Here’s a transcript I forgot to post, of my message last Sunday. Posting here for retention, and for transition to our message for this Sunday. Or, well, today.
Yeah.
Welcome to the Good News Aces, where we sing Good Good Father on Mother’s Day.
I’ve been reminded of things these past couple of days.
First of all, regarding foresight. Or, really, just knowing things before they happen. I think having your own vision matters, because it leads to you being more specific with what you want – or, rather, what you want to see. And that has its contributions to the things to see before they happen, because at least you have a clearer idea on things you WANT to see.
Another thing that matters is the people who are involved in the things you want to know – their responses, their reactions, how they benefit, what risks are involved; Also, what visions they have themselves, if they have any visions at all; That paints a clearer picture.
It’s a clearer picture we need so our bodies – our beings act or react accordingly. Vision moves toward actions, and action adds value to the vision.
Second, regarding timing.
For the longest time I’ve lamented on how my timing has seemingly been off. I missed out on opportunities. Lots of em. Relationships, finances, and so on.
I blame myself, my willingness to be distracted, my struggle with preferring and prioritizing my own comfort and preservation over persevering and striving towards better things.
Then a friend of mine tells me of her recent winning streak, and how, lately, she’s been in the right place at the right time a lot. I’m just reminded that I should probably get back to that sort of rhythm. Not really sure how I get back into this ‘rhythm’, but, well, now that I’m thinking about it again… It’s Christ who is in charge of the flow.
Third, regarding integrity.
Vision? Timing? What remains important beneath these is Integrity. It’s the clutch lining that’s more important than the brakes or the oil.
Priorities. Things of greater importance naturally take higher priority.
Just like that. I had the oil in my car changed, I had the brake pads changed after the longest time… but none of that did anything to help my car which was having abnormal issues just climbing a slope. Once it was good and comfortable using second or third gear, now I need to downshift to first gear. It’s the clutch lining that naturally takes priority.
It’s the same thing with having a vision, and praying to be in the right timing. Very good to have a vision, sure – it defines the rest of your moves so you’re more decisive and precise. Also good to be in timing – you make the most of what you have if you’re at the right place at the right time. And, yes, again, now that I think about it, it’s Christ who’s in charge of the flow, in charge of the timing; The God who caused the sun to stand still for Joshua, and for the shadow of the sundial to move in reverse for Hezekiah is the same God who is in charge of the timing.
Sorry, taking a little more time here, for myself… because maybe it isn’t about our moving to be in good timing, but it’s more of our being ‘in sync’ with the Lord that we should be prioritizing.
And now that we’re there anyway, that’s what ought to take priority – or rather, that’s what naturally takes priority: Integrity, or now that I’m writing about it, the intentional reflection, celebration, and application of our right standing with God (shining our righteousness). Integrity and our consequent dependence on the Lord is what establishes and constantly clarifies what visions we have for both the short and long term… and it’s also integrity that secures us and keeps us confident in the truth that though we may think we aren’t in timing, we do have the Creator of Time on our side as a good Father, who ultimately causes all things – vision, and timing – to work for our good.
Again, the clutch takes priority over the brakes and the oil.
Integrity takes priority over vision and timing.
After this I took some time to make declarations: First, for our ladies who were celebrating Mothers’ Day, then for the Elections which happened the next day.
For our Mothers
Declaration of Strength and Dignity Based on Proverbs 31:25
You are clothed with strength and dignity. You laugh without fear of the future, for your trust is in the Lord, and your love uplifts your family.
Declaration of Godly Guidance Based on Proverbs 22:6
You are faithful, and you train your children in the way they should go. Your godly wisdom and nurturing heart guide them, and they will not depart from the path of righteousness.
Declaration of Love and Kindness Based on 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
We declare that your love, is patient and kind. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Your love never fails, reflecting God’s heart.
Declaration of a Blessed Legacy Based on Psalm 127:3
Your children are a heritage from the Lord, a reward from Him. Through your faith and care, you build a legacy of love and godliness for generations.
Declaration of Peace and Honor Based on Exodus 20:12
We declare that you are honored and cherished. God’s peace fills your heart as your children rise up to call you blessed, fulfilling His command to honor you.
Declaration of Joy and Faith Based on Luke 1:45
We declare that you are blessed because you believe in the Lord’s promises. Your faith brings joy to your household, and God’s favor rests upon you.
For the Elections
Declaration for Wisdom in Choosing Leaders Based on James 1:2-6
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
We declare that every Filipino voter receives wisdom from God, who gives generously to all who ask. May we vote with clarity and discernment, choosing leaders who honor God and serve the Philippines with integrity.
Declaration for Righteous Leadership Based on Proverbs 29:2
2 When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
We declare that as Filipinos cast their votes, they select righteous leaders who bring joy to the nation. May God guide our hand to choose those who fear Him and uphold justice, so the Philippines may rejoice.
Declaration for Discernment Against Deception Based on Proverbs 12:17-20
17 Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit.
18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. 19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.
We declare that the truth prevails in the hearts of Filipino voters. May we discern honest candidates, rejecting lies and disinformation, and vote for those who reflect God’s truth and love for country.
Declaration for the Common GoodBased on Philippians 2:3-8
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
We declare that Filipino voters look beyond personal gain, choosing leaders who serve the poor and vulnerable. May our votes reflect God’s heart for unity, compassion, and the well-being of all Filipinos.
Declaration for God’s Sovereignty in Elections Based on Daniel 2:20-22
20 Daniel answered and said:
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might.
21 He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;
22 he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.
We declare that God, who sets up and removes leaders, guides the Philippines in this election. May Filipino voters trust in His sovereignty, voting with faith for leaders who align with His will for the nation.
Declaration for Peace and IntegrityBased on 1 Timothy 2:1-2
1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
We declare that Filipino voters pray for and choose leaders who promote peace, godliness, and honesty. May our votes tomorrow pave the way for a just and peaceful Philippines, free from corruption and violence.
The Priority
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:6-8
To top it all off, we’re thankful for Mothers, whom we don’t choose, but are blessings nevertheless.
We’re thankful for our Leaders, whom we choose, and ask for God’s blessings upon them as they lead.
However, I made the admittedly weak argument that above these folks placed over our lives, we have the Holy Spirit who is poured over us, with grace greater than our mothers, and glory greater than our leaders.
Brother Juan approached me after the service and shared that my message was ‘lacking’, in that it’s not only the Holy Spirit who moves to place our leaders over us, but we play a role. I think his point was that we needed to ‘get right with God’ for Him to place right leaders over our nation. He cited the examples of the Old Testament, and in my divided attention, I challenged his claim by asking him if it was the very same thing that happened in the New Testament (lowkey emphasizing if God was doing the same thing AFTER Christ’s finished work); to which, he answered ‘it’s the same’ (It’s not.) In my weariness I regrettably brushed him off and left the argument as it was, but went back to him as they were leaving church, thanking him for his feedback.
Now that I’m going back to it, I suppose I should take it as a reminder for us to, again, take the opportunity and privilege to impose integrity – or, intentional celebration of our righteousness.
In other words, I’m going back to what our good Pastor Poppo was advocating: Good governance, and how it starts with us… BUT, only this time, I’m not going to say that our individual good governance results in the Old Testament God placing good governing leaders over us – No, I’m saying that because we have the King of Kings and Lord of Lords as a Father to us, loving us with good governance – that’s how it starts with us.
I suppose this is something I’m going to need to use as I shift to a message AFTER the elections… which is, this Sunday.
Until the next post, may our God bless us all. Amen.
197340/365000
JB's Personal Brain Defragmenter 
Leave a comment