Gospel according to Bearbrandt!

Meet our newest officemate,

His owner brought him in our church without telling us his real name,

So people started giving him different names,
Our Pastor D , Ethel and the Neon peeps called him BB the bear,
Joash says Bbear could be a good name,
Charles thought of the name Papabear,
Chai called him Banns Jean,
Hermie prefers Joaquin,
And I thought “Bearbrandt” is a nice one.

Whatever name we call him, it’s the same bear we are talking about.

The same bear who has made an impact in our lives. *wink!

For us BB is…

1. An Officemate – he is not just an ordinary bear but a colleague too, he has

According to Pastor D,

“Here, BB is helping upgrade our computer system.
BB has also helped Charles bring our worship team to the next level.

I even heard the band saying that he is BEARY good in his craft.
BB has also been busy making disciples. He knows his priority according to our discipleship pastor Jayson Lo, “Even if he is busy, he takes time to BEAR the burden of the church to make disciples.”

2. A Friend- He has the trait of a good listener and never gets tired of hearing our stories and ideas.

When I’m down I would talk to him and he has never left me alone. You know where to find him. He always sits in the same chair all the time.

I think I’ve never known anyone who is as patient as BB!

3. Counselor-within his 1st week in the office, he has already impacted the life of many people.

He would give every kid a big bear hug, of course even adults too. Awww!

I think no one has given more hugs than him!

4. Teacher-It’s hard to accept that he can’t join us in the office anymore, he’ll be one of our newest Kid’s church teacher. If you want to see him, you’ll see him at our Children’s church room always ready to give everyone a big hug.

I think his owner made the best decision bringing him here in our church Victory Greenhils.

Ever since he came to our life, our life has never been the same again. (Nagbago ang buhay namin).

I found myself smiling more often. 

Just like Bearbrandt, the Gospel he reminds me that Life is not just about “to-dos”, rules, law and requirements, but it also, life is fun, life is full of joy.

1. Take life easily. Enjoy it. Learn to laugh at yourself.

2. God who loves us already even before we loved him.

3. God who is always with us, everywhere we that we go.

4. Always hears us ans listens to us (when we pray).

5. Never he will leave us nor forsake us.

6. And we can always expect a big big hug from Him.

Let’s E-hug!

See Pastor D’s blog @ http://www.dennissy.com/new-officemate/

Unfailing Love

Unfailing Love by Chris Tomlin

 

You have my heart
And I am Yours forever
You are my strength
God of grace and power

And everything You hold in Your hand
Still You make time for me
I can’t understand
Praise You God of Earth and sky
How beautiful is Your unfailing love
Unfailing love

And You never change God You remain
The Holy One
My unfailing love
Unfailing love

You are my rock
The one I hold on to
You are my song
And I sing for You

And everything You hold in Your hand
Still You make time for me
I can’t understand
Praise You God of Earth and sky
How beautiful is Your unfailing love
Unfailing love

Here I am send me.

I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: ’Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’

Then I said, ’Here am I! Send me’ —Isaiah 6:8

 

God did not direct His call to Isaiah— Isaiah overheard God saying, “. . . who will go for Us?” The call of God is not just for a select few but for everyone. Whether I hear God’s call or not depends on the condition of my ears, and exactly what I hear depends upon my spiritual attitude. “Many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14).

That is, few prove that they are the chosen ones. The chosen ones are those who have come into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ and have had their spiritual condition changed and their ears opened.

Then they hear “the voice of the Lord” continually asking, “. . . who will go for Us?” However, God doesn’t single out someone and say, “Now, you go.” He did not force His will on Isaiah. Isaiah was in the presence of God, and he overheard the call. His response, performed in complete freedom, could only be to say, “Here am I! Send me.”

Remove the thought from your mind of expecting God to come to force you or to plead with you. When our Lord called His disciples, He did it without irresistible pressure from the outside. The quiet, yet passionate, insistence of His “Follow Me” was spoken to men whose every sense was receptive (Matthew 4:19).

If we will allow the Holy Spirit to bring us face to face with God, we too will hear what Isaiah heard-”the voice of the Lord.” In perfect freedom we too will say, “Here am I! Send me.”

Amazed

Amazed

(Lincoln Brewster)

(verse 1)
You dance over me while I am unaware
You sing all around but I never hear the sound

(chorus)
Lord I’m amazed by You
Lord I’m amazed by You
Lord I’m amazed by You
And how You love me

(verse 2)
You paint the morning sky with miracles in mind
My hope will always stand
For You hold me in Your hand

(bridge)
How deep, how wide
How great is Your love for me

Get connected with God

by Christian Ongtangco

I got up earlier this morning and the first thing I did was to check who is that person who sent me an sms 6:00 in the morning.

