Reflection # 12

The life story of Billy Graham is one of the best personal histories that Christians must know to learn more about Christ in his life. I have learned of his diligence in reading God's Word continually and consistently before he share the Word of God. The life of Billy touches a believer's life as Christians reads his autobiography because his prayer life and devotional time was uplifting and inspiring. The life of David Livingstone influenced me greatly. I have learned of his studying thoroughly and extensively to master his profession and passions in serving God. He reads and understands it. I was blessed and reap a lesson to learn.

Billy's personal devotional life involved praying alone daily with the Bible and spending time with God intimately which benefits me by knowing the importance and significance in studying God's Word. My priority should not be about how I work for the Lord but to enjoy my relationship with God daily and to nurture my spiritual being. God's provision in the life of David as he share the Gospel is always ready and sure. I must do the will of God by being faithful in the ministry that God has entrusted to me. God is without failure in providing David's daily needs and so do I.I should never expect someone's help but God alone as He will kept His promises.

There are steps that will take in order to put these passages in my own personal life. In my devotional and plea it should be classified by appealing with selfless prayer, vigilance, preciseness and humility.

This illustrates me that I should not only pray for my own needs but for everyone in a wholistic way.

I should depend on no one else but God alone for He will provide at the right time. Every problem that I will encounter in life I should lift up in prayer because God always gave opportune answers. In facing trials of faith, God is always sufficient and more than enough. I should never be dismayed, frustrated or lose heart even in the midst of my greatest difficulties.

Their lives leave marks in my life. I realized the importance of prayer that do not limit God's power. I came to understand that in my own personal prayer I should pray specifically and pray beyond the resources that He has given me. It is like stepping out and praying for the impossible and for something beyond human's ability. They influenced me greatly about their faith in God and I came to a realization and a motivation to pray with faith like them. I came to understand that faith is all about believing God – that He is powerful, that He is the God of possibilities and can do what He wills and so there is nothing to fear about. I am serving the same God as they so He can also do the same as long as I have faith and believe that in every circumstances nothing happens by accident. In every difficulties in life, I have learned not to give up immediately even in the last minute because God is the God of miracles and is full of wonders. 

Reflection # 11

            Church history is one of the subject that a student should not missed. In the lectures, videos reports builds me an interest to learn more about the history of the church. This week, I have learned that being a missionary is not really easy. It involves risking ones lives for the glorification of God. I was really amazed of what I have learned this week. I was shocked that they had done that much for the sake of the Gospel. Being a missionary simply means to die because it is dedication in which I live for God alone and I no longer owe my life. Another lesson I have learned is to live a life in accordance of God's Word. It is being a genuine Christian which walk what I knew of the Gospel I shared.

A true believer in Christ is to be able to say no to temptation

            I need to do something that involves sacrifices and sufferings in order to reach out people and to lead them to Christ. I am student and wanted also to be a missionary someday. Now that I know these things, these information I would someday imitate those people especially like Leonard Duber, to follow his examples of being a missionary. Following Christ is costly. It is leaving my comfort zone and do the will of God. Part of it is to dedicate and to surrender my life to Jesus with a heart that is humble in my inner being. In living a life that is pleasing to the Lord is to live life that has legacy and a testimony to share especially to the people that surrounds me. A testimony in which Jesus is seen in my life.

            I am bought at a price because of what Christ did on the cross and now my life is for God. In order to practice these positive changes I should serve God with my whole being not just a part of me. I will pray that God would used me and empower me. In serving God, I should pray to the Holy Spirit that He will enables me to be an efficient and effective minister of Christ. It is using the gifts and potentials that He has given for His glory and for the ministry that He has entrusted to me. I exist to serve God not to be serve. Life is beautiful because it is colored by God who created me. Whatever circumstances that I might encounter in life I must continue to give praise to God. It is a respond of God's faithfulness in my life. I should walk what is right in the sight of God. It is obeying God's command and live a life that influence other people.

           As a servant of Christ I must be reminded that in everything I do,  I should acknowledge God who gives and satisfies my every need. In ministry accomplishes only God should receive the credit. Glory and honor belongs to God alone. God knows my future and He is the One who secures my life. I must be dependent of the provision of God and be contented of what He has given. Not to complain nor murmuring about the things that are happenings but instead thanking Him of what He does for me.

