"HUWAG NA TAYO MAGSIMBA!"

Why go to church when you can pray alone in your own room?

Oo nga naman. If God is everywhere & He is all powerful then He can hear my prayers wherever I am. True. So why don’t we just skip church & pray in our own houses. There is always a deeper reason to the things we do. We need to eat to live but should we just eat anything? There are a lot of reasons why we NEED go to Church. Here are my personal favorites.

Bakit ba dapat tayo mag-S-I-M-B-A? Dahil,

1. "S" -ABI NG DIYOS. If you're a true Christian then you follow whatever God says. Hebrews 10:25 says "We should not stay away from our assembly, as is the custom of some, but encourage one another.” The verse encourages us to always meet together because God says "where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20). If you are #Catholic, Jesus' TRUE PRESENCE is there in the Eucharist body, blood, soul & divinity. Remember, God did not write a single book during His earthly ministry. But He tells Peter that he "will build my Church" (Matthew 16:18) to guide His people. So ask yourself this question - if an imperfect man tells you not to go to Church but a perfect God tells you to go to Church, who should you follow? Remember "we must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29).
2. "I" - CANNOT DO IT ALONE. Mahirap maging kristiyano lalo na pag mag-isa ka. I realized that it is pride that kicks in whenever I think that I don't need God & the Church. Ironically, when you start to think that way that's exactly the moment when you need both God & Church more. You might ask "Why do I need the Church? I can read the bible & do self study?" I agree. Read the bible often, reflect on it & memorize the verses. But we still need the Church to teach us the right interpretation of the Word of God. The book of Acts says that "Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” He replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” So he invited Philip to get in and sit with him.” (Acts 8:31). A modern tagline says "You don't need go to church, you are the church." True, we are the temple of God & the Holy Spirit dwells in us once we are baptized. But we cannot use "I am the church" as a reason for "not going to church”. If we are "the Church," then we should get together with fellow Christians regularly. You cannot "be the church" & "don’t go to church". Today, we have access to a lot of resources like books, podcasts, live streaming talks & Christian conferences. They will enhance our spiritual lives. Pero iba pa din ang pagsamba kasama ang ibang kristiyano. Nothing compares to worship done in the Church.
3. "M" -AKER OF SAINTS. You can say all you want about the defects of this institution but I think you have to agree with me when I declare this truth - THAT THE CHURCH HAS PRODUCED A LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE. The Church is a non-stop saint-making machine! Read the stories in the the bible about drunkards, prostitutes, tax collectors & other sinners who became holy. Lives were transformed. Marami pa din ang mga kwentong ganyan ngayon. Some of them have been declared as saints. But a lot of them are simple men & women who love & serve God & his people silently. You just have to look closer to meet people who changed their lives for God through His Church. It’s always easier to find the fault in anything or anybody. It’s harder to find the blessing. The early Christians met regularly. Read Acts 2:46 "Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart,”. If going to Church was just a fad then why are Christians still doing it till now? There has to be something more in the Church than just being a 2,000 year old fad.
4. "B" -ODY OF BELIEVERS. What is the definition of a Church aside from a physical building or a religious service? Church refers to a particular Christian group. You need to be part of the Church. You cannot be a solo Christian. St. Paul compares loving the Church to a wedding. In Ephesians 5:25 it says "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her.” Church & God are inseparable. You cannot say “I believe in God but I don’t want to go to Church.” Imagine a man declaring to his fiancee “I love you & I want to marry you BUT I don’t want to live with you.” That would be totally weird, right? That means you want the benefits of marriage but not the relationship. Ano ka suwerte? Ok, maybe your next concern is this - “I don’t want to go to Church because it’s filled with hypocrites!” Let's go back to the wedding analogy. When you marry someone, do you accept your spouse only? NO. You have to accept EVERYTHING about your partner. You accept your in-laws, the siblings of your spouse, their family traditions, their beliefs & even their family’s pet. Part of the Christian experience is having a relationship with fellowship believers. Even if you don’t like them. You attend Church not to notice the defects of the institution or those attending. You attend Church so you can see how good God is that despite the defects of everyone, including yourself, God chose to love all of us.
5. "A" -CCEPTANCE. We were designed for relationships. We need each other. Admit it or not, we have this desire to be accepted by others. This is why I love the Church. Because the Church is always open to accept everybody. Others say that the Church discriminates against “bad” people of our society. That’s totally wrong! Hindi lang mali, maling-mali! The Church will do whatever Jesus would do. Jesus accepted the adulterous woman but wanted her to change her ways. Jesus said to her “Neither do I condemn you. Go & from now on do not sin any more” (John 8:11). That's how the Church will treat anybody too. Do you want to feel accepted? Go to the nearest Church & feel God’s embrace in everything that’s in the Church.