That reminded me of the many things I needed to do for the day, So, I started writing my to-do list and several other tasks assigned to me like sending sms messages, emails etc. I was excited and but so glad to be reminded that I haven’t even prayed or read my bible.

I told myself , yes, technology can be helpful yet can be really distracting most of the time.

I use my phone to read , send and quote bible scriptures I listen to podcast of my favorite preachers, and if I want to listen again with my pastors message the previous sunday also listen to audio bible and worship songs while walking on my way to work.

But then, with all the technology surrounding us, we can hear thousands of messages every day. And that’s where the term continuos partial attention was coined to describe the constant distractions of email, instant messaging, cellphone, and other devices. and this means continuously we’re paying partial attention.

We all want to connect and be connected. That’s what Social media are here for. We want to effectively scan for opportunity and optimize for the best opportunities, activities, and contacts, in any given moment.

Too often we value all received messages equally. in God’s word, though is more precious and valuable than any other messages sent to us. The psalmist describes the God’s message as “pure words” that are like silver processed “seven times” in the furnace. The number seven signifies completion and perfection throughout the Scriptures. although 8 means infinity in Chinese. Otherwise, This means, God’s word is absolutely perfect and in alignment with the character of God. It is the supreme measure of truth, and it imparts light and life to those who treasure it.

Have you been in this same situation?

When we read and hear God’s word, let’s sit up and take notice. If we don’t understand it, we need to dig deeper until we find out what it means, or it relevance in our “everyday life”.

Let’s be encouraged to ask if we don’t understand. And when God uses His word to redirect our steps, we are to say, ” Yes, Lord. I’m listening.” God’s word directs us along God’s path, and that way is perfect for us each day.

To know the will of God is the greatest knowledge, to do the will of God is the greatest achievement.”

Come to Jesus

Wanna share this beautiful song “Come to Jesus” by Planetshakers.

Come to Jesus, He is everything you seek. Run into his arms, no matter what you’ve done.

Verse 1:
Nothing can separate you from His love
No sin or any other thing
You are called,for a such time as this
So turn to God don’t turn away

Pre-Chorus:
Just run into His arms
No matter what you’ve done
Just look into his eyes
And see the loving grace of God

Chorus:
Come to Jesus,He is everything you need
Just turn to Jesus,He is everything you seek
Just come to Jesus,he is everything you need,
More than the air you breathe today

Verse 2:
There’s a voice it’s calling out to you
So open your ears and hear
There’s a destiny that waits for you
So now’s the time to make your move

Bridge:
I will run into Your arms

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Top ten myths about Prayer

From articlesbase.com

 

 

Prayer is difficult. Surely God doesn’t listen to me.I really don’t know how to pray. These nagging questions are simply myths about prayer.

 

 

 



1. It’s hard to pray. 


That’s what is so much fun about a myth. It’s easy to show the truth through it. Praying is easy. Like anything else, if you want to do it really well, okay, that will take a little time. But, think of all the prayers that will be answered on your way to getting good at it. Whew. Also, and this is no myth, life is much harder “to do” when you don’t pray.



2. I am not worthy.

Here is why knowing the Bible is so important. God says that WHOSOEVER comes to Him shall be saved. He will hear your prayer. The enemy of your soul is the only one that doesn’t want you to think you are worthy. You are so worthy that God sent Jesus to die for your sins. 

The Bible also says that no greater love hath a man for a brother than to give up his life for him. Sound familiar. No greater love does God show for you than the fact that he gave Jesus to die for you so you could spend eternity with God. Oh yes, you are worthy.

3. God doesn’t listen to me. 


God not only listens to you he hears you. This, of course is what makes so many people nervous. Why do we say God doesn’t listen to us but then get afraid that God is hearing what we are saying? God answers all prayers. 

What you will learn as you pray and grow in your praying is that God answers the prayers the way He knows is best for us. Ouch. What you will also find is that you will marvel at what God knew about you when He chooses to answer a prayer with a “no”. We’re not in half as much trouble as if He would have said, “Yeah, fine go ahead.”
4. Prayer won’t work.
Journals of individuals of every race and language are filled with how God answered their prayers. Person after person after person. I mentioned before that prayers aren’t always answered the way we want them to be at this instant. They are answered better than that.

The more you pray the more you will experience that. What you will also find is that you will learn and experience real peace. You will find that real peace is something that God gives us in-spite of our circumstances not because of our circumstances. And, the bottom line? You will find that prayer mixed with your actions will work much better than not praying at all.

5. I don’t know how to pray.
Well, for starters, if you just really truly mean what you are praying, you are doing it right. And, there is even software out there to help you pray and enjoy it at the same time.

