Kids church pastor, Paolo Punzalan, shares his thoughts on comparing what we have with what others have, and even ourselves with others. Sounds familiar? It’s what he calls “The Comparison Trap.” Read this fascinating insight he provides with specific examples from Robert Morris’ book.

Read more . . .

“Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise: Proverbs 30:24

coneys are creatures of little power, yet they make their home in the crags; Proverbs 30:26

This is the second in series of small things that are extremely wise. Of the 4 creatures listed in Proverbs 30 explaining the Coney seems to be the most challenging.

What could really be learned from them? Coney is an old English word for wild rabbits. And that makes it even harder to explain why they are extremely wise. Rabbits are not exactly known for their smarts rather for their cuteness.

But Solomon the author of the Proverb has observed something about this creature that made him conclude that they are deserving full status in this list of small yet extremely wise creatures.

He explains first of all that they have little power. Rabbits are often the prey of eagles, wolves and even snakes. What qualifies them in this list is the way they build their homes. They build them in the crags.

A crag is a steep or rugged cliff or rock face. Building in this kind of terrain requires wisdom. You may ask if they were so wise why won’t they build their homes in less challenging terrain. The answer is because they have little power.

Settling in open terrain makes them easier prey for their predators. Building in crags allows them to have safe dwellings that are hard to access. Needless to say that building on crags is not quite as easy or convenient. It is laborious and time consuming. But once built it becomes a safe refuge.

Here’s where discipleship relationship interfaces. Making disciples is much like building in the crags. They may be inaccessible, time consuming and labor intensive. But through little encounters with one moment at a time we can build men and women into disciples.

The kind that will not easily fall prey to the devil:
Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1Peter 5:8b

Like the Coney we need to build wisely. In this way what we build are lives that will not be easily prone to the devil’s attacks.

Welcome to the newly revamped victory.org.ph, VICTORY Philippines’ main site. Let me walk you through some of the new features available on the site, and I hope you find it useful as you live your life in victory, honoring God and making disciples.

1. Blogs

• Once a week, we’re going to feature posts from Victory’s blog-savvy leaders. Think of it like a buffet of encouragement, insight, and personal stories all in one.

2. The Local Church Directory

• We found out that the most popular page on our old website was the directory page so we decided to give it a more prominent place and made it a lot easier on the eyes.
• I actually spent my first few minutes on the site just having fun, clicking on the map and rediscovering my Philippine geography. “So that’s where Cebu is…”

3. Small Group Materials for FREE!

• Yup, you read it right. We’re posting small group materials weekly for you to use as you help others follow Jesus. I’ve heard that many people also use the materials for personal devotions, which is great. Please just don’t sell them to other people, ok? Hehehe.
• Every Tuesday afternoon starting the first week of August, you can expect a brand new small group material that will be in synch with the preaching series in Metro Manila. Between now and then, we’re making materials based on the older series available. We hope it helps you as you lead your groups.

We’ve gotten questions about whether we’ll be having podcasts on the site and the answer is “YES!” That’s one of the big features that we’re very excited to unveil in the coming months. In the meantime, here’s a link to the different Victory podcasts already available. Please do keep tuned in here for more updates as these and other features are developed and become available.

If you have comments and suggestions on how we can improve the site, do drop us an email. And on behalf of the team that works to make the site what it is, thank you for the opportunity to serve you as you continue to grow in your love for God and for the church, and in your passion to follow Jesus and help others follow Jesus.

Til the next blog,

Carlos

I recently asked a group of pastors to serve on a regional apostolic leadership team that would help oversee and expand our churches in the USA. Before accepting my invitation, some wanted to know exactly what I was asking them to do.

Since there are about a million things spiritual leaders must do, I worked hard to simplify and summarize what I was asking these leaders to do. I eventually came up with a 4 point job description for our USA regional apostolic team:

Focus
Unity
Equip
Lead

Although I never do acronym sermon outlines, I realized my four points spelled F.U.E.L.

We can build a great motor, but without FUEL, it is going nowhere.

So here’s the FUEL that spiritual leaders must provide their churches and ministries in order to move forward.

1. Focus. Seems like a no-brainer, but more often than not, leaders end up doing everything that can be done in the name of God - except their specific mission. Smart leaders keep a narrow focus on mission, vision and values - and say no to the everything else.

2. Unity. Maintaining unity is hard work, because people are basically selfish, opinionated and easily offended. But, one of the main jobs of the leader is to bring people together and to fight for relational, doctrinal and organizational unity.

3. Equip. Spiritual leadership is not about doing all the ministry all the time. Leaders are called to equip God’s people, then get out of the way. Unfortunately, most pastors spend more time ministering to people than equipping people to minister. That’s probably why many are so tired and cranky.

4. Lead. Spiritual leadership is about creating and maintaining a healthy atmosphere and culture, not about not micro-managing staff and problems. Leadership is all about example and influence, not command and control.

Narrowing the focus, maintaining unity, equipping people, creating culture - that’s the FUEL that drives high-powered churches and ministries. That’s the main job of church leaders.

PSALM 127 SPEAKS OF laboring in vain apart from God building the house Himself.

“Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.”

Psalms 127:1

But in Psalm 128, it’s amazing to see a God-centered home…

“Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways.”Psalms 128:1

“Thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD.”

