MOVE ON: Learn To Pause (Part 1 of 4)

Imagine for a few seconds what goes on in the mind (and the life) of a heart broken person who has fallen out of love into depression? How about a bereaved person who had just lost a precious loved one? Or a person who just goes into the motion of work and life with a less real fulfilling purpose? Or imagine a youth who is so caught up in a web of frustrating relationships within and outside the

family? I can tell you a lot more stories of broken people I've read of, encountered, and observed. Others have moved on. Some have fallen deeper into their predicament. And still many others thought they have already solved their problem, but sadly, are just in the state of denial. 

Feelings of rejection, bitterness, betrayal, and the likes are not that easy to bear. But many people are pushing towards the "quick fix syndrome". Beware of such. Quick fixes have no long-term effects. It sorts of solved the problem, but the after effects are like dormant volcanoes that are ready to erupt overtime. Likewise, emotional problems that are untreated with the grace of God can flare up any moment. This may cause longer tedious negative effects. What you need are solutions that have long term solutions. 

At this point, let's pause by identifying your current difficult situation. Finished? Now, let's put God into the picture and ask ourselves: "How does God want me to move on from my difficulty or my trials that has long staying effects?" Spend a few minutes and gather your thoughts. Write it down if you must.

Moreover, I would like to share to you my main thought on this matter of moving on. First things first. Here it is: You cannot move on to God's future for you if you're still presently trapped in your past. Let me emphasize ... You cannot really move on to God's future for you if you're still presently trapped in your past (I'll share more of this in the next three weeks). 

On the outset, if you want to really move on, you need to pause. You need to think through at least on the general details of your life. You need to pause to maximize the benefits. To pause is crucial. To pause is to halt from some of life's busyness and spending enough quality time on what really matters. To pause is to give yourself the liberty to think and feel what's going on in your life. King David did this. He said, "On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night." (Psalm 63:6). To pause is to bring yourself in surrender at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ (And mind you, this is no religious matter). Because there, at the foot of the cross of Christ, issues are dealt with –– at the grass root level! To pause is to bring God into your situation and to let him intervene. There is no magic in the act of pausing. It's just plain reality that you need God ... everyone needs God. And believe me, you need God more than you thought!

This week, take special time to talk to God. Read His Word. Listen to good music with biblical inspiring messages. Reject unnecessary activities that oppose focusing on knowing God. Find encouraging people you trust and could lead you closer to God. Spend time and talk with these wonderful people.

See you again next week for part 2. Enjoy!

Pastor Gene Estrabon III

Senior Pastor at Unified Vision

Quezon City, Philippines

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LIVING IN GOD’S LOVE

[7] Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. [8] Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. [9] This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. [10] This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. [11] Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. [12] No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. —1 John 4:7-12 NIV

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. —1 John 4:16 NIV

[19] We love because he first loved us. [20] Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. – 1 John 4:19-20 NIV

          Your need for love is as real as your need for food. When your need for food is met, you have the potential to be productive. You have energy that came from food. The same logic goes with love. When your need for love is met, you have the potential to be a loving person. You now can give love because you have received love. You begin to relate more effectively. People’s negative attitudes are not that burdensome but are becoming challenges to conquer with the power of God’s love. Suddenly, your view of people and circumstances are changing. You mature and are not easily irritated. And you would probably say, "living from the standpoint of God’s love has far more reaching and lasting benefits.” When people are craving for social stature by any means (which includes religion), you now amazingly discover that all that really matters is the matter of love. 

          Again, love matters. This sure needs expounding and we will surely do that. But before that, let me again tell you that my purpose here is to motivate you all. Moreover, I want to enlighten you in the pursuit of experiencing and sharing God's love apart from just being religious. As you may know, religiosity has its outward significance and people may have benefitted from it socially. But religion alone (as generally understood) does not suffice. Your practice of faith must lead you to live in God’s love. Let me share with you four aspects of how it is to live in God’s love:

Firstly, Living in God’s Love Seeks Love From God. (v.7,9)

          When mere religiosity seeks praise from people, those who have had a taste of God’s love seeks more of God’s love. When I was a young boy, I’ve had my shares of negative criticisms, insults, and even rejections. and i’ve noticed that my defense to those negativities were just to keep quite. I don’t want others to know that I was hurt by their words or their actions. I carried this attitude when I became a teenager. Before I graduated high school, I surrendered my life to God. Then I became more aware of the attitude I had even when I was young. I kept matters within me. I lived in a loving but competitive family that lightened my load in some ways. But still, there are parts of me that hurt badly. Then the transition of surrendering my life to Christ came. And over the years, it taught me to increasingly seek God’s love and favor. I became a worshipper of God rather than egocentric loner. God’s words enlightened me (and more, I learned English better because of the Bible). God’s Word formed my mind. Overtime, I’ve learned how to handle both positive and negative criticisms (by the way, you need both to live right). I’ve learned to understand more where people are coming from. And up until now, I still seek God’s love … and even more as I strive to better understand myself, the people, and the circumstances surrounding me. This is why the next point below is likewise crucial in living in God’s love.

Secondly, Living in God’s Love Is A Process. (v.12)

          When mere religiosity is a quick fix, those who have had a taste of God’s love knows that living in God’s love is a process. I’ve learned along the way that all people are works in progress, even those who are already living in God’s love. This truth unburdened me and taught me to understand people better. Let me share a few. When I was a very young pastor, I always felt inadequate. I lack the age. I lack the experience. I lack the formal studies. I was self-studying to improve myself. I bought and borrowed books. I spent lots of time in reading and studying the Bible. I talked with respective leaders who are well versed in what they do.But in more ways, I still felt inadequate. I was almost mocked because of my very young age while assisting a pastor. But a very wise and loving pastor told me to give myself some time. And that I do not need to be that harsh on myself (I was a perfectionist. Maybe that was my problem then). That respected pastor told me to process myself. The word “process” kept lingering in my mind. And now, almost 20 years has passed, it still is big a reminder for me. Furthermore, it will take more words to describe all the mistakes I’ve had but the learnings are priceless. And even the learnings I’ve had by observing those people who made their own mistakes were even more priceless (I’ve noticed that the perspective of learning from other’s mistakes were far less painful to me). So, I say, let yourself be processed accordingly in God’s love.

Thirdly, Living In God’s Love Is Defined By God's Law Of Love. (vv.8-11,19-20)

          When mere religiosity is defined by rules and rituals, those who have had a taste of God’s love is driven by God’s law of love. Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:31). Notice the last sentence, "There is no commandment greater than these.” Reading it deeper will tell you that living in God’s love is defined by God's law of love. I’ve learned that God’s law of love fulfills all there is to in enjoying a life free from hurt, hatred, self-rejection, performance-orientation, pride, false humility, etc. And i’m learning all the more that God’s law of love teaches acceptance, forgiveness, humility, compassion, honesty, hope, trust, etc. And it draws a person closer to God relationally and not religiously. People are blessed by your presence. Your words will build others up (even if they’re not around). Why? Gossip will be the last thing you do. So I say this again, when mere religiosity is defined by rules and rituals, living in God’s love is defined by God's law of love. And I tell you, there is more fun to discover in this kind of paradigm!

Fourthly, Living In God’s Love Unifies. (v.16)

          When mere religiosity is divisive, those who have had a taste of God’s love lives to unify. John the Beloved said, “and so WE know and rely…” (v.16, emphasis added). He knows that community is very important. I cannot survive the Christian life alone. It’s the “we” that makes up what is lacking in me. It’s the “we” that forms the community –– the alternative community. It’s the “we” that glorifies God. It’s the “we” that showcases unity. I am not talking about the religious norms that are highly competitive but destroys community. I’m talking about godly relationships. Godly relationships are better than attachment to religious norms! It took time for me to understand this better but this is true. I’ve met other people that are too strict on others but they themselves were not able to comply with their own set of rules. Let’s beware of the Pharisee-like attitudes. It does more harm than good. Jesus said, “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!" (Matthew 5:20). Self-righteousness is the mortal enemy of unity. The attitude of I’m-better-than-all-of-you is as highly destructive as hatred. These two shames unity because it does not feed their ego. Remember, living in God’s love unifies. 

Something To Do

          Respond to God's love by RECEIVING and SHARING God's love. 

          The challenge to live in God’s love is not a religious obligation. It is a human respond to the best offer only God can give: to receive and share His love! So whatever your going through, humble yourself before God. Remember, you are not in the losing end when you give away love in the form of respect, honesty, or faithfulness. Even if people will not recognize your word or acts of love, what’s important is that God is glorified. Sooner or later you will reap the benefits of God’s love. Love begets love.

