halo-halo espesyal

Yesterday, two souls were baptized in the Agusan River. Lyn and Rejean accepted the Lordship of Jesus Christ through baptism. After understanding and acknowledging our Savior Jesus Christ they finally decided to be baptized. May the good Lord bless them as they live the life of Christianity. May they be blessed spiritually and mature in the faith.

After the baptism a brother and I went to the place of one member who missed two Sundays worship in a row. It was quite a long ride but sure It was fun. The road is rough and you see from your left to right are ricefields that are newly planted. When we arrived in the house of our brother they were busy filling their field with water so they can start planting rice. While chatting, he sighed and said “I wish we were rich so that I don’t have to work hard. I would just spend my time relaxing and enjoying.” Sure farming is a difficult thing to do. It means HARD WORK. The process is very long and at the end businessmen will buy your crops cheap. Wish I could give this brother a vacation and check on Outer Banks rentals and choose where he want to relax and enjoy. I just smiled in my thoughts. That seems impossible because I don’t have the money to give him that favor. That was the reason why they were not able to join us two Sundays of worship. In the eyes of men it seems justifiable but in the eyes of God it’s not. The answer, Matthew 6:33.

We’re almost through with our series lesson on True Leadership. It is a study about great leaders in both Old and New testament. I like to share with you what I learned on our study.  Even though it is Me who facilitates the study I also get to learn something new. The pass Sundays we studied some of  the great leaders in the Old Testament.  Abraham, Joseph, Joshua, Nehemiah and many others.  But the character that I liked the most is Nehemiah. No- I won’t sound like preaching here.  I am just impressed of what He did for the sake of others. Well, that’s what should leaders do. To seek first the welfare for their followers.

Did you know that before he helped the Israelites build their walls he was a cup bearer of the King? Nehemiah already had a good life then. This is what I liked about him.  He left his good life just to help the Israelites rebuild their walls.  He was also a  “lets do it” kind of leader. Always ready when there is a need. You can read the full account of Nehemiah’s story in his book of course the book of Nehemiah. Maybe after you read his story you might like him also.

I know there are other great leaders in the Bible that resembles Nehemiah’s leadership. As you read on the book the life that Nehemiah had was almost perfect. He had a good job. A good life. What more can He ask for? But instead, he chose to help and lead the people of Jerusalem. He filled in the need. The need for a good leader. How about us? Are we also ready when situation demands for a leader? Well you may say I’m not born to be a leader. Or I can’t lead like what Nehemiah did. What will you do? This can be very easy. You know what drives Nehemiah to do it? It was LOVE. His love for God’s people. He didn’t mind what he will loss. Everything in his mind is his concern and love towards his fellow.

Hey, there is one more thing.  Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. He did the same as Nehemiah. One thing that surpasses Nehemiah’s leadership is He laid his life for all of us.  Us sinners…

I did sound like preaching…sorry can’t help it.