Psalms 128:4

…where a man’s labor will not be in vain, instead it will be richly rewarded.

For those of us who have struggled in the area of the past, in this passage, we were given the opportunity to look forward to what’s ahead of us. We may not be able to do something about our ancestors, but at least we can do something about our descendants.

A quote from the classic ‘KungFu Panda’ movie says…

“The Past is history; the Future’s a mystery, but Today is a Gift, that’s why it is called the Present.”

Well, as we live in the present, here are the promised effects in the life of a father or a husband who have made a choice to ‘fear the Lord’ and ‘walk in His ways’ today:

PHYSICAL PROVISION

God is blessing the works of the man’s hands. There is contentment in the midst of hard work. Men, husbands, and fathers…we are called to WORK. Work is not part of the curse. Man was assigned to work (Genesis 2.15), even before the curse came (Genesis 3). Guess what? He has promised satisfaction and assured return…

“You will eat the fruit of your labor…”

(Psalm 128 2a)

SPIRITUAL PROGRESS

The ultimate area of our responsibility as husbands and fathers: to establish a progressive spiritual atmosphere in our homes.

“…happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.”

(Psalm 128.2b KJv)

Wellness and prosperity can’t just be relegated to material aspects but, overall, to the spiritual condition in a person’s life.

DOMESTIC (Home front) PRIORITY

The man of God being described here as the head and leader of the homes…

“Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house;

your sons will be like olive shoots around your table.”

Psalms 128:3

The “fruitful vine” speaks of an ‘enjoyment’, while the “olive shoots” speaks of ‘enrichment’.

An olive plant, if properly taken cared of, could possibly live for 150 years! Blessing generation after generations with its fruits.

“…and may you live to see your children’s children…”

Psalms 128:6

When we try to combine the two terms (enjoyment and enrichment), they actually depict ‘an abundant life’. Wow… ‘a wife like a fruitful vine, and sons like olive shoots’ for me is the ultimate picture of what a domestic life is all about.

So what does a home that has the taste of ‘heaven on earth’ look like?

Imagine this…

“A Home That Puts God First Can Experience An Abundant Life, In The Highest Sense.”

My former classmates, relatives and people in church for some reason have been asking me the same question, “L.a. how do you become a pastor?” So hopefully this blog answers that question?
How?

1. God called me - My childhood dream was to become the first filipino NBA player ( Lorenzo) never dreamt of being a pastor. I remember driving my car coming from a friends house, I honestly heard God tell me its time to serve Him as a pastor. I just obeyed.

2. My spiritual leaders thought is was a good idea – I didn’t want to assume I was fit to do this full time, so I did what I usually do when i’m at a crossroad, I sought counsel from my mom and other leaders. I knew I heard God, but i knew that if I heard him right he would confirm it through people

I remember that stormy night vividly, how I went to pastor steve murrell’s apartment and asked him what he thought about my situation. ( I was ok with any answer he would give, glad he said yes though)

3. Common Sense - Even before being a pastor, I loved ministering to people. I spent most of my time discipling young people. I had fruits. I enjoyed doing this more than my business, my career and yes even basketball. It was something I thought of every single day!!! It simply made sense

I guess there are a lot more reasons, but these 3 top my list. I was thinking this would help all of you who are in the point of decision. This is not just a guide for future pastors but for anyone trying to make decisions in life.

Im glad I obeyed God, Im glad i have spiritual leaders, and Im glad God gave me common sense.

Organic is the in thing now! Whether you are in the grocery or at the drugstore - organic it is! Organic rice, vegetables, herbs, spices, chicken, egg, milk, vitamins. Not only is it in but it is very expensive. Why is this so? Because organic nowadays is very rare.

How about organic Christianity? Christianity that is so pure and stripped to its essence. With so many religious practices and traditions we introduce in church, Christianity has become less and less organic. What do I mean?

Last night after doing a funeral service I spoke about this dead woman on how she has found the Lord in her last days. A Christian approached me after the message and said she was surprised to hear that her Grandmother prayed the ACCEPTANCE PRAYER. Now what in the Biblical world is ACCEPTANCE PRAYER. I just don’t get it. Saying “Jesus I received you as my PERSONAL LORD AND SAVIOR” doesn’t really add up to what the Bible is teaching. Chrisitanity becomes a formula. tsk!

How about the preacher teaching us the FORMAT OF PRAYER. ACTS - Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication. Sometimes all I need to say to God is HHHHEEELLLPPPP!!!

How about Praise and Worship? Well its now a 3-2 format or a 2-3 format. What do I mean? Its 3 fast songs and 2 slow songs. I have nothing against this. I am just driving home a point!

It gets worst in preaching. 3 ways to find joy, 6 ways to freedom. I don’t know about you but it took me more than 30 ways to find joy, 82463 ways to freedom.

Here is the point: People are looking for ORGANIC Christianity. If we as pastors and church planters try to strip Christianity into formulas it won’t work. The same way there is really no ONE FORMULA to plant a church, there is no ONE FORMULA for life with Jesus.

ORGANIC CHRISTIANITY IS RARE AND ITS THE RARITY THAT ADDS VALUE TO THE CHURCH. GO ORGANIC!