Extravagant Waste

I just read this article which stirred me profoundly. These words simply jumped right at me: “ministry to God”.

It appears to be one of the three categories of ministry. In my heart of hearts, it is the one which my heart truly longs for. 

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Rooting for Uber and Grab in the Philippines

The Philippine Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) officials are going after 50,000 allegedly illegal and unauthorized Uber and Grab cars.  This is expected to cause a shortage of public transportation beginning 26 July 2017.  For more details, go to http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/07/19/1720936/ltfrb-orders-deactivation-50000-uber-grab-cars

Can the LTFRB actually do this?  And if they could, should they?

To determine whether the LTFRB can do that, there has to be a determination of whether regulation of ride sharing schemes, such as Uber and Grab is within the ambit of its jurisdiction. To do so, we need to defer to the definition of common carriers under Philippine law.

Art. 1732 of the New Civil Code defines a common carrier as that which is :
1. Engaged in business of carrying or transporting goods or passengers whether as principal or ancillary business and whether on regular/scheduled or occasional basis.
2. Offers its services to the public whether to the general population or narrow segment of general population
3. For compensation or fixed price or rate
4. Control of operation or cargo

The Civil Code definition of common carrier is quite broad. Whether services are offered to a general or narrow segment of the general population, the service providers will still be deemed as common carriers under the Civil Code. Further the Civil Code also does not distinguish between transportation services on a regular or scheduled basis of occasional or unscheduled basis. In this view, I believe that making making Uber and Grab membership-based or arguing that it is not for a broad segment of the general public will not take it out of the LTFRB’s jurisdiction.

The LTFRB, though in its discretion needs to go beyond the strict letter of transportation laws, and consider the spirit behind it, in approaching this matter.

Essentially, the rationale behind transportation laws and the need for regulation of the transportation industry is that: the transportation industry is imbued with public interest. Accordingly, regulators of the industry are to, first and foremost, uphold the needs of the general public.

In the case of the commuting public in Metropolitan Manila, there is a need for the availability of Uber and Grab services, considering the rest of public transportation alternatives. No wonder there is public clamor for Uber and Grab, which can be evidently seen. Hence, the availability of Uber and Grab services is in line with public interest, an interest that is to be upheld by tranportation laws and regulations, as well as the relevant regulators themselves. Public interest, in accordance with the spirit behind transportation laws, simply demands that Uber and Grab operations be sustained.

As an avid and frequent Grab and Uber customer, I am one of those who will be adversely affected by the LTFRB’s actions should they disallow continued Grab and Uber services.  No wonder I have been stirred enough to write about this matter in my blog and even express my opinions in several opinion polls.  My realization though is while a lot of us may write and share a lot of opinions, expert or otherwise, on the situation, the sad fact is: we are not the regulators.  Neither is writing or sharing our opinions guaranteed as effective in swaying the regulators’ perspectives.  But there is one thing that is guaranteed effective: PRAYER.

In the interest of the commuting public in our country (this includes me), I pray for the LTFRB’s move to be struck down and for Uber and Grab operations be sustained in consideration of the immense convenience that both companies have brought into the daily lives of the Filipino commuting public.

—-

A few hours later, lo and behold, I stumbled upon the following posts on Facebook. God is so good! Hallelujah! 

 

Thank You, Lord, for the answered prayer! 

Fruit of the Spirit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. – Galatians 5:22‭-‬23 NKJV

• Come as you are, leave as He is. 
• Encounter. 
• 7-in-1 – simplifies things. 
• Religion has a way of complicating things. It is not through religion that you get relationship with God. It is by looking and believing in Jesus. He displayed all that the Father is, and how to have a relationship with the Father. 

As each of you has received a gift (a particular spiritual talent, a gracious divine endowment), employ it for one another as [befits] good trustees of God’s many-sided grace [faithful stewards of the extremely diverse powers and gifts granted to Christians by unmerited favor]. – 1 Peter 4:10 AMPC

• If you are in Christ, you HAVE received. It is already inside of you. 
• Many-sided grace. It is not just in 1 area. It’s all good. God is good all the while.

[The purpose is] that through the church the complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere. – Ephesians 3:10 AMPC

• Complicated-  we cannot quite grasp it with our own understanding. We need His grace. Like Math, at first it was complicated. But the more you grew, the more you understood it. When He reveals it to us and we step into it, it becomes simple. Christ simplifies the complicated. 
• Jesus is just saying: look to Me, focus on Me. He is the ultimate all in one. The Holy Spirit is like that. 
• God wants things simplified in Christ Jesus. 
• Do not go back to works (like the foolish Galatians). The law is but a tutor. It is all about unmerited favor. 
• We bear the fruit of the Spirit, as we walk in the Spirit. 

For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace. – Galatians 5:4 NLT

• It goes back to man’s effort: making yourself right with God by keeping the law
• Fallen from grace is simply relying on your own works or own effort so you can say, “I’ve done this or that”

Lord, what must I do to enter the Kingdom of God? Jesus enumerated things re: the law. The rich young ruler followed the law to the letter. 

• But when you follow the law, there is always something that you’ll lack. Everyone has fallen short. 
• The law is designed to frustrate you. It is only by His grace. 

But when you are brought into the full freedom of the Spirit of Grace, you will no longer be living under the dominion of the law, but soaring above it! And what are the cravigs of the self-life: I’m referring to…hatred of those who get in your way, senseless arguments, chasing after things instead of God, temper tantrums, being in love with your own opinions, being envious… – Galatians 5:18-19 The Passion Translation 

• On the cross, Jesus cried out: it is finished, it is done. 
• If you rely on this, eventually it will lead you to those, but you’ve already been set free. 
• We no longer have to fight for it, it is done. There’s a new nature that came alive. 
• No longer under the dominion or control of the law

The Fruit

• A tree will never eat its fruit. The idea of the fruit is for others to enjoy. The tree has fruit that has seed in it. Whatever is needed for the tree to perpetuate is already there in the fruit. 
• The seed is kinda bitter. The fruit is always far more beautiful than the seed. The beauty of the fruit is hidden in the seed.
• The fruit looked attractive. That’s why Adam and Eve hung around it. 
• A lot of people are caught up with power. God does not withhold the power. He wants us to want it. The gift of the Spirit displays the doings of God. 
• But we are not just to have the power. The fruit of the Spirit displays your being. 
• For the dove to soar, you need both the gift and the fruit. 
• The Israelites witnessed the mighty power of God, but it did not change them. 
• God is not going to ask you, “what did you do on earth?” We are made in the image and likeness of God? Are you being in the likeness of God, both in character and demonstration?
• You can demonstrate power once in a while, but you will always have essence 24/7. 
• If you’re going to chase after things of God, ask for the fruit. When you ask for the power, why would He deny you that?
• Moses was disqualified from entering the physical promised land. He wasn’t as patient or long-suffering. He hit the rock, water came out…because God wants to minister to people. 

Pursue the fruit, desire the gifts. 

The fruit is not something that God will put in you later on. You already have these. Pastor is just speaking it out so we can operate out of it. The fruit is just physical evidence of am inward reality. 

Maybe we have experienced the power of God, but it is really the fruit of the Spirit that attracts us to Jesus. It is not just the power.

As we display that fruit, we are also inviting people. 

When we squeeze the fruit, when pressure and stress squeezes you, what comes out? What comes out when someone takes a bite at you?

You are the salt of the earth, you release God things. 

The seed is the person of Jesus Christ. Inside the fruit of the Spirit is the seed, Jesus Christ. 

Since we have chosen to walk in the spirit, let’s keep in step with God’s harmony.  – Galatians 5:25 (The Voice)

• The gift is just received; fruit needs to be grown. It takes time and process. 
• If we are the tree, it takes progress. 
• It requires planting in good ground. The seed needs to rest in the ground. Because it’s at rest, the fruit will be evident. 
• We’re not here to compare. We’re here to complement and celebrate the fruitfulness of people. 

If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.] – Galatians 5:25 AMPC

• Rhythm, cadence. One step at a time. Bearing fruit, more fruit, much fruit. 
• And people will see that you’re bearing much fruit. 
• According to your grace. Help is to rest in You. 

Season of the Spectacular – LGI 14th Year Anniversary Message

We couldn’t be more sure of what we saw and heard— God’s glory, God’s voice. The prophetic Word was confirmed to us. You’ll do well to keep focusing on it. It’s the one light you have in a dark time as you wait for daybreak and the rising of the Morning Star in your hearts. The main thing to keep in mind here is that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of private opinion. And why? Because it’s not something concocted in the human heart. Prophecy resulted when the Holy Spirit prompted men and women to speak God’s Word. – 2 Peter 1:19‭-‬21 MSG

14 = double perfection 

Season of the Spectacular – The Lord will confirm His glory and His voice. It is a season of confirmation.

What to expect:

1. We should expect intimate revelations from the Lord

• Intimate revelations are life-changing and turning point conversations with God.
• Nothing can be more spectacular than God talking to us.
• Harden not your heart.
• It is precisely in times of spiritual dryness that we must hold on to our spiritual discipline so that we can grow inyo new intimacy with God. 

2. Incredible expansions 

• Expansion is a powerful sign of life. It is a concrete indicator that change is truly taking place in our midst. 
• Expansion is our commitment and obligation because we have been given a wonderful gift of the prophetic culture.
• Expansion is all about receiving light and bringing this light to many more.
• A little bit of light pushes away a lot of darkness – Jewish proverb

Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord ! Thus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live.

Ezekiel 37:4‭-‬5 NKJV

http://bible.com/114/ezk.37.4-5.NKJV

3. Infinite provisions 

God is going to provide for people who will pursue and advance the prophetic (see v.21)

I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord .” ’ ” So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. – Ezekiel 37:6‭-‬7 NKJV
A. Flesh = money, material and concrete things that we need

B. Muscles = warm bodies

• Muscles need to be stretched, otherwise they will stiffen and atrophy 

C. Breath = the Holy Spirit, the ruach of God

• Dust + Breath of God = Living Being

The provisions of God are testaments of the identity, character and track record of God. 

Uncommon Exploits

The vision may yet be unclear.

But one thing is sure: it will be uncommon.

We won’t get bored with what God has in store when we set forth in obedience and trust.

As the hymn goes, “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey”

We can trust in His supernaturally uncommon provision, alignment and favor as we claim His supernatural vision. Come on, take that mountain, in Jesus’ name! There are no limits in His name!

Yes, God will take care of everything we need, His excessive generosity in the glory pouring from Jesus, and our Father God, that pours out into eternity. His Holy Spirit within us testifies to this. It is everlasting lovingkindness, chesed that endures forever. Amen! 

A Heart Check and Cleanse

Just as the physical heart requires maintenance and regular check-up, so do our mind and heart, where our soul takes up residence. When we become calloused, critical and thoughts of starting to view ourselves as better begin to enter our mind, it is time for a heart-check. Only our Divine Doctor who can do a supernatural xray can truly assess the well-being of our hearts and minds. And so to Him, we pray:

God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I’m an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back; I’m never out of your sight. You know everything I’m going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you’re there, then up ahead and you’re there, too— your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful— I can’t take it all in! – Psalm 139:1‭-‬6 MSG

Our hearts are known to Him; they cannot escapt His eyes. He knows the root of why we act, speak and think the way we do. Before Him, putting on false selves is a futile exercise. 

“The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful, a puzzle that no one can figure out. But I, God , search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be.” – Jeremiah 17:9‭-‬10 MSG

Thankfully our God does not only perform diagnostics, but He also supplies the medicine.

Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about; See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong— then guide me on the road to eternal life. – Psalm 139:23‭-‬24 MSG

He also gives guidelines for preventive maintenance: to seek Him and inquire of Him as our first and vital necessity.

And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father [have personal knowledge of Him, be acquainted with, and understand Him; appreciate, heed, and cherish Him] and serve Him with a blameless heart and a willing mind. For the Lord searches all hearts and minds and understands all the wanderings of the thoughts. If you seek Him [inquiring for and of Him and requiring Him as your first and vital necessity] you will find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever! – 1 Chronicles 28:9 AMPC

Thankfully, He does not leave us alone to fend for ourselves after having searched our hearts. His Holy Spirit within us reminds us that we can always draw near to the Father’s throne of grace in repentance. We can plead for the blood of Jesus and be washed by His living Word. 

And He Who searches the hearts of men knows what is in the mind of the [Holy] Spirit [what His intent is], because the Spirit intercedes and pleads [before God] in behalf of the saints according to and in harmony with God’s will. [Ps. 139:1, 2.] – Romans 8:27 AMPC

He assures us of pardon and empowers us by His grace to walk anew in the Spirit. 

And such blessed assurance there is, after a heart check and cleanse. There is a different lightness and peace of heart, making it easier to breathe even. Such lightness and peace enables us to flow in rest, with a quiet heart wholly leaning on our Lord once more. 

Indeed, we cannot be righteous by ourselves. We cannot even know the state of our hearts by ourselves and neither can we find a way out by ourselves as well. But Jesus has made a way, thank God! Only by and through Jesus are we righteous…only by His grace, so that no one can boast. This salvation is indeed blessed, wonderful…truly awesome, as our God is awesome. Praise Him whose lovingkindness and mercy endure forever!

His Throne, Not Mine

Last Saturday, when I sought a word about our Australian pivot, this is what the Lord revealed: there is a need to sort things out in my heart for the process to proceed. 

As I pondered, it was unraveled: Momentum is not the sole reason behind the delay; God in His mercy wants my heart to be ready for the transition. 

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10155360715765930&id=54641600929
There has to be a dismantling of man-made things first…He is giving me time to lay down my crowns, stop the search for my throne, and search for His. After all, there is no greater honor than to bow and kneel before His throne.
Then, these words also came as an exhortation for me. 

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1941434202736509&id=100006098435565

As we surrender and let go of the things in our hands, bow low and seek His throne, God has promises for us to claim…a promise and a warning both.

The Lord lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground. – Psalms 147:6 NKJV

He who is greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself [with haughtiness and empty pride] shall be humbled (brought low), and whoever humbles himself [whoever has a modest opinion of himself and behaves accordingly] shall be raised to honor. – Matthew 23:11‭-‬12 AMPC

Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant]. – James 4:10 AMPC

Do not be afraid of living and bowing low, for there is a promise of restoration. 

And having forsaken your throne for His, get back on track again, hope and get ready for that new beginning.