Speaking Life

Raindrops in my jade plant

The God of Israel said,
the Rock of Israel spoke to me,
He who rules over men must be just,
ruling in reverence of God.
And he will be like the light of the morning,
when the sun rises, a morning without clouds,
like the tender grass springing out of the earth
by shining clear after rain.
- 2 Samuel 23:3


And the remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples
as the dew from the LORD,
as the showers upon the grass 
that do not delay for man
or wait for the sons of men.
- Micah 5:6


 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,

and do not return to it without watering the earth

and making it bud and flourish,

so that it yields seed for the sower

and bread for the eater,

so is My word that goes out from My mouth:

It will not return to Me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire

and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

- Isaiah 55:10, 11


Let my teaching fall like rain 

and my words descend like dew, 

like showers on new grass, 

like abundant rain on tender plants.

- Deuteronomy 32:2

The worship of convenience is the enemy of true faith. - Rick Joyner 

About a week ago, nine of us went to San Carlos City, a city in the northern part of our island.  It was a cool morning, the dawning of a new day, and the road to this place takes us through winding roads around the mountains of Don Salvador Benedicto. So it really was a scenic route through sugar cane plantations, rice fields, rivers, brooks, meadows, valleys, and pine tree nurseries. Clouds hung low in the mountains, and in some parts, we literally had to go through these clouds. It was a feast for my soul, really such a refreshing delight for me, after having been in the congested and noisy city all these months.

Lyndon had been invited to give a teaching at the pastors' and church workers' gathering that day, and we were part of his intercessory team. 

Only about fifty persons showed up for this event, so we were quite disappointed. Yet Lyndon delivered his message with the same passion and commitment that I have known him to have.

There is really no time to lose. We aim to encourage as many fellow countrymen as we can reach to go down on their knees and regularly intercede for our nation. It is a call to unity, especially for pastors who are the gatekeepers of their churches.

We want to break down the denominational walls that divide and wound us as a people, but it seems such an uphill climb. Reaching out to all of those who are called by His name, our ultimate aim is for anyone who will acknowledge the sovereignty of God as King over our seven thousand and one hundred islands, to bend the knee in humility, and to pray.

Our greatest enemies are ignorance, complacency, plain and simple laziness, and an outright refusal to budge from one's places of comfort. Nevertheless, we are not daunted by this, for that is nearly where each one of us stood at the beginning of our individual journeys. So we are setting out on an information campaign - letting people know what the real score is, in a language that they speak and understand, right where they are.

A year ago, the Central Bank of the Philippines came out with new banknotes. On these banknotes were printed these amazing words:

Pinagpala ang bayan na ang Diyos ay ang Panginoon.

In English, this means, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord" found in Psalm 33:12.

This is a powerful declaration. The fact that it is printed on every single banknote of our currency has spiritual implications. To say that we are excited about this development is really an understatement, for we are seeing before our eyes that God is pleased by our commitment to continue giving Him the place of highest honor in our land.

Money talks... and in this case, our money says that He is the Lord of our economy.

What we really want people to know is that the Philippines is a nation of prophetic destiny. Being the only Christian nation in southeast Asia, we are a channel of God's blessing to this part of the world.

Our islands are naturally endowed with great wealth in the form of natural resources.

Consider these facts:

The Mindanao Deep has the biggest deposit of concentrated nitrogen in the whole world.

Beneath the South China Sea, right within Philippine territory, lies 213 billion barrels of oil deposits. No wonder, our next door neighbor is very interested and is preying right within our doorsteps, standing guard.

We are the fifth most mineralized country in the world... the number one gold producer in Asia, having the second largest deposit of gold in the entire world. We have the third largest deposit of copper, in Surigao is found the fourth largest deposit of nickel, used in the manufacture of stainless steel. We also have the fifth largest deposit of manganese, and the sixth largest deposit of chromite worldwide.

But more than the wealth of our natural resources, I believe that our greatest wealth are our own people, gifted with a joyful spirit. Hospitality is probably our national trait, as well as a soft heart for God. We are a civilized race, with a set of well-defined and written laws. Intelligent and hardworking, we possess incredible abilities in arts and sciences.

God is changing the season, and He is turning the tide in our favor. Among the intercessors, those who are praying unceasingly for this nation, it is a widespread belief that we are moving forward, and we are believing that God will enable us to accomplish in a year what will normally take ten years.

No longer will the Lord delay His Word for the Philippines. We need to recognize the urgency of this hour... we need to unite... stand together... believe together... and pray together!

We will look beyond the societal ills, the injustice, the corruption, the poverty... we will look up to the heavens, believe that He is lifting us up from the ashes, restoring us to a greater glory than ever before, and together let us declare with one voice that the Philippines is for Christ!

Showers of mercy, grace, and compassion are falling.

I offer my mouth to You, Lord, that You may use it as an instrument for Your glory.  My mouth will speak blessings, and not curse... life, and not death. Make me a channel of blessing to my family - my children and grandchildren, to my friends, and every single person you send my way. 

Yes, I am speaking life to these islands... raising my voice up to the heavens! I will never stop proclaiming that the Philippines is for Christ!


I have been home for four weeks already, and have truly appreciated the precious opportunity to bond with my family as well.

This month we celebrated the birthdays of my two daughters in love, God given and Chosen One.

Below are some pictures I have taken of my loved ones.

A stormy day, lunch at Balaring seaside resto, in honor of First Born's birthday and MBA graduation

Precious grandsons - Full of Hope and Forerunner

Breakfast at McDonald's on Chosen One's birthday - here she is with Worshiper and Full of Hope

First born, God given and Forerunner

At Yakiniku Korean resto, during God-given's birthday lunch... me and my two sons

God-given and First born, a family breakfast on God given's birthday

Forerunner, growing up...

Full of hope, beaming at his Nana

A special homemade Japanese sushi dinner

 

Little happy feet

Forerunner, in his preschool uniform - so formal looking!

Me and my grandsons

The Philippines is for Christ

 by Steve Kuban

The heavens declare your glory

The nations bow before Thee

And in this place

Let your praise arise

The Philippines is for Christ

Reign, reign Lord Jesus

In our hearts

And In our lives

Reign, reign O Lord of the Heavens

The Philippines is for Christ

Forever your name be exalted

O Lord above creation

And in this place

We lift your song on high

The Philippines is for Christ