There are more reasons why you should attend Church. Always remember that attending Church is not a burden but a blessing. Maybe you still have an excuse in your mind right now. "The traffic is terrible, it’s hot in Church, the sermon is boring, the music is old, etc. etc".

Recall what Jesus did for you.

Philippians 2:6-8 " ...though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness, and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross."

How does your excuse compare to what Jesus did for you?

Tara na at tayo’y mag-S-I-M-B-A! Hope to see you in Church soon, fellow sinner. Be blessed! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

"MAY BUKAS PA"

a personal reflection on today's Gospel Mark 13:24-32 (November 18, 2018)

Life is difficult. 

That's a fact. 

Problems are part of life. Baka katatapos mo pa lang sa isang problema, baka andyan pa ang problema mo o may parating pa lang na problema. 

It's a sad reality but we have to accept it. Here's the Good News. Lahat ng bagay sa mundong ito as lilipas. Mark 13:31 says "Heaven and earth will pass away"

Kasama na dyan ang mga problema mo. Lilipas din yan! Wag ka na ma-stress masyado.

The full verse of Mark 13:31 says "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." Ang Diyos as walang katapusan. He has no expiry. So, you have two choices. You either trust this world that will eventually end. Or you can trust God who created this world & will lasts forever.

This is why I love the traditional Jewish day. It starts from sunset instead of sunrise. Nagsisimula sa dilim pero kasunod ay liwanag. It teaches us to be hopeful. It inspires us to look forward to a brighter day.

KAYA KAHIT GAANO KADILIM ANG MUNDO MO NGAYON, MAY LIWANAG PA DIN NA PARATING.

Trust and believe in the true light of the world. Jesus says in John 8:12 "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

May you have a blessed week! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

"BARYA LANG PO SA UMAGA"

a personal reflection on Mark 12:38-44 (November 11, 2018)

It's always better to give than to receive. Alam natin lahat yan. St. Paul says that "each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7). Maging masaya ka kung nakakapagbigay ka!

Madami sa atinn ang handang magbigay o tumulong. Pero iba-iba ang dahilan natin. What motivates your to give?

1. Do you GIVE-TO-GET?  St. Francis of Assisi says that "it is in giving that we receive." But we should remember that Christian giving is not a business transaction. Sana'y nagbibigay tayo bilang pasasalamat sa mga biyaya na galing sa Diyos. If you receive a blessing after giving something then be thankful. If you don't get anything in return, be thankful also. Because if you can afford to give then that means you are blessed.
2. Do you GIVE-FROM-EXCESS? In Mark 12:41".. the multitude putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums." Marami ang malaki mabigay pero malaki pa din naiiwan sa kanila. When it comes to Christian giving it's not how much you give but how much is left. The poor widow gave only a little but Jesus says she gave more. In Mark 12:43-44 Jesus says "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For they all contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, her whole living." 
3. Do you GIVE-YOUR-ALL? if you want to be a winner give your all in everything. Yan ang tatak ng tunay na champion - TODO BIGAY. Jesus calls you to make a choice. Its either you give 100% to Him or don’t be a Christian at all. Aim to give God your all. Why? Because He gave us His all.  Remember John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he GAVE his only begotten Son". 

Give God the best & that means giving your life to Him in total surrender. May you have a blessed week! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

MGA PANYERO

Sometimes when life is filled with TRIALS, we JUDGE God's action or lack of action. 