6. I don’ have time to pray.
There is an old saying that goes: we don’t have time to do it right the first time but we always have time to do it right the second time. It’s the same with prayer. We don’t have time to do it until we’ve blown it and then suddenly there is time to pray and pray hard which could have helped us not blow it in the first place.

7. I have to be in a church to pray.
To pray? Church is a nice place to pray and we can learn how to pray even better there. But, if you follow Jesus’ way, his most effective prayers were done “on the road” – that’s where the blind gained their sight, the lame their strength and where He raised the dead.

8. God doesn’t have time for my prayers.
Who told you that? Remember, there is an enemy of our souls and that enemy wants to do whatever it takes to discourage you from doing what would help you. God never said or wrote at any time that He doesn’t have time for our prayers.

He did say He knows when a sparrow falls and that the hairs on our head are numbered. If God has the time to count the hairs on our head, He has time to listen to what you have to say or ask.

God is so much bigger than you can imagine. Don’t limit God by comparing Him to even the biggest smartest nicest person you know. God is a spirit and we worship Him in Spirit and in truth. He is what the church world calls Omnipresent. That means He is everywhere at once. Cool.

9. Prayer is for other people.
Yes, it’s ALSO for other people. That’s why God is so big. He has all these people He listens to and helps through life. So, He is not only for you but also for other people.

10. I don’t know what to pray
Maybe what you are saying is I don’t know how to pray really well. Let’s be honest – Jesus said, “whoever calls on my name I will answer.” Well, if you called on Jesus’ name and He answered you – Hmm I think that must have been a prayer. Bingo, you got it. That’s where you start.

Now get on with the program and START praying. The more you pray the better you will get at it and the more powerful you will feel about your prayers and your place in this world.

Happy New You! Happy New Me!

Happy New Year and Happy New You and Me!

This is the time when a lot of people start writing plans, goals, dreams, resolutions, faith goals and stuff. I would like to share my personal prayer and devotion to you through this blog post for the this first day of this year.

This new year I pray for a new me, May the lord will keep on making me new in every areas of my life.

Bible says ” Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:The old has gone, the new is here! “- 2 Corinthians 5:17

He doesn’t mend, repair, fix or patch us up. He completely remakes us New on the inside.

And once we let go and let God be the Lord of our lives, the one who seats on throne of our hearts. We are actually letting him do his process of sanctification in our lives.

And don’t be surprised to see how God will cause your confidence in your own strength, will power, capabilities virtues and power wither away. You’ll find out how small and weak you really are apart from him. You’ll realize how lifeless our “old lives” was when we don’t have him yet. That apart from from Him we are really nothing.

Sad thing is that a lot of us still miss this, they still adhere to their old selves. and settle for less. They are already satisfied with their lives.

Let me quote  Oswald Chambers when he said, “We want to cling to our natural virtues while all the time God is trying to get us in contact with the life of Jesus Christ.”

This means its not just our character, quality, attribute, virtue, morality or some part of us that the Lord changes in us, God promised us not half nor partial, It is our WHOLE being which He promised to change as we allow him.

Ephesians 4:24 says “to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. “

He doesn’t just upgrade us nor transforms us to be better but rather, God changes us and makes us anew.

Because our natural virtues, could never even come close to what Jesus Christ wants. No natural love, no natural patience, no natural purity can ever come up to His demands. Apart from him, our efforts are really like filthy rags ….but nothing in his sight.

But as we bring every part of our lives into harmony with the new life that God has placed within us. Yes, it may not be instantaneously or overnight but as we keep allowing His hands to mold us, he will start showing the characteristics, the image and virtues of His son, our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.

May they see Jesus IN and through our lives.

Lord this is my prayer, this is our prayer, that every hour, day, week , month, and year you keep making us new. In Jesus name we pray, Amen!

Send some love this CHRISTmas

by Joash Paunil

As of today, 1,080 people have been reported dead and about 1,079 are still missing!

How can we help and be a part of the current relief and restoration operations?

Right Start, a foundation we are supporting in Victory Greenhills, will be doing Relief Operations at CDO next week to help those who were badly affected by the Storm.

THEY ARE CURRENTLY ACCEPTING DONATIONS:

Bank of Philippine Islands account under RIGHT START COMMUNITY DEV’T INC. – Account Number: 004021-0129-42

Banco De Oro: account under RIGHT START COMMUNITY DEV’T INC. — Account Number: 2030132221

DOLLAR ACCOUNT: Banco de Oro under account name: Right Start Community Dev’t Inc. account number: 102030129115

Let’s send some love and support to our fellow Filipinos in every way possible!

¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

-Galatians 6:10

We are here … CHRISTmas!