Be God's Miracle to Someone Else
Posted by Cristy Ocampo on Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Praise the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. It has been 2 years since I testified to God’s abounding goodness and provision to my whole family and to myself. Before I begin, I would like to thank the Lord for this opportunity to share and I pray that you will be blessed and encouraged.
Be joyful always. Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Firstly, I’d like to thank God for the life that He has given me. God has given me wonderful parents and sisters who are always supporting me, a family who loves me, good friends, good job and a church where I am growing spiritually. You would probably think that I have a perfect life. Yes, it is perfect because I have Jesus in my life and that’s what makes my life perfect. In spite of all troubles, trials, failures, pains and disappointments that I face daily, the assurance that Jesus is in the boat with me, keeps me hopeful, strong and joyful in any circumstance.
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:10)
One of the saddest parts in life, for me, is wasted talent and opportunity. In the mission that Jesus has given us, talent and opportunity are the keys. Each of us are given talents and abilities that we have to use because we are God’s instruments. We are His hands, hands to lend to someone in need. We are His feet so we can go when needed. We are His mouth so we can encourage, pray and sing to someone who is troubled. We are also given great and blessed opportunities to share the love of God through our giving.
I am very thankful to God for the wisdom that He has given the Agape Missions Team to establish the Hope Philippines project. I believe that this is one of the best projects that Agape has undertaken. Through this, each one of us were given the blessed opportunity and privilege to give as the apostle Paul had said in 2nd Corinthians 8:7 “But just as you excel in everything- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us, see that you also excel in the grace of giving."
Last month, as the Lord willed, I had another opportunity to go back home with my eldest son Ronjie to meet his fiancée’s parents in Cebu. It was truly a great and wonderful experience for me. I had a great time with Ronjie and Remz. I enjoyed our mountain trek and from the top of the mountain, I’ve seen the spectacular view of the expanse of the sea and vegetation below. God’s creation is truly amazing. It is so different when you only see it in movies or pictures but the real thing is just magnificent. It was a very short holiday, but I would say that no time was wasted. I was able to visit my Lola Juaning, 91 years old and now sickly. She is my spiritual mother, she was the one who brought me to this faith. I also had a great time with my Kuya Teddy, my cousin who is almost a brother to me. We grew up together in the care of our Lola. We have not seen each other for almost 25 years ane we promised ourselves that there is no way in the world that we won’t see each other at least before one of us is taken by the Lord. I also had a great time with my heart child Aaliya and am still hoping that God will make a way and grant our desire to get her in God’s perfect time. I also had the chance to share God’s word with my relatives and friends encouraging them to keep the faith, not to give up because our hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ. But more than this was the opportunity to visit our sister church in Novaliches – the Foundation of Truth Christian Church and meet with our sponsored children and their parents. It was a Sunday when we went there. After the church service, Ate Glo and Ps. Ferdie helped us gather the children along with their parents and shared with them our gifts that we have prepared for them.
It is very rewarding to know that they are able to go to school, their needs are met and that they are growing in the knowledge of our Lord. I was also very happy to see Princess, one of those who I sponsored and has now graduated from college. She is now employed and also a ministry worker in the church. Nothing can be compared to the joy that one feels when you know that someone was able to fulfill his dreams because you decided to give a portion of what you have. Becoming God’s miracle to someone is a great gift – an indescribable gift. Give and give love unconditionally. Through generosity, through our giving, we become God’s miracle to someone.
I also would like to share this incident that happened to us while shopping in Baclaran. It was very hot that day and I needed a drink. My cousin and I went inside a grocery shop to buy drinks. Beside the freezer stood a woman with her three children. They were looking at the ice creams and probably looking for the cheapest ice cream to buy. I was just observing them. One of the children pointed indicating to her mom what she wanted. Maybe the mom did not have enough money. As they were about to leave, I approached the children and asked which ice cream they like. I gave the woman money and told her to buy ice cream for her children. She was hesitant at first but then gladly accepted and thanked me. My cousin asked if I knew them but I told her no. She then asked why I gave them money. I just told her so that they can buy ice cream.
