GOOD, BETTER, BEST

My daughter left for her overseas internship last Friday. This is part of her college curriculum & she'll be away for 6-7 weeks. My wife & I felt sad after we sent her off. I'll miss her but this will be a GOOD learning experience for her. I’m excited to hear her stories when she returns.

I went to a wake after sending her off. The daughter of a good friend passed away. She was special child who succumbed to pneumonia & other complications. I felt my friend's pain as my she shared the agony her daughter experienced. I was shocked to see pictures of her daughter’s blistered hand due to the medicine. No words would be enough to comfort my friend. I was just thankful that her daughter was now free from pain. She'll be missed but I believe she's in a BETTER place.

Our Heavenly Father misses us too. God wants us to be with HIM always. The problem is we keep moving away from God every time we sin.

How can we be with God always?

That’s what the lawyer asked Jesus in today’s Gospel, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" (Luke 10:25)

FOLLOW GOD ALWAYS.

That's the answer! That’s the BEST way to live!

Deuteronomy 30:10 says that we need to “obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep his commandments .... with all your heart and with all your soul.”

Friends, don't allow the GOOD & BETTER options of this world distract you from receiving the BEST.

It’s wrong to think that wordly things will make you happy. One of my fave writers C.S. Lewis said, “Human history is the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.”

If you want the BEST then follow Jesus. HE is the BEST example for us. Colossians 1:15 says that “He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation”

God is the best so don't settle for anything less. Have a blessed Sunday! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

LOOK BEYOND THE LOOKS

A question in a job application form says, "Can you say, in one word, what's your strongest attribute?"

The applicant wrote, ‘I’m very good at following instructions.’

We choose the "best" based on looks, credentials & our own personal biases.

But that’s not how God chooses. The Gospel today (Matthew 10:1-7) is about the 12 apostles that Jesus chose. They were not perfect, holy or flawless. Check out some of their shortcomings.

1. Peter is well known for denying Jesus 3 times after Christ was arrested. Read John 18:15 onwards. Loyalty is a good trait. Peter did not show any.
2. Nathanael, also known as Bartholomew, expressed some prejudice about Nazareth when he said “can anything good come from Nazareth?” (John 1:46). Try posting a derogatory statement like that in Social Media today & wait for netizens to correct or even lambast you.
3. Matthew was a tax collector who was despised by a lot. His job was known for taking extra money from the people to pay off the Romans & to pad their own pockets. Don’t be a tax collector in Jesus' time if you want to win Mr. or Ms. Popular.
4. Thomas who was nicknamed “Doubting Thomas”. When the other disciples said that Jesus rose from the dead, he said “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” (John 20:25). He spent 3 years with Jesus but still doubted that Jesus can resurrect.
5. Judas Iscariot is known as The Traitor. He followed Jesus but later betrayed HIM for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15). No words can describe the evil that Judas did to our Lord.

These are some of the men who Jesus gave authority & power (Matthew 10:1). These 12 men (Matthew 10:12) responded to HIS call. They were ordinary, uneducated & simple men of faith who gave up everything to be follow HIM. They were from rural areas, farmers & fisherman. They did not have amazing credentials.

When you look at their resume’ will you hire them to do such a daunting task? Maybe not.

But God follows a different criteria. Because God "does not see as a mortal, who sees the appearance. The LORD looks into the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

What’s the point of today’s Gospel?

GOD CAN USE YOU NO MATTER WHAT. Jesus will empower you. A popular phrase says “God doesn’t call the QUALIFIED. HE qualifies the CALLED.”

How can you be part of #TeamJesus?

BE HUMBLE. Remember that “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)

You may think that you are not competent. But God does. So see yourself as God sees you. All you have to do is to be HUMBLE, be OPEN to GOD's LOVE & OBEY. - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

IRONIC

A song in the late 90s goes…

"It's like rain on your wedding day. It's a free ride when you've already paid. It's the good advice that you just didn't take…..And isn't it ironic, don't you think"

That’s life. It’s ironic. Technology has brought a lot of changes in our world. We can now do more things easier & faster. Multitasking is possible. We can do most of our errands in autopilot mode.

