New Year, New Season!

by Patrick Tan

Hi there, a blessed and happy new year to you my friend. The week-long vacation is over, balik eskuwela and work na naman tayo. Praise God for year 2005, I believe that every victory and challenge we faced last year, personal man or as a group, has taught us something right? Ano ang nadiscover mo about God? About sa sarili mo? Kung hindi mo pa ito nabigayn pansin, I encourage you to take time to stop and think about how God has been faithful to you. For me, I praise God for His abounding grace and faithfulness in my life and the youth in season and out of season.

Three things I want to share with you as we face the New Year. First, evaluate the past and take the good things and the lessons you've learned. Modify your strategies that didn't quite work as expected. Second, while we should never forget our victories, huwag tayo mag-dwell dun. May nabasa nga ako, ang sabi "Those who talk about past victories hasn't done much today." Ibig sabihin, huwag tayong makuntento (in a positive sense) na hanggang dun na lamang ang kakayanin natin. Set higher goals and always excel for the Lord. Lastly, of course we must not dwell on past failures. Fear ang nakakapagpa-paralyze ng drive natin to conquer the unknown. This year is different from last year, sabi nga sa Bible, "His mercies are new every morning” (Lam 3:23). Kahit ano pa sabihin ng mga manghuhula about your kapalaran, walang katuturan yun dahil ang taong nagtitiwala kay Lord ay hindi napapahiya sabi sa Kanyang Salita (Romans 10:11).

We have lots in store for 2006 in our youth ministry. First, balik 4:30PM Saturday na ang lahat ng cellgroups natin. I encourage you to come on time so we can worship together. We're also bringing back the band and APAW (All-out Praise and Worship) in February. And for this year, we are going to have a discipleship program. I want you to read carefully. Bali each of the youth leaders will be open to disciple 1-3 youth once a week. Una, we need to realize the importance of discipleship, dahil una sa Matthew 28:19 na sabi ni Lord "go and make disciples..." and pangalawa, it is our destiny, to become like Jesus Christ. And I believe in our leaders that they will impart that to you. Sa discipleship program na ito, matutunan ng isang batang Kristyano ang basics sa pagiging isang disciple ni Jesus. Ang kagandahan nito, one-on-one ang pagtuturo, ibig sabihin mas mabibigyan focus ka kaysa kung gagawin as a group. Ang hinihingi lang naming leaders ay commitment and willingness to really become a disciple. I hope you take this opportunity for growth this year 2006. This is the year for growth!

Patuloy nating alalahanin ang mga pangako ng Panginoon sa atin sa Kanyang Salita. Huwag nating iasa sa ibang tao ang paglago ng ating sariling spiritual life, yan ay partnership ninyo ni Lord. Ibig sabihin, may part ang Lord, may part ka din. We will also do our best to help you grow. Let us hold fast to our faith and excel on it in every way! Walang iwanan sa Panginoon, walang bibitaw. Jesus Freak tayo. God bless you friend.