripture:

Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who ACTS on behalf of those who WAIT for him. -Isaiah 64:4

Praise report! <3 

Hallo guys, hallo guys! I know it’s finals week na! Wow, one sem has passed. I want to share with you how FAITHFUL God is sa sem ko na ito(As of the moment). NAMAN! Diba diba :D

Anyways, this sem ay napuno ako ng  major subjects ko. Honestly, I wasn’t ready to face this sem! I thought it was going to be the normal semester for me, na I will breeze through it and move on. Pero wow, pag si God talaga kasama mo, what an adventure life is! Hahaha. Anyways, kaya medyo hindi ako naging ready this sem kasi sobrang nagbago ang acad life ko. Honestly kasi, God gave me the gift to remember very well the lectures na binibigay sa classroom, at pag nagbasa ako ng books, madali akong maka-gets. Kaya nakakabreeze through ako sa exams. Ang result, hindi ko na kailagan na masyadong mag-effort kasi nakakaya ko siya. Pero wow, God really sees the heart. Kasi this sem, ang ginawa niya ay binigyan niya ako ng set of professors and subjects na kahit pag-aralan ko, hindi ko magets! Talagang binasa ko na yung buong chapter sa book, nakinig ako sa prof, pati yung slides binasa ko na! Pero pag dating sa exam, kahit ultimong question man lang hindi ko na magets. @_@ Grabe, sobrang nakaka-lungkot na nakakafrustrate na hindi ko magets kung bakit ganuon yung nangyari. It became a consistent thing that happened this sem,kahit mag-aral ako, bumabagsak ako sa exams. Nakakapagod siya, physically and emotionally.

Then, kinausap ko si God ng masinsinan. Hindi ko na kasi kaya physically and emotionally lahat ng nangyayari kasi puro puyat at workworkwok(both in school and in my business). I wanted to give-up, to just cease everything. Kasi nag-aaral naman ako, pero bumabagsak parin ako! Ang dami nang nag cicirculate sa isip ko like, “How will I pass all of these? How will I tell it to my parents? How?”But God encouraged me through His word and said to me,

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. – John 14:1

After nun, na mulat na mata ko na wag mag worry. Evidences point to the worldly fact that I am destined to fail my subjects. But faith is being sure of what we hope for; and God was teaching me to trust in Him. So, I did. Kahit na mukhang walang patutunguhan ang pag-aaral ko, I still did my best and studied for my exams.

So ayun, lumabas na yung results ng lahat ng exams at pinakita na yung exemption list. Tumitingin na ako dun sa mga student number na naka highlight(kasi yun yung magtatake ng finals), pero nagtaka ako. Bakit wala sa mga naka high light yung name ko? So hinanap ko yung name ko sa list(kasi baka na miss out ako ng prof ko, haha!). Nung nakita ko, shucks, EXEMPTED AKO GUYS!!!! Sobrang baba nung first few exams ko, nung I was depending just on my memory and skills on studying. Pero nung tinignan ko yung exam na tinake ko with the grace of God, GUYS NA-PERFECT KO YUNG EXAM!!!!!! Kamown, praises to the one who can revive grades! WUHOOOOOO!!

Pero hindi pa tapos yung story ko. HAHA! More than just the grades, God taught me a lot of virtues during this semester. Most importantly, He taught me how to depend on him on a whole new level! Dati nung hindi ako masyadong bumabagsak at keribels ko yung exams, I can just depend on myself to be victorious in my studies. Talk about pride. Huhu. But God brought me to a level where I can no longer depend on myself. In my weakest moment, God showed me His perfect grace and power over my life. He made it clear to me that with man, it is impossible. But with Him, I can do anything. He is the vine, I am a branch. Bearing fruit is just a consequence of abiding in Him. Kaya nga I can relate to the writer of Psalm 119 when he said,

“It was good for me to be afflicted, so that I may learn your decrees” Psalm 119:71

Kaya gorabels my friendships! Have faith to the one who sees your heart. Stay humble, stay hungry. Remain in Him. He loves you and already won the victory for you. ♥ Always support your faith with diligence. 2 Peter. 1:5-8 

So.. Life is definitely busy. 

I seriously want to slow down with God. 

But nonetheless, He is awesome. Gosh, how many times do I fail Him everyday! But His favor is so evident in my life. He makes me the head and not the tail, and delivers me from unwanted situations. 

I’m a nobody, but oh how loved is this nobody! I have a sea of love drowning me wherever I go. 

Yesterday was, well, youth service night. I’m getting older and my priorities shift. I was too tired from my academic load, with too many laboratories and exams, and from faith-challenging group mates. But since I am compelled to lead, I went to do my duties as a leader. But why did I go with a grudging heart? I almost felt like being dragged. My heart wasn’t ready, I didn’t want to socialize. But when I was there already, I walked to my seat while worship was on-going. I was self-consciously putting my bag on my seat while everyone was worshiping. But what.a.miracle!! After I put down my bag, I felt all my negativity left me. Worship was now my language, it is my dance. I forgot about what didn’t matter in this life, and I was reminded of what life is truly about. I love Him. 

I hope your week went excellent also! :) Do message me if you want someone to talk to. XOXO

May VTR na ginawa about sa life ko!! Short interview video na ginawa on my FAITH!!! 

Please do come this sunday, sa GT Toyota Cultural Hall, UP Diliman Campus, Quezon City para mapanuod. May 9AM, 11AM, 1:30PM, 3PM, 5PM, at 7pm!! Marami kayong mapagpipilian na oras, so please punta kayo!! It would mean a lot to me!! 

Message niyo lang ako if you want to come. :) Thanks!! 

Is it our power? Our money? Our beautiful faces and sexy bodies? Is it enough to conquer all the challenges that will go in our way? Let’s see..

“It was not by their sword that they won the land, 
   nor did their arm bring them victory; 
it was your right hand, your arm, 
   and the light of your face, for you loved them.

 You are my King and my God, 
   who decrees victories for Jacob. 
 Through you we push back our enemies; 
   through your name we trample our foes. 
 I put no trust in my bow, 
   my sword does not bring me victory; 
 but you give us victory over our enemies, 
   you put our adversaries to shame. 
In God we make our boast all day long, 
   and we will praise your name forever.” -Psalm 44:3-8

So there you have it! :) It’s God who will bring us victory in our lives. Let’s learn to rely on Him, instead of ourselves. We are weak in ourselves, but through God all things are possible. :)

And guess who the bible says has this kind of love for you and for me?

 The Lord says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” Jeremiah 31:3

I found that my limitations are irrelevant, that my weaknesses do not matter.

Because what matters is God’s unlimited power that flows in my veins. I am limited, but through God’s power I can conquer this life and be victorious.  

Lord, thank you that I can do all things through you! The joy is mine, but all the glory be yours! :)

David said to the Philistine,

“You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.  All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

- 1 Samuel 17:45-47