A.R.K. (Act of Random Kindness)

I have heard that this acronym stands for Acts of Random Kindness after watching the movie “Evan Almighty.” It was a simple revelation of a very old biblical story made relevant by a Hollywood movie. It is something that I have seen with a very significant value for myself. Although the real story of Noah’s ark is not about an act of random kindness but of judgment of humanity’s utter depravity of sin as described in Genesis 6: 5-8 “The Lord saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. 6 The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. 7 So the Lord said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth — men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air — for I am grieved that I have made them." 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” (NIV)

Keep in mind that Noah found grace with God and this was the reason why he was saved together with his family, all eight of them with his sons and daughter-in-laws. Bearing in mind that kindness is an act of grace. Being kind is to be gracious that extends beyond our capability and comfort. It is what Jesus mentioned as doing the extra mile for another person that asks.

Kindness is a character that God has when He sent His one and only Son Jesus to die for our sins. It was a deliberate act of selflessness towards those that are otherwise hostile. God’s kindness is evident as Jesus spoke of it that God gives rain to both believers and unbelievers alike. Isn’t this something to consider about God’s kindness?

One might say, “But He is God, that’s why He can do it!” This statement might be a true but we need to remember that we are also capable of kindness in having it also. Just notice how we take care of others  especially our own family and loved ones. We go the extra and many more miles to do what is necessary to provide them the best that we can above and beyond our ability. When it comes to our family’s concerns, it is not just acts of random kindness but intentional kindness because of love and care. Need I say more?

I found a story of a British statesman and financier Cecil Rhodes, whose fortune was used to endow the world-famous Rhodes Scholarships, was a stickler for correct dress--but apparently not at the expense of someone else's feelings. A young man invited to dine with Rhodes arrived by train and had to go directly to Rhodes's home in his travel-stained clothes. Once there he was appalled to find the other guests already assembled, wearing full evening dress. After what seemed a long time Rhodes appeared, in a shabby old blue suit. Later the young man learned that his host had been dressed in evening clothes, but put on the old suit when he heard of his young guest's dilemma.

It should not matter what status of life anyone has to show kindness to those in need as seen in the above example. A simple sensitivity to those in need will trigger this important character in all of us. Stirring it up is a must for everyone to make another person’s life wonderful. It has a mutual effect and it is a great feeling to have after each act.

How do we apply kindness on a regular basis and not just acts of random kindness? Let us follow the Scripture’s admonition clearly stated in Col 3:12 “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (NIV) In doing so, the whole atmosphere of where you are and the person around you will change by a character already embedded within you as it is released naturally and supernaturally with God’s help. Therefore, never lose an opportunity to show God’s character in every moment possible for your family and strangers alike. Let others experience kindness as we received kindness from others as well!

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Judge Correctly

Author and Minister Terry Cole Whitaker told the following story from Dan Millman, which demonstrates that we cannot judge things as being good or bad because we do not have access to all the information. "One day a man bought a stallion, and all of his friends said, "That's good." The next day the stallion ran away, and all of his friends said, "That's bad." Two weeks later the stallion returned with a herd of mares. His friends said, "That's good." The next day his son broke his shoulders when the stallion threw him off. The friends said, "That's bad." The next month war broke out. Because the boy was injured, he could not go to war. The friends said, "That's good."

The story could go on and on with people judging events as being good or bad when actually all the events are connected and have an impact on each other. How are we to react to any events that come our way? Looking at two Scriptures, we will observe how objectively we must see things and learn to judge any events occurring from a biblical standpoint:

• Psalms 139:16, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. NIV
  
• Romans 8:28, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. NIV
  

With this perspective fully understood, we can then begin to allow a relaxed atmosphere to settle in our life. The key reason why stress is prevalent among many is due to an immediate reaction unnecessarily that leads to panic. Life always throws a curve ball and never a straight arrow. When we analyze the whole process of decision making and judgment of situations we are currently involved in, it is most likely that we tried very hard to assess the next course of action. Sad to say, but the expected result yields a different fruit.

There are three things that must be learned if you desire for God to be involved in every situation of your life i.e., His Word, His Way and His Will. I call this the three W's of Christian life. By familiarizing yourself with God's pattern set in the Scriptures, you will begin to discover your own situation and realize that God does not change His style in dealing with humanity as a whole. He has a set pattern but the most profound is this: He has a plan for you! Jeremiah 29:11 states, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (NIV)

It is of great comfort to know that the Creator God has a very special concern for every individual person in this planet. If you have watched Bruce Almighty, there was a scene where Bruce received the power to deal with people as he saw fit and one of those was answering prayers. He heard a lot of voices and tried very hard to develop a system to handle them but failed. Until he just decided to answer them all for them to stop. It was funny but I've realized how God is able to hear more than 6 billion in this planet with their prayers and answer them as see fit in accordance with His 3 W's.