Reflection # 10

             There are lots of factors of Christians diversity in denominations. Some of us has brown skin and white skin. We may not lived in the same place but we believers in Christ are called Christians. We are all baptized in the Name of Christ. In this course of study, I have learned that whatever the name of Christians denominations, believers are united in spirituality. The fact that we believe in the same God,we believe what is written in the Bible and so forth. We are not separate individuals, but rather connected parts as a body of Christ. Another lesson I've learned is that effectiveness of the ministry practices the essence of love. The value of love can change the person's perspective in which it can learned by everyone who is watching my life.
            Christians are part of of Christ regardless of the cultural, ethnic, social, and ethnic differences. The conversion makes me a living member of Christ. The Bible says that as a person who is saved must dwell one another and devoting oneself for an intimate relationship with each other. I think I need to make some actions that will make my co believers in Christ united in heart as the one who professed Jesus as Savior. In pursuing spiritual unity in believers it includes Bible study that study the true and living God. In assessing my life of practicing love it includes the things that I have shared to people. This means I must live for the Gospel I have shared. I must rescue those who are perishing because there are still many people who are dying every seconds, people who are forsaken and people who are abandon. It also involves in influencing others about the wonders of God's Word and the amazing love of God that lavished on us.
             In order to practice unity, one fundamental factor that must do is prayer. There should be a lot of strategies in order to be more united as follower of Christ. This is because a true believer must group together, having fellowship with one another and spiritual matter is tackled about. Even afar from each other but we receive the same salvation, we believes in one God, one faith and one Spirit, and one mind in following Christ example and obeying His commands. In loving people it must be showed through actions which includes feeding the hungry, loved the unlovable, care for the not cared. There are still may people outside who are full of lost and suffering from the pain so as believer I must do something that would make a difference in this life and this would ease one's pain or helping them into their needs.

               Believers are to strive unity among ourselves in all things. It is to be like minded with Christ which renew ourselves. We should be motivated to aspire mutual harmony and love for one another in accordance of the will of God. God will surely work to His people in which it would bring glory to His Name. In having spiritual unity and practice love, prayer and patience must be included so that the seed of the Word of God reflects through our actions.

Reflection # 9

              In the discussion this week, I was amazed the works of the Christians before who help causing the widespread of the Gospel. It is an inspiring and a privilege of knowing them and tackle about what they had done because it models me to do something in order to make a difference in church history. The first lesson I've learned is to be found faithful as a servant of Jesus Christ. I'm glad that I am educated in the life of Jacob Arminius as a faithful Pastor. I am bless how this person contributed and fight for His right. More than that, he aimed to be a trustworthy of his work for the Lord. Another lesson I've learned is to give importance in a missionary work. It is a blessing that we study the life of Jonathan Edward who himself sacrifice a lot of things in order to made known the Name of Jesus. He sees the necessity for the expansion of God's kingdom so that Christ will be glorified.

             The insights that I gained of the lesson I have learned motivated me to used the talents and gifts that He has given that would make me channel of blessing. It spurs me that a faithful servant will not retire of the ministry He has given in as much as I can. It is to give honor to God of whatever I will be doing and living in a hope that God will be honored of what I did for Him. This is my prayer that whatever life may bring forth I will not quit of exalting and serving His Name. I should give my willingness and availability for the Lord' work and to give my very best as God has given the best of me. I should do something that will last and that is hunger in winning souls knowing the fact as well that there are many people who are perishing or dying every second without knowing the truth. There is surely a need for the Gospel.

            In applying these lesson I need to remember that whatever I do, I should do it all for the glory of God by being faithful servant of Him. It is to respond God's faithfulness by being a loyal servant. I should not make myself a stumbling block but as an example that will make other people blessed because of my life. As a leader in a church and as a teacher someday I must prioritize God's first. It is being busy to the King and next to the Kingdom of God. It should be my goal that I will help spreading the Gospel. It is to help people especially in their difficult situations. By doing this I believe that God will be pleased. With myself I must be passionate of the work that God has given to me and be able to show compassion or having a Christlike character. It is doing the purpose of God in my life that would make my life a dedication to God alone.

             A faithful servant should look and depend on God with a humble heart. I am just an instrument and all the successes belongs to Him alone. In doing the business of God, I should work with an upright heart and to do all the good as possibly as I can. I must continue to hold on of the promises of God that would help me strive and be persistent of the things God has entrusted under my care. By the grace of God I can do what He wants me to do, not by my own strength but by the power of God. I need to be faithful in everything even if it is small. It is doing my all in all for the Lord. The very purpose why I am still alive is to glorify God by serving Him in many ways I can.

Reflection # 8

                  Autobiographies, biographies and their contributions of these great people to church history help me understand their different perspective but somehow it gives a lesson to learn. A lesson that are rightful and great that will make me a better person. People in the past imparted their knowledge that gives me beneficial and encouragement to value education. This week I have learned the vitality of education. These great people studied hard and work hard in order to shared what they had learned and to pass it on for the next generation. I do really appreciate their effort which aspires me to hunger for knowledge. An information for me to apply and to fight for what I believe according to the Scripture. Another lesson I've learned is to exercise the authority of being a leader. These people follow their conviction as what they think is right and leading people of who they are.


               Since the importance of education is very essential for me and for everyone else I think I need to study more and continue to strive for the best that I can give and do for God. This made me think that through education it enlarge my point of view of myself and towards other people. Education will helps me respect other people's opinion and inspires me to aim for a higher standard of education. This will give me more development in my educational life. Leadership is a service to other people. As a Christian leader and/or minister of Christ I'd like to empower other people and to make a difference in other people. It is to lead people especially in the ministry in which God has entrusted to me now to be humble enough to accept mistakes and to be corrected and rebukes by other people.