Giving is also a form of evangelism. To a person who is depressed, needy, lonely, discouraged or just someone who wanted ice cream, your help, your words of encouragement, your smile lights a fire of hope in their hearts that God is at work, that God knows their needs and that God answers even when you do not have money to buy ice cream. Those people whom we do not know but whose hearts we touch are our ‘ends of the earth’.
Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be poured into our lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measure to you. (Luke 6:38)
When I came back from my holidays, piles of work were waiting. There were hundreds of emails that I needed to respond to and a meeting with my manager to attend on that same day. During the meeting, we had the usual ‘how’s everything’ stuff and how my holiday was. He asked me if I got his email. I told him that I have not come across it yet as I have hundreds to open. And then he said that the management of UTi has decided to give me a bonus due to excellent performance. I did not know what to say. All I was able to utter was, ‘Wow! Praise God! Praise God!’ And while still trying to digest what I was hearing, he continued on to say that not only I am getting a bonus but I have also been given a 13% increase in my salary in recognition for a job well done and for the recent promotion to a regional position. ‘Hallelujah! Praise the Name of the Lord.’ I said to myself. ‘Thank You Lord because I have more to give’.
Giving is full circle when the one who receives the blessing blesses others by channeling what has been received to others. Then in due course, the blessing comes back to you not once, not twice, not thrice but a hundred fold – pressed down shaken together and running over – that there will be no more room to contain. Just like fetching water. When your bucket is full, you have to empty it so that you would be able to fill it up again. Galatians 6:9 says ‘Let us not become weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we don’t give up.’ So don’t give up brothers and sisters. Continue and stand firm. Press on towards our goal. I encourage you to support what we have started with Hope Philippines project.
I have already mentioned this in my previous testimony but I will say this again and I hope that your hearts will be awakened to the call that the Lord has given us. To each of us, God gives blessed opportunities. Solomon’s prayer to God is to teach us to number our days. Use them wisely, grab the opportunity, redeem the time. Give to those who are in need without a sigh. Learn to be open-handed. Sing our song. Share our faith and serve with all our hearts. It does not matter how little or how big we give. What matters is the little unknown acts of kindness and love that we show to all who cross our way. Joy is obtained not because we do great things but because we do small things with great love. Let us accept the call that God has given us. Now is the time to fulfill that call for we may never pass that way again.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN.
Be joyful always. Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Firstly, I’d like to thank God for the life that He has given me. God has given me wonderful parents and sisters who are always supporting me, a family who loves me, good friends, good job and a church where I am growing spiritually. You would probably think that I have a perfect life. Yes, it is perfect because I have Jesus in my life and that’s what makes my life perfect. In spite of all troubles, trials, failures, pains and disappointments that I face daily, the assurance that Jesus is in the boat with me, keeps me hopeful, strong and joyful in any circumstance.
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:10)
One of the saddest parts in life, for me, is wasted talent and opportunity. In the mission that Jesus has given us, talent and opportunity are the keys. Each of us are given talents and abilities that we have to use because we are God’s instruments. We are His hands, hands to lend to someone in need. We are His feet so we can go when needed. We are His mouth so we can encourage, pray and sing to someone who is troubled. We are also given great and blessed opportunities to share the love of God through our giving.
I am very thankful to God for the wisdom that He has given the Agape Missions Team to establish the Hope Philippines project. I believe that this is one of the best projects that Agape has undertaken. Through this, each one of us were given the blessed opportunity and privilege to give as the apostle Paul had said in 2nd Corinthians 8:7 “But just as you excel in everything- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us, see that you also excel in the grace of giving."
Last month, as the Lord willed, I had another opportunity to go back home with my eldest son Ronjie to meet his fiancée’s parents in Cebu. It was truly a great and wonderful experience for me. I had a great time with Ronjie and Remz. I enjoyed our mountain trek and from the top of the mountain, I’ve seen the spectacular view of the expanse of the sea and vegetation below. God’s creation is truly amazing. It is so different when you only see it in movies or pictures but the real thing is just magnificent. It was a very short holiday, but I would say that no time was wasted. I was able to visit my Lola Juaning, 91 years old and now sickly. She is my spiritual mother, she was the one who brought me to this faith. I also had a great time with my Kuya Teddy, my cousin who is almost a brother to me. We grew up together in the care of our Lola. We have not seen each other for almost 25 years ane we promised ourselves that there is no way in the world that we won’t see each other at least before one of us is taken by the Lord. I also had a great time with my heart child Aaliya and am still hoping that God will make a way and grant our desire to get her in God’s perfect time. I also had the chance to share God’s word with my relatives and friends encouraging them to keep the faith, not to give up because our hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ. But more than this was the opportunity to visit our sister church in Novaliches – the Foundation of Truth Christian Church and meet with our sponsored children and their parents. It was a Sunday when we went there. After the church service, Ate Glo and Ps. Ferdie helped us gather the children along with their parents and shared with them our gifts that we have prepared for them.