Does that mean we have more time for ourselves? More importantly, do we have time to follow God?

We have the technology & time but when God calls, we reply with “WAIT LANG”. That's ironic!

The people in the bible did not have the gadgets we have now. But they said YES to God immediately.

• When Jesus said to Matthew "Follow me” (Matthew 9:9), Matthew "rose and followed him.”
• When God asked Abraham to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering, Abraham "rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac” (Genesis 22:3)
• When God calls us it’s not “WAIT LANG”, it’s “OBEY AGAD”

We should dropped everything & follow Jesus. God did the same for all of us.

Romans 8:32 says "He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all”

Everything starts with obedience.

The prophet Samuel preached "Obedience is better than sacrifice, to listen, better than the fat of rams.” (1 Samuel 15:22)

What is God calling you to do? JUST DO IT.

Have a blessed & joyful weekend! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

OBEY NOT "MY WAY"

A dad called his 3 kids to ask who should get the toy he bought. He asked them, “Who is the most obedient?” The kids stared at him in silence. He then asked, “Who never complains to mom when she gives an errand?” The kids looked at each other but did not reply. Dad fired another question, “Who does everything she says?” The kids shouted in unison, “You get the toy Dad!”

Do you find it easy to follow?

A Jesus wanna-be-follower in today's Gospel said, "I will follow you wherever you go" (Luke 9:57). What does it mean to follow Jesus?

• O-BSTACLES. Everyone has a problem, a trial or a obstacle in life. Jesus did not promise a problem-free life. The people who wanted to follow Jesus in Luke 9:56-61 had concerns on where to stay, family members who were still alive & even those who passed away already. We all have concerns but who is our main concern? Jesus says, "no one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62). Following Jesus means MAKING GOD OUR MAIN CONCERN.
• B-USYNESS. Peter & Andrew were busy at work when Jesus called them to "follow me & I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19). Matthew was in his tax office when Jesus said to him, "Follow me". All of them dropped everything they were doing & followed Jesus. They became part of the 12 apostles who spread the Word to the world. Like the 12, we are called to follow Jesus inspite of our BUSYNESS.
• E-MBARASSING MOMENTS. God called Noah to build an ark in the middle of nowhere. I can imagine his neighbors asking him, "what the heck is that?" No one knew what an ark was. After Noah explained what it was, everybody knew there was no use for an ark on their area. Maybe Noah's family felt embarassed for him. But they built it anyway. Because of their obedience their whole family was saved. We need to follow God even if it becomes EMBARASSING.
• Y-OUR WILL BE DONE. Life is not about us but all about God. Jesus had a daunting mission. HE had to suffer & die to save us. HE knew it would be difficult. Yet, HE prayed, "My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." (Matthew 26:39). When we follow God we mean "YOUR WILL BE DONE, ALL THE TIME."

You are called to O-B-E-Y. Obedience is a virtue. When Jesus says "Follow me." (Luke 9:59), WE FOLLOW. No questions asked.

Have a blessed Sunday! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

OMG!

One day, ten lepers met Jesus & cried out “Master! Have pity on us!” (Luke 17:13)

Jesus saw them & says "go show yourselves to the priests" (Luke 17:14). Wait, what was that all about? I was expecting HIM to say “be healed”, “be clean”, “be well” or maybe "be flawless."

Jesus' reply sounded weird. That’s weird if you don’t read the full verse. Because Luke 17:14 ends with “as they were going they were CLEANSED.”

Wow, OMG! That’s the first "OMG!" in the story. The lepers were healed after they followed. God doesn’t heal them instantly but in the process of following Jesus they were healed. OBEDIENCE FIRST, THEN the MIRACLE FOLLOWS.

There's a second "OMG!" moment in the story.

“And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice.” (Luke 17:15)

There were ten lepers. But only one thank God! Yes, only one. OMG!

How can the other 9 be so un-grateful? Before we judge the 9 let’s look at ourselves first. How many times did God bless you? How many times did HE forgive you? Did HE save you from life's troubles? How many times did HE provide your needs?

How many times did you go back to God to thank HIM? Maybe 1 out of 10 also. Maybe not even once. 🥺

IF YOU WANT TO FEEL BLESSED, BE THANKFUL ALWAYS.

That’s the O-M-G that I want to share today.

O - obey first then wait for the

M - miracle & always show

G - gratitude

God gives us "OMG!" moments when we follow. Be awed by HIS Love every moment.

Have a blessed weekend! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

OBEY FIRST

Do you want a miracle in your life? Here's the key - OBEY FIRST.

The bible says “ask & it will be given to you” (Matthew 7:7).

The problem is sometimes we want it instantly. We expect that whenever we ASK, we will RECEIVE. Well, that’s not what God teaches us. God calls us to OBEY first then we RECEIVE.

Check this conversation between God & Abraham in today’s reading.

GOD says to Abraham, “Look about you, & from where you are, gaze to the north & south, east & west; all the land that you see I will give to you & your descendants forever. I will make your descendants like the dust of the earth; if anyone could count the dust of the earth, your descendants too might be counted. GET UP & WALK through the land, across its length and breadth, for I give it to you.” (Genesis 13:14-17).

How does Abraham react to God’s instruction?

The following verse says that "Abram MOVED his tents & WENT ON….” (Genesis 13:18)

No words, no questions, no complaints. He simply followed.

God eventually fulfilled HIS promise to Abraham. The once childless Abraham had descendants more than the "dust of the earth". How did this miracle happened? Abraham OBEYED.

MIRACLES HAPPEN WHEN WE OBEY.

OBEY then RECEIVE. Keep that in mind starting today & let your miracles come in God’s time! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

A WHOLE NEW WORLD

Allow me to share this truth - WHATEVER GOD SAYS, HAPPENS!

• When God said "Let there be light, and there was light” (Genesis 1:3).
• Jesus said to the stormy sea “Be still!, the wind ceased & there was great calm” (Mark 4:39).
• HE cried out in front of Lazarus’ tomb “come out!” (John 11:43) & the once dead Lazarus came out alive.

I say again - WHATEVER GOD SAYS, HAPPENS!

Jesus says "You are the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13) in today’s Gospel. What the heck does that mean?

Salt was a precious commodity in ancient times. Today, we continue to use salt to add flavor & to preserve food.

But here is a not so popular use of salt during the ancient times. "Salting the earth" was a ritual of spreading salt on a newly conquered city or land. They would “salt the earth” to make it barren & inhospitable to future generations. This custom was widespread during the ancient times. The bible narrates to us what Abimelech did.

"That entire day Abimelech fought against the city. He captured it, killed the people who were in it, and demolished the city itself, sowing it with salt” - Judges 9:45

So what does Jesus mean when HE says "You are the salt of the earth”? We need to conquer lands for HIM & salt it so that evil won't exist in it anymore. We cannot be passive Christians. If something is wrong we have to call it out as wrong. We have to conquer the evil of this world with God’s goodness & love. 

WE ARE CALLED TO MAKE A WHOLE NEW WORLD FOR GOD.

"You are the salt of the earth”! That’s what God says to you & remember, WHATEVER GOD SAYS HAPPENS!

Be the salt & bless "ALAT" of people starting this today! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

INSIDE-OUT

"Do you want your coffee in a blue or pink cup?"

I would love to have coffee in a green cup but that was asking too much :-)

"The blue coffee cup will do." The aroma of coffee was great! I took a sip. The coffee tasted great too. It just proves that what's inside is more important that what's outside. The color of the cup was less important than the coffee itself. 

