First Post!

Hello!

That’s correct, after much thought I have decided to enter into the blog world. This time around may be much different from my past blogging experiences as my life is in a much different place. To those who may not know, I am entering my first semester at The Master’s Seminary in pursuit of my Masters in Divinity degree. In other words, God is leading me towards a lifetime of ministry and service for Him and His Kingdom.

Just as in any Kingdom there is a king, and every king has his subjects, which is why I have titled this blog, “Soldier, Athlete, Farmer.” Paul in his second letter to Timothy encourages him to be a soldier, athlete, and a farmer as he leads God’s flock.

Soldier

“Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No Soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier” (II Tim. 2:3 – 4).

I understand that being in ministry and serving as a soldier for Jesus Christ will be a very difficult task. There will be distractions in life that can distract from a whole hearted service to the King. But the truth is that there is a task, there is an enemy, there is a war, and the soldiers must be ready and active. Pray that as hardships come that I stand strong as a soldier for Christ Jesus.

Athlete

“Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules” (II Tim. 4:5).

If anybody has ever played a team sport, they’ll understand the value and necessity for every member on the team to understand the rules in order to succeed. If a team member consistently breaks the rules (a double dribble, false start, off-sides, etc..) the team suffers and will cost the team dearly. It is necessary to understand what God asks of us and how we ought to accomplish our tasks. Pray for a humble spirit and that I would submit to the authority of God seen in His Word.

Farmer

“The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops” (II Tim. 4:5).

My family back in the Philippines owns and operates rice farm and mill. The work that my grandfather and father and uncles performed growing up was no easy task. Waking up in the early morning, dealing with unruly animals, and the physical labor was strenuous and difficult. Ministry is hard-work, but your work yields fruit (both in heaven and earth). Pray that hard-work is never absent.

Grace

“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (II Tim. 2:1)

In order to accomplish all of these, one must be strong in grace. Only by God’s grace can those fight as soldiers, compete as athletes, and work like a farmer. There is not ounce of flesh that should rejoice, because only by God’s grace does anybody accomplish anything. Pray that there is no self-dependency in an area of life, that there is total rest and reliance on the grace of God to sustain in every facet of life.

Thanks for reading in and I hope you guys stay tuned as I attempt to keep this updated. Here is where you can find glimpses of God’s work in my life.