Reflection

Looking Forward

December 28, 2017 by Meljoie Pepito Leave a Comment

“Dear Lord, I pray that you will continue to guide this couple in their ministry and in their different responsibilities…” These are some of the inspiring words of prayer from a leader to us (me and my wife) yesterday. I always get this unique feeling that words cannot express when someone offered a prayer for me.

The year is soon to end. 2018 will not be stop but it will come. It won’t be the same of the year 2017 or the previous years but it is an opportunity to do what was left undone this year. It is a new beginning, new challenges and new experiences for all of us. Unable to know what will happen in the future would always bring doubts and fears in our hearts but on the other side it will help us depend on God. It is not the preparation of what lies ahead that matters although it is necessary, but it is WHO is with you when facing the unknown.

Apostle John had prayed for all of us many years ago. 3 John 2 – “Dear friend, I pray that you may prosper in every way and be in good health physically just as you are spiritually.”(HCSB)

I wonder what will happen in the future, but with God, family and friends around, I am excitedly looking forward to it.

The Holy Spirit and the Spirituality

January 4, 2017 by Meljoie Pepito Leave a Comment

Our Sabbath School Lesson for the first quarter of the year 2017 arrived early, thanks to Pr. Jerry Taguno our Sabbath School Director for NEMM.

Our lesson for this quarter focuses on the work of a Holy Spirit which is very crucial to our Salvation, but it “plays a role that is more of a behind the scene.” God sent His son to be a teacher, a living example and as a sacrificial lamb so that men can have eternal life. When Jesus went back to heaven He left the Holy Spirit – to be our comforter. The Holy Spirit became the inspiration of the writers of the “Holy Word of God, an inspiration to the readers of the word of God, gives assurance of salvation through Jesus Christ and gives evidences of God’s work in us” The Holy Spirit works straight in to our central nervous system that certainly brings us closer to the Father.

Our lesson for this quarter delves into understanding the work of the Holy Spirit to fully appreciate the gift of the Holy Spirit working to bring us all to salvation.

Here is the list of the weekly topic for the first quarter of 2017.

The Spirit and the Word.
The Holy Spirit: Working behind the Scenes.
The Divinity of the Holy Spirit.
The Personality of the Holy Spirit.
The Baptism and Filling of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit and Living a Holy Life
The Holy Spirit and the Fruit of the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit
The Holy Spirit and the Church
The Holy Spirit, the Word, and Prayer
Grieving and Resisting the Spirit.
The Work of the Holy Spirit.

This quarter’s lesson is written by Frank Hasel a former dean of the Department of Theology at Bogenhofen Seminary in Austria, Europe, and also the Director of the Ellen G. White Study Center when he wrote this Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide. His wife died of cancer in 2009. Since then he learns to “trust God’s goodness in new ways every day and experiences the comfort, peace, and transforming power of the Holy Spirit in his life. (SS Lesson First Quarter 2017)

Child Dedication: Is it important?

August 28, 2016 by Meljoie Pepito Leave a Comment

Remrem Abayan Photo Credit: Jaxi

I could remember the time when I was about 6 years old when my parents brought me to church and dedicated me to the Lord. I did not remember the name of the pastor, nor the message but I am sure it touched the hearts of my parents.

After many years, I have a family of my own. My wife and I agreed to dedicate our daughter to the Lord. We invited Pr. Bernabe Dahunan and we held it at the church where I was dedicated. We did not have a fancy program, but we heard the message that help us understand that God is the owner of everything.

Why dedicate our Child to the Lord?

I understand why Hannah gave her son Samuel and his future to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:11). She knows what is best for her son and that is to serve God in the temple. Samuel became the messenger of God to priest Eli.

These are my reasons:

Recognizing that God is the owner of everything even our children. We believe that our daughter is a gift from God.
Acknowledging that God entrusted his child to us and our responsibility is to take care and teach her the right path of righteousness.
The need of the support from the church community. The church community place an important role in nurturing the spiritual aspect of our children by training our children to participate in the church worship and church activities.
The privilege to access God’s blessings for our daughter, for us parents and the church congregation. This is the blessing of the Holy Spirit that will closely guide our thoughts and our children as we train and prepare them for heaven.

Is it really important?

My wife and I think that it is important for parents to understand that God should be part in raising children. Child dedication is one way of conditioning our mind, renewing the special relationship with God for the purpose of the salvation of our children, accessing God’s promised blessings. We can be successful parents when we can bring our children to Jesus.

Looking at Our Father

June 23, 2016 by Meljoie Pepito Leave a Comment

The world celebrated father’s day this month. Families have gathered together to honor the father figure in the family. When Jesus teaches us to pray, he intended to address him as “Our Father in Heaven…” (Matt. 6:9-13). He then provided the details on what we can get from the father.

“Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matt. 6:11) – Our father stands as the provider of our daily needs. He gives us bread (food) but it could also be anything that we need everyday.

“Forgives us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” (Matt. 6:12) – He portrays as an understanding father who forgives our debts and in the same way taught us a lesson to forgive our debtors.

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:..” (Matt. 6:13) – He then played as our guard, protecting us from being tempted by Satan and at the same time he delivers us when we are caught by the devil’s trap.

For thine is the kingdom and power and the glory forever. Amen. (Matt. 6:13) – He then established His domain, His power and His authority which reminds us that we have a great, powerful and perfect father.

We are called father by our children, but we can also be a father to the people we are working with, to the people we met.

Happy Father’s Day!

Time to Play

July 28, 2015 by Meljoie Pepito Leave a Comment

I received a text message from our administrative secretary informing us to come early to the workers’ meeting and bring extra clothes intended for outdoor activities. This was a change of atmosphere; the administrators are preparing different kinds of activities. Bayanihan and basketball match in the morning. Our team won twice and we still have three games left to play probably next workers’ meeting. The next day, the workers went to beach to play group games such as: takyan, tug of war, beach volleyball, fish catching and many others. Even though it was a contest but nobody felt defeated because we had fun playing together. During the evening devotional, Pastor Jaman Bacleran expressed how happy he is for those activities that the administrators prepared. I agree with him.

Left: Pr. Vic Ligsay blocking Pr. Tantan Gallogo

I learned many things during that short period of time. I learned that, having a break from work and have fun could actually help you work efficiently. Playing with workmates helps me understand on how can I fit myself to others and work with them productively.

I do appreciate whoever is the brain of that special workers meeting. Well done.