What we need is H.U.G

      First of all I want to introduce my self, 
I'm Christopher de Guzman

or simply "Chris". Happily serving God and part of the mission team here in Bulacan. I'm part of the core group of Bulacan Christian Church (BCC). We're affiliated with the Metro Manila Christian Church (MMCC) and the International Churches of Christ (ICOC). 
We have no full time workers for now, so the core group leadership is the one who leads the BCC. Inspite the fact that we are all working and family men,  we made a commitment to serve God and His church. 
We commit our selves to do the purpose of seeking and saving the lost, and spreading the Word of God and His love. 
I decided to do this blog to share what I am learning from God's Word, life experiences and wisdoms from other people, 
also for those members who missed hearing the message and also for future references.

    

"what we need is H.U.G" 
An acronym where: H-umility in serving,U-nity, G-ratitude that encourages. 

      In the Bible, the 1st century church disciples greet one onother in a holy kiss, now in our church , we greet each other through a warm and pure"HUG". A HUG with pure love trully encourages right? 
      But my message is not about literal meaning of hug, I just use the acronym to make it sweet (he he)...So here is my message:

                                    
"What we need is H.U.G"

1. Humility in serving

God is a servant.

Everyday in our life, God is there, feeding us, protecting us, providing us, guiding us, teaching us, saving us… 
The King has become your servant!

Jesus Christ set an example what humility is…He became servant to all. He washed all His disciple's feet. He was born in a humble manger not in extravagant and luxurious palace. He was raced in a poor home not in a royal family like kings and princes. He came not to be served but to served.

 Matthew 20:25-27

Vs. 28 “ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve”

      So this is what we need in our church, we need to serve each other as Jesus did.

2. Unity

      

We need UNITY in our church. This is God's desire for us...to be united.

Ephesians 4:1-6

Vs. 3 “ Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

 John 17:11

Vs  11…so that they may be one as we are one.”

John 17

Vs. 21 “ that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you..”

Note: One of the most impressive things about the Bible is the way it is linked together, with consistent themes running throughout, from beginning to end. Though written over a span of 1,600 years and composed by more than forty writers of various backgrounds and skill levels, God sovereignly authored it with one united voice. And He continues to speak through it today without ever going off-message.

          Unity. Togetherness. Oneness. These are the unshakable hallmarks of our God.

          From the beginning of time, we see His unity at work through the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God the Father is there , creating the heavens and the earth.

         The Spirit is “moving over the surface of the waters” (Gen 1:2). And the Son (Jesus) , who is the exact representation of His nature. ( John 1:1-4,14). They are joined in speaking the world into existence.

          “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our Likeness” (Genesis1:26)

          Us. Our – All three are in perfect oneness of mind and purpose.

         

Unity is a sign of a healthy church, sector, housechurch, bible talk, family or a relationship.

Are you united with your group?

Are you one in heart and united?

Our heart and mind should be toward unity and not rebellion.

What shall we do to have unity?

a.Submit to God , be humble

b.Fight for it!

-unity is possible if everyone makes an effort

     c. Challenge sin

         - sin divides our group

Challenge: we must repent

                     Let us continue discipling one another

     d. Resolve conflict (conflict will result to bitterness)

matthew 18:15

      e. Love one another

      f. Pray, ask the Lord to reveal anything in your own heart that is threatening oness with other disciples/spouse. Pray that He would do the same for them and if appropriate, discuss this matter openly, seeking God for unity

Do you still remember Tower of Babel?

Gen 11:1-6

Vs. 6 “ The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them”.

      The lesson here is even God believe that nothing is impossible for men to accomplish if they are united, so why not be united for God's purpose. My brethren, there is power in UNITY!.

3. GRATITUDE that ENCOURAGES

How grateful are we after God had loved us, cleansed us and forgave us from all our sins?

Does our gratefulness reflects in our lives and in our actions?

Even God was encouraged when we are grateful…

Luke 17: 1-18. The story here is about the 10 men who had leprosy, they cried out for Jesus to heal them. All of them were healed, but only one returned to thank Jesus and gave praise God.

Vs. 17-18 “ Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”

      What do we feel when our own child, thank us when we gave them something? What joy when we see if they are so greatful for the gift we gave to them...isn't it encouraging?

      I believe God will be encourage and will be glorified when we are thankful/grateful.

Gratefulness keep us being humble always!

Be grateful and thankful always!

“ Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”

-         1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

“always giving thanks to God the Father for everything; in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”

-         Ephesians 5:20

          Let me tell you  a story from Bo Sanchez...

“I Love The Perfection Of Your Imperfections.”

         

          One day, a wife came to her husband with a magazine in her hand, “Darling, this article is wonderful. It describes a little activity that we can both do to improve our marriage. Can we do it together?”

          “Sure,” her husband said.

          “It says here that for one day, each of us will separately write a list of what areas we want the other to change. Little annoyances, little irritations, etc. And then tomorrow, we share this list to each other. Deal?”

          “Deal!” the husband smiled.

          That day, the man sat on the living room with paper and hand. The wife went to the bedroom and did the same thing.

          The next day, over breakfast, the wife said, “Game? Can I start first?”

          “Yes,” the husband said.

          The wife pulled out three pages. Single spaced. Font 8. It was a long list. She began to read her list. “Darling, I don’t like it when you do this…” On and on, she read the little ways her husbands annoyed her.

          The man felt a sting in his heart. The wife noticed this and asked, “Do you want me to continue?”

          “I can handle it. Go on,” the man said.

          So the wife continued to read.

          Finally, the woman said, “Okay, it’s your turn.”

          The husband pulled out his piece of paper and said, “Yesterday, I asked the question what are the changes I want in you. But hard as I tried to think, I couldn’t think of one thing.” He then showed to her the empty piece of paper in his hand. “Because to me, you’re perfect in your imperfections.   I’ve accepted who you are—strengths and weaknesses. And I love the whole package. I love the mix. You are a wonderful person and I love you so much.”

          The wife began to sob, rolled up her three pages in her hand, and beat her husband on the head, “Kaw talaga!” And hugged him tight for a very long time.
                                                            (excerpt from Bo Sanchez articles)

Practicals:

a.    Appreciate God in every second of our life, be thankful in everything

b.    Appreciate and give appreciation to atleast 5 people everyday – give them letters / card / encouragement note or even text

c.      One of the ways to show gratitude is to simply to say it

Here’s your assignment for this lession: Go to 1, 2, or 3 people in your life and thank them for the blessing that they are to you. 

Be specific. Write them a letter of gratitude. 

Thank your wife for the small things she does for you. 

Thank your husband for going to work everyday.

Thank your mother for the way she serves you.

Thank your child for being a wonderful child.

The next time a loved one presses your clothes, or takes out the trash, or fixes the car, or takes care of the baby, appreciate them in your heart and in your words.

      Hope this message will help us. What we need is H.U.G...

H-umility in service U-nity G-ratitude that encourages

      To God be the glory!

Hope you follow my future blogs...be a follower of this blog. Thank you very much for your time reading. God bless!

Hope to share your thoughts below: