Author: Jojo Agot

Pastor at Victory. Faculty and adviser at Every Nation Leadership Institute (ENLI). MA in Theology and Mission at Every Nation Seminary.

Of Being a Lousy Interpreter

I once tried interpreting for American missionaries who were doing a series of crusades in the Visayas some years ago. I thought it was an easy job. Little did I realize that there were so many English words that do not have local equivalents. Many times I interrupted the preacher so I could properly explain what he was actually saying. Everything was not going very well. After a few interruptions, my pastor got up, whispered in my ear and told me to quit explaining and just get on with word for word interpretation.

I eventually did. But after the crusade, I was left wondering how much truth was lost because both Cebuano and Waray-waray dialects lack words that were supposed to unveil more of God’s word.

Thankfully, our preaching of the word of God is not limited to verbal communication. We may lack the ability to use the right word at the right time but our actions can very well compensate for our linguistic deficiencies. Love and compassion are non-verbal languages that can be communicated even without the aid of high sounding words and polished grammar.

Unfortunately, so is a frown or a look of disgust.

Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. 1 John 3: 18.

What Drains You

The real difference between introverts and extroverts is in what energizes them. Ask yourself this question, “Where do you get your energy: by being alone or by being with others?” Or conversely, “What drains you: being alone or being with others?”

—Michael Hyatt

Build Up, Build Up

Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people. –Isaiah 57: 14

Make it easy for people to come to the Lord. Remove every obstruction. Take away all the stumblingblocks. Pave the way for people to come in. Don’t let your practices and common habits stand in the way. The return of God’s people should be anticipated and celebrated.

Open up your cliques. Open wide your hearts to receive more into your circles. Do not limit your heart to the few friends you’ve got. Don’t close up your group just because you feel like your intimacy is threatened. The family of God is big, wide, ever-increasing.

Stop looking at your petty concerns when you could be looking at the vast possibilities ahead. Why would you settle for a few droplets when the floodgates are at your disposal? Why settle for meager joys and meager results when you were wired to do greater exploits?

As we stand on the edge of breakthrough at Victory Caloocan, I challenge you to take a ride with the waves of God’s glory. Don’t be left behind when many of us are taking hold of this destiny that God has prepared for us as a corporate body and as individuals.

Build with us. Rally yourself behind the corporate vision God has entrusted to our movement. Tether your life to the greater mandate of Jesus to go and make disciples, to change the destiny of nations and make a difference in your sphere of influence. Your life is meant for greater things. Our time has come. Our time is here. Our time is now.