Pastor Gene Estrabon III

Senior Pastor at Unified Vision

Quezon City, Philippines

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YOU CAN MAKE GOD SMILE

“Then God saw everything that he had made, and indeed it was very good.” Genesis 1:31

“Then God saw everything that he had made, and indeed it was very good.” Genesis 1:31

Have you ever ran into the idea of making God smile? If this truth is still new to you or you have likely not taken time to the meaning of this, let me tell an amazing truth: “You can make God smile.”

We as humans have divine opportunities to make God smile through the little or big things that we do. Let me say that in another way: you have the capacity to make God smile. The question now is how can you make God smile? With the idea that God constantly looks at us, let me suggest a few reasons why you can make God smile:

1. God Created You. You were made in the image of God (Gen.1:26).  This is a fact. Even before you did anything good and you just laid there in your crib as a little baby, even then God smiled. God loves people. God loves you. And He wants you to live in His love everyday (more of this in #2). But you need to really internalize and think good that you were created in God’s image. You carry God’s creation DNA in your spirit. But let me tell you likewise that that image was and is marred by sin. Sin corrupted you and me. And do the math with the number of years and the number of ways you lived apart from God’s will. That’s why point number 2 is very important.

2. God Wants A Relationship With You. All people have turned away from God. Even if people are socially better than others, those people have turned away just like any other. As we mature, we want to be independent. Thereby we find ourselves trapped in many negative activities and attitudes. We are in desperate situation if what we do is not making God smile. But God does not leave you alone. He finds ways to get your attention. Let me repeat this: God finds ways to get your attention! Now think for a moment. Have you ever thought of this. If yes, you most probably have received messages from God in various ways. If this is your case, I have four suggestions: Listen. Receive. Believe. Obey. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

3. God Is Never Offended By Your Honest Feelings. You can be as honest as you can with your feelings to God (Genesis 3:8-11). And he will never be offended. He knows you. He loves you. He understands you. You just need to come to Him and be as honest as you should. You cannot hide anything from Him. and in spite of that, He still loves you. Ain’t that great! A God who knows every secret we have yet He still draws us with a Heavenly Fatherly kind of love! (Jeremiah 31:3) Making God smile is being vulnerable enough to Him along with your feeling, your plans, your life. Here, God’s smile is imminent! (Matthew 6:31-33)

4. God Designed You To Be A Blessing. You were designed to be a blessing because God’s image resides in you. But you cannot give what you have not received. You need to receive love from God so that you can give love to people. God’s love repairs your image. We can’t live without it. Remember, you can make God smile even at the simple actions of love we do for God and for people.(Ephesians 2:10). Go for it today!

Friend, you need God in your life! Make Him more than just smile –– make God giggle today with joy!☺

Pastor Gene Estrabon III

Senior Pastor at Unified Vision

Quezon City, Philippines

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WHY DO YOU NEED FAITH?

It is important to understand matters of faith. But it is crucial to discover your understanding of YOUR faith. Faith that is well grounded in God's Word has at least three basic truths. You maybe entering into or maybe you are already in a wonderful faith journey. We want to help enlighten you.

And why do you need faith? The answer to this is the three characteristics of faith:

1. Your faith is confidence. You need faith because faith is about being confident. Most people are confident with something. Faith establishes your confidence. It boosts your morale. It gives you purpose. It aligns your life. But faith is like giving your attention to something, or with a biblical conviction, you need to give your attention to SOMEONE. And that someone is explained below.

2. Your faith is confidence in God's existence. You need faith because you have God to focus it too. There is no better character to focus your faith to than to the God who is not dead...but is fully well and alive! Let me tell you, you will need to focus your faith into something or someone. You can focus your faith to things or to love ones. But things and people change. But God does not! So focus your faith on Him. He exists. And He exists to reward (that's the next point).

3. Your faith in God will be rewarded. Come on...let not be hard on ourselves. We all want to be rewarded, that is, acknowledged or recognised or be given a gift or the likes. Well I have good news for you, God wants to reward you! He wants to bless you. But you will need to believe that He exists and that he rewards those who seek Him earnestly. Friend, it's not hard. The first step (TRUSTING) is as easy as entrusting your journey to a cab or taxi driver believing that the driver will take you safely to your destination. The second step is living your life according to God's will. This is called relationship. Have a meaningful relationship with God starting today.

If you have ever wondered about matters of faith especially on a personal level, please take time to click the link below, watch the video and listen closely. And if the video has blessed you in anyway (though most of the time the Tagalog language is used), please subscribe to us, like this video, and maybe write a simple comment of appreciation to encourage us more towards the sharing of God's Word.

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WHY DO YOU NEED FAITH?
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