Are you GUILTY of this?
Then OVERRULE that mentality. Change your VERDICT. Instead of guilt, be excited to WITNESS God's coming miracle
That's the best REBUTTAL to anyone who says that God does not care.

Trials are part of life & everyone experiences it. No exemptions. So change your perspective about trials.

What’s the right attitude? Carry them. Carry your Cross & Follow Christ. Today’s Gospel says it clearly "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:27)

The NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers basketball slogan says "TRUST THE PROCESS”. God says the same to you today. Trust him, carry your trials and follow Jesus. Because trials are part of the process in becoming a saint someday. #Kapitlang mga kapatid!

Have a blessed Wednesday! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

HELLO FUTURE SAINT!

Yes, ikaw nga. I'm talking to you. Today is the feast day of what you are meant to be. You were designed by God to be a saint.

That's kinda hard to believe right? Me, a saint? Every production batch has 'rejects'. Baka ako yun. If you feel too righteous you might say "I know someone who's part of the rejects."

Here's the truth - YOU ARE MEANT TO BE A SAINT. That's your destiny! You can't believe because the world, the devil & and your own self says otherwise. They tell you lies like,

1. "Ikaw? Saint? Impossible!" But GOD SAYS "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26
2. "Ikaw? Santo? You're too weak to be one". But GOD SAYS " My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9
3. "Ikaw? Holy? Check your family tree. It's filled with sinners." Yes, our earthly family members are all sinners. We all are sinners. But GOD SAYS that we're also "all sons of God, through faith." Galatians 3:26. That means your have "holy" blood running on your veins.

So don't believe the lies. Believe the Word, the Word of God because that's the truth. Life is hard but we are called to persevere. Magtiyaga at magtiwala ka lang sa Kanya. Dahil sa dulo ng lahat ng ito ay may gantimpala na naghihintay para sa iyo.

"Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven" - Matthew 5:12a

Celebrate your destiny. Live to be a saint each day. Happy Feast day FUTURE SAINT! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

"CLOSE-OPEN, CLOSE-OPEN"

a personal reflection on today's Gospel Mark 10:46-52 (October 28, 2018)

Kulang ang buhay pag wala ang Diyos. Because everyone needs God in their lives. They might not admit it. They might even deny God exists but deep in their hearts they are crying out "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" (Mark 10:47)

Sadly, we sometimes choose to CLOSE the door to those who are seeking. Maybe we are too righteous so we tend to shut the door on them. Like in Mark 10:48 ".. many rebuked him, telling him to be silent". We should be more OPEN so we can lead them to Christ. We encourage them to "take heart; rise, he is calling you." (Mark 10:49)

Buti pa nga ang bulag nakakakita! That's the scene in today's Gospel when Bartimaeus cried out "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" (Mark 10:47). He "saw" Jesus while others questioned if Jesus was the saviour.

That's faith! His eyes were CLOSED but his heart was OPEN for God. Because of his faith, Bartimaeus "saw" God. We don't see God because we are spiritually blind. What causes this blindness? Our very own M-A-T-A.

• M-ATERIALISM. When focus too much in material things we become too self-sufficient. Money becomes our security. "Ok lang huwag magsimba kasi may pera" becomes our mantra. That's the concern of rich young man in Matthew 19. He followed all the commandments but he could not let go of his possessions.
• A-CTIONLESS. When we fall into the sin of omission. When we become indifferent. Prayer coupled with action is what God teaches us. When Jesus heard Bartimaeus he immediatelty 'stopped and said, "Call him."' (Mark 10:49). That's love in action.
• T-HEOLOGY over CHARITY. Anesthesia is use to block us from physical pain. As Christian, we sometimes use "spiritual" anesthesia. Ano yun? When we use spiritual matters to block ourselves from helping others. The priest & the Levite in Luke 10 failed to help the man who was robbed because they prioritized their role in the temple. Let us follow the example of the Good Samaritan who took time to help out the man.
• A-KO MUNA SYNDROME. When we put our interests or problems above everything else. "Pag di umikot ang mundo sa akin ayoko na sa mundo!" John the Baptist said "He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30). Jesus, hanging on the cross, did not focus on his condition. He ignored all the pain in HIS body so HE can talk to the robber & save him.