Focus on what's inside first. Prioritize the internal always because that's what God teaches. The world teaches us the opposite. It teaches us to focus on the external. It preaches the concept of "looking good, buy the goods & accumulate goods.” Remember, external things don't last. The things that are hidden lasts for eternity.

"for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal" - 2 Corinthians 4:18

If you cut off your leg, you will survive. If you cut off a finger, you will live. If you go blind, you can still move on with life. That's not the case if you lose an internal organ. Have you met a living person with no heart? I meant that in a literal way because some people treat others so harshly that you would say they are heartless. But a person with no physical heart would not live. Why?

Because WHAT’S INSIDE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAT WHAT’S OUTSIDE.

Focus on what's inside like your heart. Give your heart the best care by filling it up with the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 12:34 says 'Let the Holy Spirit to fill up you heart. Remember that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."'

The coffee in a blue cup blessed my afternoon. Similarly, you too are called to bless the world. But you cannot do it alone. You need the Holy Spirit to teach you the right way.

"The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you." - John 14:26

We can only bear fruit when the Holy Spirit lives within us. Because "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23). 

These are the things that our world needs. If we give out love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness & others then we can bless the world.

Be open to the Spirit, receive the gifts and use them to bless the world. Have a blessed week!

Btw, Happy birthday to The Church! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

DO YOU LOVE SURPRISES?

“Not knowing what will happen to me there.” – Acts 20:22

I received a surprising message on my phone early that day. “Bro, we will pray for your talk tonight! See you.” I was surprised because I totally forgot about it. Due to lack of time, I planned to give the talk that I delivered the previous week to another group about God’s awesome love for us. Problem solved. I never thought that I was in for another surprise later that day.

The person who invited me greeted me at the entrance of the venue. “God bless your talk on how God fires up our hearts to serve!” Uh-oh. I realized, at that moment, that I not only forgot about the talk, I also forgot the assigned topic! My steps were heavy as I went up to the second floor where the meeting would be held. I prayed silently to God, “Lord, this is for You. Take charge.”

My prayers were immediately answered when the prayer group leader welcomed me. “Bro, we initially wanted this to be a members-only meeting. But, as you can see, we have a lot of first-timers. Talking about fire in our hearts to serve would not be relevant for them. Is it possible for you to give a different topic?”

I simply replied with a smile. I talked about God’s awesome love that night. It was a wonderful talk, not because I was ready, but because God prepared everything that night. - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

#didache06042019

"I DON'T DESERVE THIS"

My flight got delayed. The cab driver got lost looking for the hotel. Traffic was heavy. 

I was tired & it was late. At this point, you can give me a sleeping bag & I would sleep soundly. Then the surprise came. "Sir, we upgraded your room for free. We hope you enjoy your stay with us." 

Wait, did the lady at the frontdesk just say "UPGRADE"? 

"Thanks!" I don't deserve this but why complain.

Maybe that's how Elizabeth felt in today's Gospel when she cried out loud "why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" (Luke 1:53).

I didn't deserve the upgrade. Elizabeth felt the same about Mary's visit. But when you think about it who is deserving?

NO ONE.

No one is deserving because "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

Even Mary, the mother of our Lord Jesus, knew this as she said "My soul magnifies the Lord, & my spirit rejoices in God my Savior" (Luke 1:46-47). 

She knew that she needed a Saviour. 

The word sin literally translates to "missing the mark". That's like my flight that did not meet the schedule. Or the cab driver who got lost. These things makes one tired. Similarly, sin also makes us tired from pursuing the life that God wants for us.

But here's the GOOD NEWS! We all get a free UPGRADE through Jesus Christ.

"But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, & having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness" - Romans 6:17-18

We got upgraded from living a SINFUL life to a RIGHTEOUS one. We can now pursue & live the life the God wants for us. So #RiseUp & be a Saint!

Truly, we don't deserve this but we are called to just receive it. We are called to receive God's love. Be thankful & get your UPGRADE now. Have a blessed weekend! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com