              In order to put these positive changes in my life I should not become a boss because a true leader shows the way . Leadership is a matter of example and action, its not about the title. As a servant of Jesus Christ, a good leader is inspiring other people to dream more and exercising the character of a leader. To the people of God in the church I will set myself as an genuine and honest leader which sets an example to them, support of what they are doing for the Lord and encouraging them to be a better person. Regarding education, it is educating people not from the head but to the heart of the people. What matters most is imparting of what I attained for and to help people who are less in valuing education. Knowing the fact that in education no one can take away from me so I must continue to thirst to attain and to acquire more information or knowledge that will make me a better person. As a student I will love learning that will will help develop more my educational career in life.

              This week, we've discuss about the life of the people who made a great influence to us today. They made a lot of things to be remembered and by what they did, we have learned a lesson. In knowing of their contributions and the circumstances they've encountered I've learned a lot from their lives. For one thing, I've learned that if I wants to devote myself to God I need to sacrifice something or someone. In the service of the King it involves a lot of things. Another lesson I've learned is to continue to serve God even if it is a means of abandonment and rejections from the people I love for the sake of my faith. I realized how striking it was before. It really struck me how they where abandoned, perplexed, despair and crushed for the sake of the Gospel. I like their spirit of being so courageous that even their own family disowned them as a Christian.

               I was encourage as a believer to never give up and will not quit or even recant my faith when the enemy strikes me through persecutions. I remember someone has told me that following to the will of God is costly. Though serving God is not really easy because as the Bible says there's a lot of persecutions but it reminds me the security of the promises of God for me. Also it reminds me the things He did that enables me to be part of His kingdom. The way I think aspires me to continue to do something that is worthy of His calling and to do something that reflect His character. So whenever people or a particular person that would mocked me for the sake of my faith in Christ I will not let it be the reason to stop me form obeying God's commands. In my devotion to God I will continue to do something that would make a difference in people's lives and to continue to acknowledge God.

             In order to apply this in my life into practice I will dedicate myself as much as I can, and as much as I can do to the work that He has entrusted to me. Like the life of the people we have discuss, I will continue to complete the work I have began. I believe that my labor in the Lord is not in vain. In serving Him is through serving others so that the name of Christ be made known unto them. They are still many people who need God and I will serve Him that made an impact by standing firm for what is right. It is living a life that is worth living for. The purpose and reason why I am still alive is that God wants me to care about the people I am ministering to. Another positive changes is to be more devoted to God by means of prayer which builds an intimate relationship between me and God. Communicating to God is a way of thinking that there is no other person but me and God alone which helps me develop my prayer life.

              Being a blessing to the people I've been with is making myself a role model and inspiration to the people. Whatever I do in life, it will serve as a reminders that it is an spiritual act of worship and God loves  those people who seek and do His will as He pleases. According to Rick Warren “ a faithful servant never retire. You(I) can retire with my career, but never will retire from serving God”. By this statement I hope with myself to become loyal to Him no matter what it takes. As I go on in the process of shaping my life I will minister people as a servant for Christ' sake.

Reflection # 6

        I really can't believe during the time of reformation movement that caused many people dying and were killed brutally just to gain power and their other motives. Last Wednesday in the discussion it gives me a clear understanding and be able to think deeply and ask myself, “what if this situation will happen again in my time, what should I do as a christian?” I've learned that truly nothing happens by accident but everything occurs for a purpose. God allowed it to happen for us to learn and to be open minded that we are Christ ambassadors and we are to conquer for greater is He that is in us, we are not a loser. It hurts me because they don't even mind how many people they killed that was not supposed to do by their own hands. Another lesson I've learned that is that only God can judged and punished people though it is very hurtful to know what happen during that time. God is so merciful that He don't struck those people who touch lives of His people but rather He gives grace. Still God is the One who in control of everything even in a worst situation.

        Upon knowing this history in the church I am encourage to study more about the history and to know more about the facts in Christianity so that I can share it with my fellow believers who does not know these information. It motivates me to do something and to pray for those people who are demonstrating love of God courageously. It strengthens my faith and inspires me to be ready and be able to help believers who are not grounded well by the truths. I was reminded that "Do not repay anyone evil for evil" (Romans 12:17)  and "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath"  (Romans 12:19) but instead be good and compassionate that these people need the Lord. As a believer I should continue to proclaim the love of God even in risking my life.

        It inspires me to be more understanding and must have the attitude of forgiving to those people who did something to me or to my love ones. I need to trust God everyday of my journey in life in my ups and down times. It cheer me to read God's word in order to have an intimate relationship with the Father so that when circumstances strikes me I will not be easily fall but rather get up and kneel down on my knees to exercise my reliance to God and apply principles for living. I should have a right thinking in a broken world. I will continue to focus on God though life's storms may hit me but I must continue to surrender everything to God even my life.