M-A-T-A. These four things make us blind. Be cautious about your M-A-T-A. Because when we are blind we cannot #ShareAboutJesus to everybody.

God asked Bartimaeus - “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus is asking us the same today. Why don't we ask HIM also - "Lord, what do YOU want me to do for YOU?"

May you have a blessed week! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

"WAG TAYONG PABIDA"

a personal reflection on the Gospel of Mark 10:35-45 for October 21, 2018

We all have a natural desire to be "Numero Uno". That's what this world encourages. Even the apostles, James & John, expressed this desire.

In Mark 10:37 they said to Jesus, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory."
May good at bad point sa dialogue nila.

Here's the good point. The request showed that James & John truly believed that Jesus was the Top Guy, the Saviour, 2nd Person of the Trinity, The Word & other divine titles.

Here's the not so good point. They asked Jesus to share that distinction with them. They wanted to be credited as one of the top guys also.

Di ba ganyan din tayo? Ilang waiting shed ba ang nakita niyo na may nakasulat na

"THIS WAS DONATED BY MAYOR/CONGRESSMAN/ETC....."

Jesus warned them in Mark 10:38 - "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the chalice that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?"

Then Jesus said to them "but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." (Mark 10:40)

Simply put, Jesus was saying, "I am sorry but that position is RESERVED."

The next thing that happened was not good. Because after that conversation there was friction between James & John & the other apostles.

"And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John." - Mark 10:41

My reflection on today's Gospel is this - GULO AT AWAY ANG NAIDUDULOT KAPAG INUNA NATIN ANG ATING SARILI.

What should be our focus instead? SERVE ONE ANOTHER. Para maging Numero Uno ka sa mata ng Panginoon magsilbi ka. We should SILENTLY serve one another. No billboards, no signs, no credit grabbing.

"But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all." - Mark 10:43-44

Be like Jesus. Serve like Jesus.

"For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." - Mark 10:45

If we want our lives, our country & our world to be better we need to serve one another. May you have a blessed week! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

PARA SAAN ANG SARADONG PAYONG?

Wala. None. Nil. Nothing. Zero. A closed umbrella is not able to do it's purpose. Dapat bukas siya. It needs to be open so it can keep someone dry from the rain. It needs to be open to protect one from ultraviolet light on a sunny day. Pag open, may purpose. Pag closed, wala.

The same truth applies to us. We need to be open. Open to what?

• BE OPEN TO CHANGE. Pride keeps us closed. Dahil sa “pride" ayaw na natin baguhin ang sarili natin. We declare to everyone that “this is me" so take it or leave it. Change that attitude. Be open instead & allow good changes in your life. Be open to feedback. Instead of the "take it or leave it” attitude, have the "take the changes & love it” attitude.
• BE OPEN TO MENTORS. Cut short the learning process by getting mentors. Seek people who can guide you in every area of your life. It does not have to be one person giving you advice on everything. The more, the merrier. The more mentors, the lesser mistakes for you.
• BE OPEN TO SHARE YOUR GIFT. Your talents are not for your own enjoyment only. Do not keep your talents to yourself. Be open to share it so you can serve others well. Be open to share your gift & bless the world!
• BE OPEN TO WORK with OTHERS. We were made for relationships. You may be super good in one or two things but you struggle in a lot of other things. This is where relationships come in. Form a dream team where each member’s strengths compensate for each member’s weakness.

A closed minded person never grows & growth is key to living a full life. BE OPEN so that you may fulfill your purpose.

Here's my closing story.

Once there was a man who was deaf & mute. His friends brought him to Jesus & they begged the Lord to heal him. Jesus took him away from the crowd, looked up to heaven & said to him “BE OPENED.” (Mark 7:34). Then a miracle happened!