He is the only one that could judge what is good, seems better and the best in our lives. Though bad things occur as we judge from our perspective is allowed but under God's wisdom, it is providential for the person's benefit. For people that trust God, we just need to allow Him full access to let His will be done and not our will. Remember that when we are at the end of our rope, God is always there. His enduring promise that we need to fall back when times are tough is this: "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5, NIV)

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Just Got Back..(JIL Australia and JIL New Zealand)

The past two weeks were spent in Australia and New Zealand to attend the JIL International Summit in Sydney and to minister to the JIL Auckland congregations. Both were successful events with God’s mighty blessings and favor abounding. There were more or less 150 delegates outside of Sydney coming from 11 countries including the Philippines who’ve attended the Summit. And everyone was excited to be in Sydney for the first time. It was a three jam-packed days of Word, worship and fellowship. Truly an exciting event to see many JIL people gathered in one place for one purpose and that is to have a “Significant Impact.”

A big thanks to the JIL Australia family for their efforts and sacrifices to make this event a successful one. Your labor will never be in vain. Keep it up!!

We were at JIL Auckland with 39 delegates from JIL Canada and JIL USA after Sydney to meet the JIL people as well. And it was a four day tour with a Sunday fellowship also.

A big thanks to JIL Auckland especially to Ptr Nilo and the leadership for their time and effort to provide a personalized tour for all of us who came…

It was such a great time to be in another country. The warmth of the JIL people in both countries are exemplified by their care and concern for their family members who’ve come to visit them. God will bless you indeed!!

The next two major events announced will be an Educational tour in Israel in 2010 and another JIL International event in Vancouver, Canada on 2011. Don’t miss this two exciting events and make your preparations now…Until next time…I’ll try to post some pictures next time..

JIL BC 19th Anniversary Promo Clip

God is good! The JIL BC will celebrate 19 years of God's blessing and favor. Here's a clip:

BE PATIENT

Patience is one of the fruit of the Holy Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (NIV) In one of my research, I found that "patience" implies suffering, enduring or waiting, as a determination of the will and not simply under necessity. It needs to be produced not by our own means but only through the Holy Spirit, who is the source of it.

Seeing the plain truth of this verse, one could notice that this fruit consists of nine ingredients necessary to maintain the unity of this fruit. Thus, logic dictates that if you lose one, you lose them all. That’s why, it is imperative to maintain a constant connection to the source of this fruit, i.e., the Holy Spirit. In doing so, we may avoid the same situation which happened in the States: A man came out of his home to admire his new truck. To his puzzlement, his three-year-old son was happily hammering dents into the shiny paint of the truck. The man ran to his son, knocked him away, hammered the little boy's hands into pulp as punishment. When the father calmed down, he rushed his son to the hospital. Although the doctor tried desperately to save the crushed bones, he finally had to amputate the fingers from both the boy's hands. When the boy woke  up from the surgery & saw his bandaged stubs, he innocently said, " Daddy,I'm sorry about your truck." Then he asked, "but when are my fingers going to grow back?" The father went home & committed suicide.

Think about this story the next time someone steps on your feet or you wish to take revenge. Think first before you lose your patience with someone you love. Trucks can be repaired. Broken bones & hurt feelings often can't. Too often we fail to recognize the difference between the person and the performance. We forget that forgiveness is greater than revenge. When we begin to harbor grievances, we need to learn not to take God’s right to defend us because Paul emphatically stated in Rom 12:19-21”Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (NIV)

People make mistakes. We are allowed to make mistakes. But the actions we take while in a rage will haunt us forever. If there is one person who will be justified to take action was Jesus Christ. He was crucified for our sins that He did not owe yet He suffered that He was likened to a lamb led to the slaughterhouse but uttered the most sobering statement of all that drove to the heart of His persecutor, “Father forgive them for they do not what they do.” Thus, to consider oneself as a Christian is to imbibe the same attitude as that of Jesus Christ; without which will be considered only as an empty rhetoric. Stephen, the first martyr uttered the same words of Jesus while he was being stoned to death by his enemies. And this was a man wholly submitted to the attitude of Jesus and exemplified what Jesus taught by His actions not just by His words.

Let us be reminded that patience can only be exemplified in the toughest and hardest situations of our life. One can only prove that you have patience at work is when you are faced with situations that will prove its existence. The Apostle James provided an important truth to remember on how to apply patience as stated in James 1:19-20, “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” (NIV)I believe that when we heed God’s word in all that I’ve shared here, any stress due to impatience will be relieved immediately. C’mon, give it a shot!

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