SECRET TO PERSONAL GROWTH

People have been asking me lately L.a. what is God's formula for spiritual growth. Man, after praying and studying I have come to this conclusion


The secret to spiritual growth is.................









.....THE SECRET IS... THERE ARE NO SECRETS to spiritual growth !!!

these are not secrets.. these simple principles are scattered all throughout the Bible.

1. GET YOUR BIBLE AND READ IT !!!
2. PRAY AND INTERACT WITH JESUS!!!
3. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO WILL CHALLENGE YOU TO LOVE GOD.
4. ATTEND A CHURCH THAT PREACHES THE GOSPEL, AND SERVE there

there are some others but for the sake of space I listed down the most important.
My personal revelation : WE KNOW WHAT TO DO... WE JUST NEED TO DO IT

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22




1

SOME PHRASES GOD has been TEACHING ME RECENTLY....

God has really been teaching me a lot of things the past few weeks. Here are some of the phrases I have really been thinking and praying about.

1. BIG THINKING.. too often I look at the natural rather than believe God for impossible things.
2. BE PATIENT... ironic cause, im the type who wants to learn patience NOW!!!
3. THINK TEAM... If Michael Phelps needed one, i am sure I need one . Whether that is TEAM MUMAR, TEAM ENCM OR TEAM VICTORY.. always think and protect the team

4. DON'T QUIT .. Olympic series fever ( our series in church) no matter how hard life is never ever quit!!!
5. LOVE JESUS .. the ULTIMATE PRIZE, LIFE'S AND ETERNITY'S GOLD MEDAL!!! ( again Olympic series) my relationship with Jesus is the most precious thing I have. Mwah ,I love you talaga Jesus.

ITS HARD TO RAISE UP LEADERS!

Yes, you read my title right its hard to raise up leaders. Why you might ask, here are some of the reasons.

1. it takes extra time.. sometimes its tempting to do it yourself so that work will be faster
2. it takes extra effort .. see # 1
3. it takes extra patience.. see #1 and #2
4. they are a lot younger... generation gap ( different culture,language and mindset) makes me wanna go crazy @ times
5. their mistakes cost the organization .. money, time, resources, bad services, terrible preachings etc...

Yes its hard but we should DO IT ANYWAY!!! I was young once.. im glad someone raised me up in spite of these 5 reasons. After all the blood, sweat,and tears. Seeing a leader rise up and fulfill his/her destiny is one of the greatest joys i have in being a spiritual leader.

Lets all raise up the future leaders of our nation.

A BALANCED DIET!

Im trying to lose weight been trying to read healthier diets for a healthier life. Most of the articles I checked spoke about a balanced meal, enough carbo, meat,veggies, fruit and water. An overdose of one can lead to danger.

The same is true in leadership, I have been learning that one has to have a balance diet in order to have a healthy ministry.

So here are some of the things I need to work on my diet as a leader..( NOT IN ORDER EXCEPT #1 )

1. SPIRITUAL DEPTH .. at the end of everything my job ( husband ,father, pastor) calls for me to lead my family spiritually. To draw closer to God and have a deeper love and faith in Him.

2. STRATEGIC INSIGHT .. to plan the most effective and efficient way of running my family and ministry

3. VISION CASTING... in todays tough times, people need to hear there is a great future to inspire them to work on the present

4. SYSTEM ANALYSIS ...inspired people (vision) and great plans ( strategy) WITHOUT systems...will lead to burdened and confused followers.


I need to work on more, but I know I need to deal with these now.. A BALANCE DIET..

DREAM TEAM

If you have been involved in ministry in any way.. kids, youth, singles , worship ,discipleship etc.. you would have probably felt what i have..which is IM NOT GOOD ENOUGH!!! Sometimes i feel overwhelmed, pressured, unequipped ,scared etc .. about the task up ahead. Which drives me to my point WE NEED A TEAM !!! NOT ONLY A TEAM WE NEED A DREAM TEAM. A team helps you, encourages you, challenges you , corrects you , rebukes you, prays for you!!!

Interesting God says , 1 can put a 1000 to flight, but with 2 you can put 10,000. The power of team!!! Jesus exaplins that if 2 pray to God ANYTHING they agree on will happen. Again, the power of the team.

Here are some of the things i do as a team:

1. pray... macy ( my wife) and i pray for all our concerns asking God to step in.
2. preaching ... people like paolo, robert, dennis ,janssen, joe help me prepare sunday and youth messages
3.youth strategy... i dont implement anything in our youth group without the input of our youth volunteers like rich, dar, jan, joey , king etc...

TEAM! TEAM! TEAM ! They can be staff ,volunteers , older people, younger, peers etc.. JUST MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ONE, WHEN AROUND YOU!!!

“L.a. how do you become a pastor?" ( campus missionary)

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.

LEADERSHIP LESSON # 3 "BOUNCE OFF"

If you are a leader, take this phrase to heart ..... "BOUNCE OFF". Its a cooler way of saying," to ask for feedback". I cannot overemphasize the need for leaders to "bounce off" ideas with different kinds of people. (staff, pastors, youth, non christians etc)

After preaching the 5pm service, I have made it a habit to ask other people how my preaching was. I want to be able to adjust and modify for the 7 pm. ( kawawa naman ang 5) My most brilliant ideas, best preachings, strategic ministry moves were a result of people speaking into my life. and giving me honest to goodness feeback

Yes, i admit it, it sometimes hurt my ego being corrected and adjusted or if someone has a way cooler idea that mine.. but WHATEVER!!! THE GOAL IS TO IMPROVE WITH THE HELP OF OTHERS , NOT TO BE PRIDEFUL AND PROVE TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS YOU CAN DO THINGS ALONE!!

Jordan needed the Bulls, Ricky Martin needed Menudo, Hannah Montana needs her friends. Next time you think you have a brilliant idea... remember these words... "BOUNCE OFF" . It will save you a lot of heartache.