"And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.” - Mark 7:35

What's the point? BE OPEN SO YOU CAN EXPERIENCE A MIRACLE! Walang milagro sa taong sarado.

Have a blessed day! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

“MAY FOREVER BA?"

A personal reflection on Mark 10:17-30 (October 14, 2018)

I opened Facebook the other day & saw that twelve of my FB friends were celebrating their birthday. I opened the list to start greeting them. I was on Friend #3 when I suddenly realized that he passed away last year after a fatal heart attack. So I skipped him to move on to the next friend. I reached Friend #8 & remembered that cancer took her away several years back. When I was on Friend #11, I recalled how he passed away was 3 years ago due to a car accident. Wow! Three out of the 12 friends in the list has passed on. At lahat sila, below the age of 45 years old.

Life is short. We all know that. Well, to be exact - Life on EARTH is short. Walang forever sa mundong ito. That's the truth!

But why do we have this desire to live forever? That's what the man asked Jesus in today's Gospel when "a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" - Mark 10:17

Kahit noong panahon ni Kristo nais na ng tao na mabuhay habambuhay. Why do we want to live for eternity? The answer is simple. God designed us to live forever.

C.S. Lewis said that "If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”

We were not meant to live forever in this world but to last for eternity in God's world. So what's the secret to living forever?

The answer that Jesus gave the man can be summed up in three points.

1. BE GOOD. It starts with you. In Mark 10:18 Jesus said to man, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.” We are created in the image & likeness of God so we should God-like. Being good is being god-like. Every child takes on his or her father’s name. Every child of God should take on the Father’s characteristics. Aim higher than just being good. Go for sainthood. Jesus says in Matthew 5:48 "..be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
2. DO GOOD. It's all about how you treat others. In Mark 10:19, Jesus recites to the man the commandments. Simple lang naman ang mensahe ng mga utos ng Diyos. Be good. It will be hard to do because we are broken creatures. That’s why we rely on God because "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27). Every morning when you wake up always ask yourself - WHAT GOOD CAN I DO TODAY?
3. DON’T ACCUMULATE “GOODS”. Why collect things that you cannot bring outside this world? So instead of COLLECTING focus on GIVING. Jesus said in Mark 10:21 “..go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Do not treat money as evil. Instead treat is as a tool to show love to others.

Be good, do good & don’t accumulate “goods”. Starting today, aim to live for eternity. May you have a blessed week! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

"KAPE-CAT" KA BA?

a reflection on Luke 10:25-37 (October 8, 2018)

I love coffee. What’s a day like without coffee?

I don’t like cats. No offense to my cat lover friends but I’m allergic to them. But this post is not about cats or coffee. It’s about being a Christian. Huh? Ang layo naman.

This post is about being a copycat of Jesus. But similar my “KAPE-CAT” definition, we love it yet we don’t like it.

Most of us love it when we are called Christians. We don’t mind it when people call us “Saint (insert your name here)”. We wear statement shirts with "John 3:16", "Jeremiah 29:11" or Steph Curry’s favorite “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). We have a Bible app in our phones. We don’t mind the label or tag that we are Christians.

However, we don’t like the requirement that goes with the title. Jesus said that as Christians we should,

• "love your enemies" (Luke 6:27)
• "sell what you have and give to the poor" (Matthew 19:21)
• "take up his cross, and follow me" (Matthew 16:24)

Ang hirap naman. Di ba pwedeng, “wear a shirt with a bible verse and follow me” na lang?

Well, I don’t think so.

A Christian is a follower of the Christ. The definition is simple but the required action is difficult. Jesus says "Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37b).

What does HE mean by “Go"?

1. “Go” requires your personal “YES”. You cannot approach a friend and say “can you be a Christian in my behalf?” Walang pong “proxy" pagdating sa pagiging Kristiyano. A Christian should accept God with full personal conviction. We are called to love God in a personal way because that is how HE loves us. That’s what a relationship is all about.
2. “Go” means you have move from one point to another. It is an active word. It should not end with praying for someone. It means going beyond what is comfortable for us. It means loving the un-loveable. It means sharing the Good News to those we perceived as “bad”. Will it be difficult? YES. Will it be worth it? YES. So go for it! Live out the Christian life no matter how difficult it can become.
3. “Go” means to be habitually in a certain state. We should be Christians all the time, every time. We don’t wear our halos during Sunday & then keep in hidden in the locker for the rest of the week. We all are God’s living billboards. We project to others how God loves. We show to everyone how God cares for those in need. We forgive like God no matter how much hurt we experienced. We are called to be Christians 24/7.
4. “Go” means to arrive at a certain state. What is the state? That we should become a replica of Jesus. Always aim to be a saint. What? Me, a saint? Sigurado ba si Lord? I can relate to this 100%. There are moments in my life when I asked God the same questions. God's reply is the always same - “Don’t worry. I am in the business of turning garbage into gold.” Read the bible, see the type of people that God used & you will see what God means.

Now, what does Jesus mean by “do likewise”?

Don’t be a "kape-cat”. Don’t be someone who loves certain parts of Christianity but avoids the difficult parts. Be a copycat of Jesus. Listen to HIM, follow HIM & work out your life to be like HIM. Give Jesus your all. Kung may isang bagay na dapat GO na GO ka sa buhay na ito, wala ng iba yan kung hindi si Kristo.

May this post inspire you to be a saint. Share it others that they may also be live a life for God. - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

#ShareAboutJesus

RIGHT BEFORE YOUR EYES

“Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.”— Luke 10:3

I realized something as I turned on the car’s ignition key. My parking ticket was missing!

I scoured my wallet. I searched inside the car. I went out of the car and looked underneath it. Nothing. I decided to retrace my steps to the mall. My head was bowed down as I looked intently on the floor with the hope of finding my lost parking ticket. But it was not my lucky day. I decided to go back to the parking lot as my search turned futile. I might as well pay the full penalty for losing the parking ticket.

As I was about to ride the car, a security guard approached me. “Sir, are you looking for something?” I noticed his smile as I shared my concern. Then he pointed to the car’s wiper where a parking ticket was securely fastened. I was both happy and surprised at the turn of events. The parking ticket was just there in front of me and I didn’t notice it!

God calls us to carry out His mission. Often, it doesn’t require us to go to far-flung places. So don’t look too far and end up frustrated. Our mission field may be right before our eyes. - alvinfabella@yahoo.com 

Reflect: Prepare your evangelization list and start with your family and friends.

Lord, bless this list. May Your Holy Spirit encourage me to share about Your love to the people in my list. Amen.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us.

http://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2018-10-04

SA PULA, SA PUTI

A personal reflection on the Gospel of MARK 9:38-43,45,47-48 (September 30, 2018)

I used to be indecisive but now I’m not sure. :)

Lahat tayo ay may desisyon na ginagawa. I read the following stats recently.

• 773,618 - That's how many decisions an average person makes in a lifetime
• 143,262 - That's how many decisions a person regrets over a lifetime
• 27 - A typical adult makes that many decisions a day
• 9 - Some decisions can take up 9 minutes so your 27 decisions in a day may take up 4 hours out of your 24

Your decision making starts once you wake up. You have to decide whether to turn off the alarm or hit snooze. Pwede kang tumigil na sa pagbasa nitong post o pwedeng ituloy mo. It’s your choice.

What’s my point?

Decision making is key. And God calls you to make one. In Mark 9:40 Jesus says "For whoever is not against us is for us.” Choosing Jesus means following Him all the way. You cannot sit on the fence anymore. There is only one Truth and you follow that truth.

• When God says sin is bad for you, it is. Don’t sugarcoat or justify it. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” - Romans 6:23
• When God says love everybody, that includes the most irritating people in your life. “..love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another” - John 13:34
• When God says love your Church, love it like Jesus loves us. "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her" - Ephesians 5:25
• When God says share my Word to everyone, then we evangelize everyone. "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, “ - Matthew 28:19

So pumili ka na? Kay Kristo or sa mundo? That’s your call. Choose well because this decision affects not just your earthly life but your eternal life. - alvinfabella@yahoo.com