Unspoken Words A woman… We take on roles and responsibilities for the people we love. We give ourselves selflessly. All out. For the things that we value. For the people that we love. For the principles that we care for. … Continue reading
I am a wife, a mom, business owner of a digital agency that trains freelancers and provides business owners virtual assistances to boost their business success. I train, coach, disciple. These all on top of managing family and hope. I … Continue reading
Religion has Twisted the Holy Week Holy Week is a time where the whole Christian world commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a good and vital week of remembrance because it this is the very milestone … Continue reading
Is Minority a Disease? We have stayed in Metro Manila countless of times but it’s mostly just a “hello-goodbye” type. We would stay a day or two to catch up with friends and relatives coming from an international trip. Come … Continue reading
Philippines President Favors Same Sex Marriage? The President of the Philippines, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte recently showed support to #samesexmarriage in the Philippines. This is what he expressed few days ago at the 7th LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) … Continue reading
“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message (word) of wisdom, to another the message (word) of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits (discernment), to another the ability to speak in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He gives them to each man, just as He determines.” – 1 Corinthians 12:7
I was reading this passage this morning and I was taken back to my revival experience during my childhood.
Thirty plus years ago, my parents were Pastors of a little Assemblies of God church in Lapaz, Bayabas, Surigao del Sur and all of these works of the Holy Ghost were present in that small congregation.
When my parents took over, the church had a lot of issues. Many lived in hurt. No one wanted to go back to church even after they talked to many of them and discussed about healing and reconciliation. It was a very difficult start. On top of that, my dad got sick with hepatitis B and it made it impossible to see God restore this house.
But instead of giving up, my parents sought God deeper. My dad prayed and fasted for weeks. Intercessors pray almost all day everyday. And after a few months, we started seeing God move.
The church grew little by little each month. People were united and generous. The appetite for evangelism and discipleship grew that church members weren’t told to do it nor an event was organized, it was out of people’s burning hearts for the lost and genuine compassion. There was an amazing awareness of God and His favor was upon His people.
One special memory I had was when God came down in a cloud one Sunday morning and touched as all. Adults and kids alike. I was 8 years old, but I was still recall everything that time vividly. It was the first time that God became very personal to me. He wasn’t the God in the Bible stories my mom told me about anymore. He was tangible and real that He came into my heart and become my Lord and Savior.
This is why no matter how any times I was confronted with the modern gospel brining the idea that His move is not anymore present today because it was left with the first disciples, it doesn’t hold true in my heart. Because I have personally seen him moved. I am a witness of His power and reality. 1 Corinthians 12:7 wasn’t just a dead scroll to me. I have seen it alive and active changing lives and bring people closer to the heart of God.
Thirty years after however, His move started to diminish… The church is more “self-gratifying” than “God-glorifying”. It was more about the self and not about His Lordship. And yes, I believe in emotional healing, etc. But I also wonder why church history doesn’t record much of this associated with revival. It was always seeking God wholeheartedly that led them to His supernatural takeovers that changed the world.
Can this be the reason why we rarely see 1 Corinthians 12:7 at work today? Like come to think of it, can you name one church at the top of your mind right now that’s moving in these gifts? Bethel Church is one for me. But how about here in the Philippines? Can you give one? A church that prophesying, healing, working in miraculous powers, tongues and interpretation, words of wisdom and knowledge, and spirit of discernment? Where is it? Why do we RARELY see these today?
Is it because we are more “self-gratifying” than “God-glorifying”?
What a dreadful generation we have become! We gather in His name but do we really what Him there? Has church become more of a duty than a delight? If these aren’t true then why aren’t we seeing the Holy Spirit at work in our midst today? Fruits tell our roots right? Thus where are the prophesying, healing, working in miraculous powers, tongues and interpretation, words of wisdom and knowledge, and spirit of discernment?
Can you lead me to one in your city?
The Jesus Revolution In October 27, 2001, more than a month after the catastrophic 9/11 terrorism attack, the Philippines received a seed. It was a prophetic word from Cindy Jacobs given to Pastors Jerome and Annabelle Ocampo. This is the prophecy … Continue reading
I am realizing that the reason why I was solemn and down for weeks when I was Face to Face with Depression is because all the things that I learned and experienced before is not working right now. You see I grew up in a Christian home. My parents raised me in a Pentecostal environment. Healing and miracles were a part of my daily life.
I lived a compromised (in short sinful) life during my high school and college days but when I finally surrendered my whole life to God when I was 23 years old, there was no turning back. I pursued healing and I have seen almost all types of healing and miracles under the sun. May it be through me or through other His Mission family members.
For the past 35 years of life, I seen and can prove that the Bible is alive and nothing is impossible through the Blood of the Lamb. I have personally witness His reality. I studied and stay in Germany for 7 months without spending any from my own pocket. I personally heard His audible voice. He gave us twins even if we don’t have any genetic history. Every season of my life, He has proven His power.
Until my Husband got sick…
I thought I had it all figured out.
That I just need to pray and fast. That I just need to confess. That I just need to believe. That I just need to declare. I just need to speak forth His word. I just need to be grateful and testify…
These are all proven methods. Even the Generals do this. I have studied their lives. I have watched their videos, listened to their podcasts and wrote all healing and miracle scripture verses.
But nothing happened…
Yes we would have breakthrough here and there but the main issue is still there. One day, it’s all good then all of a sudden, it’ll crash. We have been in this for 4 months now. We are so desperate of His move, but it seems like He’s far.
He did not completely left us because His provision through other people is there. But how about the healing we’ve seen before? Where is the miracle that we daringly need? We have seen it all before, where it is now?
There are even times when we feel like we’re in our little tribulation moments. That His grace is lifted. That we feel alone. That we feel like He’s not there despite our frantic cries. That we are left with our choice to still believe despite the lost of emotions and what’s tangible.
I guess real faith is not really based on anything in your experience, learning nor feelings but solely holding on to His words believing that He is always good no matter what.
A seed needs to completely die before it can live a new. I am understanding that God is taking us deeper. He is revealing Himself a new. We may have been blind-folded with the past experiences that we put Him in a box. He needs to break the old wineskin so He can pour out new oil.
I have no doubt that my husband will live. Untimely death is just against His nature and heart. We still believe in healing and miracle. We still believe in this God that we serve. We still believe in Jesus!
But the how and when is something we don’t have any idea. God is taking us in this new wave of obedience, That we believe no matter what the situation is.
Because He is never an “I was” or an “I will”. He is the “I am” (present tense). Everyday is an adventure where He leads and we obey in love.
Excited what this adventure unfold…
A People Destined to His Glory There’s no doubt that revival and reformation is coming to the Philippines. It is our call and destiny. It is an inheritance that was imprinted in our race from the beginning of time. It … Continue reading
For a century, she was battered and wounded.
She cried.
Longed for love.
Confused of her identity.
Her children slaved all over the world.
Her home broken in every aspect.
Duterte happened and there’s a sense of hope.
Change is here.
Transformation can be at hand.
Her children can rest.
There is restoration!
There is reformation.
Is this a born again experience?
Can the Pearl shine bright again?
Is this the time for her calling?
Is this the time for destiny?
Whatever it maybe,
Nothing is impossible when we pray.
“Who hath heard such a thing? Who hath seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? Shall a nation be brought forth at once? For as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.” – Isaiah 66:8 (ASV)
