Category: Christian Living

I got this question via text message tonight: What’s a Kids Church?

In Victory, Kids Church is a “main” ministry. It’s not a side issue, it’s not an afterthought, it’s not to a place to entertain kids while their parents are having church and it’s certainly not a glorified baby sitting service.

In the School of Church Planting, we are taught not to start regular church services (in a new church plant) until we have a decent Kids Church. I was a bit surprised when I heard this. I thought Kids Church is just one smart way to rid the church aisles of screaming children.

Continue reading What’s a Kids Church?

[5] One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. [6] When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” [7] The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” —John 5: 5-7

This is probably one of the saddest passages in the Bible. A man has been paralyzed for 38 years and he was hoping to be miraculously healed in the pool of Bethesda. According to some Bible manuscripts, “from time to time an angel of the Lord would come down and stir up the waters. The first one into the pool after each such disturbance would be cured of whatever disease he had.”

The problem was that there was no one to throw him to the pool when the water is stirred. The guy was there for 38 years and he never even made any friends, not even some who simply had to push him to the edge and probably watch him drown.

Contrast this with the paralytic who was carried through the roof by four of his friends just so he could get near Jesus. These four guys must have cared a lot for this sick man that they were willing to get arrested for destroying private property in order for their friend to be prayed over by the Master. Mark 2: 2-4 tells the story:

“And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. [3] And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. [4] And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay.”

Both people could not walk, they both needed other people to take care of them. Their only difference is that one had close friends, the other, zero.

We don’t need anybody to tell us the moral of these stories.

Morning Bible Reading from Proverbs 16.

Pro. 16.1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. –This could be the reason why there are times when you end up saying things you didn’t plan to say.

Pro. 16.2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit. –You thought you were right, but it’s not your opinion that should measure the rightness or wrongness of your actions. It’s the Word of God.

Pro. 16.5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished. –Stop worrying about arrogant people, the Lord is the one who will deal with them. On the flip side, don’t be arrogant, the Lord is a just God, he will punish arrogant people.

Pro. 16.7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. –Instead of trying to please people who are at odds with you, focus on pleasing God by living right. The Lord will find a way to reconcile you to them.

Pro. 16.12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness. –A leader’s position is given by God and is established by His righteousness. Leaders, use your platform to do right. God placed you in that position, umayos ka!

Pro. 16.18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. –Babagsak din ang mga mayayabang kaya tigilan mo na ang pagyayabang.

Pro. 16.22 Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly. –Don’t listen to the advise of fools. (Cebuano: Buang lang ang maminaw sa tambag sa buang!)

Pro. 16.27 A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. –Worthless people use inflammatory language.

Pro. 16.31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life. –Make sure that you age in grace, that when you’re old, you have something glorious to look back to. Most people are unhappy about their choices in the past. When they look back to their younger years, they are consumed with regret over chances and opportunities tha are forever gone.

Pro. 16.32 Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. –Levelheadedness is power.

a.) Received a surprise prophecy at the morning prayer session. I didn’t see that one coming. Thank God for prophetic gifts in our midst.

b.) Joined the Metro Manila Monthly Staff Meeting for the first time. The atmosphere was exhilarating. Pastor Joel Barrios’ worship was so powerful; Pastor Manny Carlos’ exhortation from Matthew 13: 44-46 was more than a full spiritual meal; reports from all over Every Nation Ministries inspired faith and worship. Glad to see full time missionaries in person- those who are on vacation and those who are being sent out. I introduced myself to Ms Mary Malinao who just got back from Dubai. We both came from the same home town, Ormoc City.

c.) Laughed and cried at Pastor Jun Escosar’s retelling of Victory stories. As a newcomer, I am not really that familiar with the stories of how Victory started. Pastor Jun’s stories inspired faith and awe. Pastor Joseph Bonifacio was right, whenever Pastor Jun gives a lecture, you wouldn’t need coffee to stay awake. His passion (and the sheer volume of his voice) is a natural caffiene.

d.) Overwhelmed at the joint sessions of four Every Nation Schools: World Missions, Church Planting, Local Church Ministry and Campus Ministry. Seeing a roomful of world changers is a real spiritual boost. As I often say, I deeply admire church planters and full time missionaries for their courage to be in the frontline of our ministries.

e.) One big idea: I’m in a company of great men and women of God. I have a room to grow here and I am grateful at the kind of discipleship culture our leaders built.