It is very rewarding to know that they are able to go to school, their needs are met and that they are growing in the knowledge of our Lord. I was also very happy to see Princess, one of those who I sponsored and has now graduated from college. She is now employed and also a ministry worker in the church. Nothing can be compared to the joy that one feels when you know that someone was able to fulfill his dreams because you decided to give a portion of what you have. Becoming God’s miracle to someone is a great gift – an indescribable gift. Give and give love unconditionally. Through generosity, through our giving, we become God’s miracle to someone.
I also would like to share this incident that happened to us while shopping in Baclaran. It was very hot that day and I needed a drink. My cousin and I went inside a grocery shop to buy drinks. Beside the freezer stood a woman with her three children. They were looking at the ice creams and probably looking for the cheapest ice cream to buy. I was just observing them. One of the children pointed indicating to her mom what she wanted. Maybe the mom did not have enough money. As they were about to leave, I approached the children and asked which ice cream they like. I gave the woman money and told her to buy ice cream for her children. She was hesitant at first but then gladly accepted and thanked me. My cousin asked if I knew them but I told her no. She then asked why I gave them money. I just told her so that they can buy ice cream.
Giving is also a form of evangelism. To a person who is depressed, needy, lonely, discouraged or just someone who wanted ice cream, your help, your words of encouragement, your smile lights a fire of hope in their hearts that God is at work, that God knows their needs and that God answers even when you do not have money to buy ice cream. Those people whom we do not know but whose hearts we touch are our ‘ends of the earth’.
Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be poured into our lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measure to you. (Luke 6:38)
When I came back from my holidays, piles of work were waiting. There were hundreds of emails that I needed to respond to and a meeting with my manager to attend on that same day. During the meeting, we had the usual ‘how’s everything’ stuff and how my holiday was. He asked me if I got his email. I told him that I have not come across it yet as I have hundreds to open. And then he said that the management of UTi has decided to give me a bonus due to excellent performance. I did not know what to say. All I was able to utter was, ‘Wow! Praise God! Praise God!’ And while still trying to digest what I was hearing, he continued on to say that not only I am getting a bonus but I have also been given a 13% increase in my salary in recognition for a job well done and for the recent promotion to a regional position. ‘Hallelujah! Praise the Name of the Lord.’ I said to myself. ‘Thank You Lord because I have more to give’.
Giving is full circle when the one who receives the blessing blesses others by channeling what has been received to others. Then in due course, the blessing comes back to you not once, not twice, not thrice but a hundred fold – pressed down shaken together and running over – that there will be no more room to contain. Just like fetching water. When your bucket is full, you have to empty it so that you would be able to fill it up again. Galatians 6:9 says ‘Let us not become weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we don’t give up.’ So don’t give up brothers and sisters. Continue and stand firm. Press on towards our goal. I encourage you to support what we have started with Hope Philippines project.
I have already mentioned this in my previous testimony but I will say this again and I hope that your hearts will be awakened to the call that the Lord has given us. To each of us, God gives blessed opportunities. Solomon’s prayer to God is to teach us to number our days. Use them wisely, grab the opportunity, redeem the time. Give to those who are in need without a sigh. Learn to be open-handed. Sing our song. Share our faith and serve with all our hearts. It does not matter how little or how big we give. What matters is the little unknown acts of kindness and love that we show to all who cross our way. Joy is obtained not because we do great things but because we do small things with great love. Let us accept the call that God has given us. Now is the time to fulfill that call for we may never pass that way again.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN.
