Work Hard, Worship Harder

One of my most favorite TV game shows is PinoyHenyo. In case you're not familiar with the game, this is how it goes: it involves two players working as a team. Player 1 has to guess the word provided by the host. He can only ask questions answerable by yes or no. Player 2 answers all player 1's questions. Their team wins if player 1 is able to guess the word within the given time limit.

The best thing about this game, is when Player 1 asks the right questions, Player 2's face glows and shouts "OO!" His face glows even more until the right answer is mentioned.

Friends, it’s the same with worshipping God. It doesn’t matter what situation you are in or what problems you carry, as long as you decide to worship Jesus, you glow. You plant a seed of hope and joy in your heart.

Today, we have invited Father Joseph Skelton to lead us to worship. He is an amazing guy inside and out. Allow him to lead us to Jesus tonight. May you receive the outpouring of God’s love for you. God bless.

Jimly,
Jan Silan

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Under Pressure

I’m currently watching the replay of Miss World while re-writing this article. Congratulations to our very own Megan Young. I’m in awe of how she answered the question being asked to her. She stayed calm and gorgeous as she confidently answered, “I will use this to show other people how they can understand each other... as one, we can help society”. Amazing!

Let me share you a secret, I joined (actually I was forced by my professor) a similar event during college. I can’t even explain the amount of pressure I experienced when the judges were already asking the questions and the poise I should project while answering it. Good news! In life, we are given tests in every stage. But the beautiful thing is, when you answer it wrongly, you’re not taken out of the competition at once. Most of the time, the questions or tests are repeated until we learn the lesson.

Today, I’ll be trying to answer some of the questions you asked in the Feast and we will be listening to a sharing of a dear friend in video. I’m sure you will be totally blessed.

Jimly (Jesus in me loves you),
Jan Silan

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Jesus Saves

I’ll share you an old story which I think is funny but holds truth in it. I just tweaked a few details in it.

Jesus and Satan are having an argument about who was better at working in a computer. They were going at it for days, and God was tired of hearing them arguing.

So, Jesus and Satan sat, worked on their keyboards and typed away. They did all the work – word file, spreadsheets, reports, emails, feast bulletins, hell bulletins, etc. But, ten minutes before their time ends, a lightning suddenly flashed across the sky, the rained poured, and the electricity went off. Satan stared at his blank screen and screamed every curse word known in the underworld. Jesus just sighed. The electricity finally flickered back on, and each of them restarted their computers. Satan started searching and to his surprise, all his documents were gone.

Meanwhile, Jesus quietly started printing out all of his files from the past 2 hours. Satan observed this and became irate. “Wait! He cheated, how did he do it?”

God said, “Jesus saves.”

Friends, believe that Jesus saves.

He is the son of the God, covered by majesty and greatness and yet chose to be among sinners like us, with the purpose of being with us, loving us and saving us.
Welcome this truth in your life and let Jesus enter your heart.

Jimly (Jesus in me loves you),
Jan Silan

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It Will Heal

Do you have a scar? When I was in elementary, I used to play with my bus mates before going home. Then, an incident happened. While playing mataya-taya with my bus mates, I was so focused on not being touched that I didn’t realize I was about to run through a hole.

I fell down, rolled a few times, but I stood up immediately as if nothing happened. But then, I started to feel pain on my left knee. The moment I got home, I rolled up my pants to check it out and as expected, I had a huge wound.

It was cleaned and tended to by mom. After a few days, the wound was healed but the scar was remarkable.

I still have a very small scratch on my left knee. Whenever I see it, I am reminded of my foolishness and I tell myself to be more careful the next time around.

But, this physical scar is a small analogy compared to what an emotional scar can do to us. Some of us have a lot of unforgiveness, resentments, anger and bitterness. These emotional scars are not helping us. They hinder us from moving on with our lives.

Friends, allow the Lord to touch that wound today. He loves you. He is the great Healer. He can do the impossible. Receive the answers and healing you are asking from Him today.

JIMLY,

Jan Silan

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Is This It?

I just returned from Feast Davao and I preached the word of God to over 600 people who attended the gathering. I believe in my heart that I gave my best, but there is a part of me that tells me the opposite. Something in me assumes that because of the language barrier, the audience did not get the message and in turn, I felt like I gave a lousy talk.

In Makati Feast, I also go through tough times. There are weeks that I don’t feel like preaching because of my sins and shortcomings. These are the few moments wherein I ask God, “Is this what You want me to do?” I mean, I was really okay in my previous work – fixing network problems, computer hardware malfunctions, supporting clients, and testing software products.

But, God always has his ways of reminding of what truly matters. After the Feast Davao, my friends andI went out for dinner. They told me that they were touched and a lot of people were able to relate to my talk and went home blessed.

The moment I heard those words, I prayed in my heart that from this day on I will not make preaching about me. Preaching is not about me. Preaching is about loving God and loving the people around me.

Friends, I believe that God’s will is about how you can best love God and love the people around you by using the gift that He gave you. Let us together pray and ask God for the direction He wants us to have in our lives.

Jimly (Jesus in me loves you),
Jan Silan

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Bahala na or Bathala na?

Someone once told me, that the term Bahala na came from the phrase Bathala na. This term is used by our ancestors in reference to God being with us in times of our greatest need.

With this in mind, whenever I was pressured with work, I would say to myself, Bahala na! Then, I’ll keep doing my work without much thought and let the Lord do everything for me.

But, let me tell you my story. In the Feasts that I’m currently assigned to, a large amount of money is needed to cover for operations. Makati Feast Salcedo needs at least Php46,000 and Makati Feast Amorsolo needs Php37,000. Overall, that’s around Php83,000 a week and approximately Php332,000 a month. So, in our meetings, I can’t just announce to the Makati Feast Council and to Bro. Bo “Let’s build a Feast, but the funds bahala na!”

Unfortunately, we can’t operate that way. Rather than building more Feasts, I might even cause a lot of pain and problems for Bro. Bo and to our elders. To prevent this, a plan is needed. A strategy should be laid out. We need to encourage tithing wherein people will give 10% to God through the Feast so that we keep Makati Feast running and to build more Feasts. (By the way, I would like to thank the people who are faithfully giving 10% or more of their income to the Feast. May the good Lord bless you abundantly and give you back 10 times more that what you’re giving).

Let’s Reflect. Are you saying Bahala na because you want God to do all the work and not lift a finger, or you will offer the best of your abilities, all your talents, all of yourself, then surrender to God the results?

Give God your best and receive the best in your life.

Jimly,
Jan Silan

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Mahiyain Ka Ba?

When I was still in school, I was a very shy kid. I know it’s hard to believe but it’s true. I would seldom raise my hand even though I knew the answer to my teacher’s question. I was a diligent student and I would finish all my assignments. But, when it comes to recitation, I would show my work to my classmate and let them give the answer to the teacher. I really didn’t mind doing so during that time, because when my teacher checks my notebook, they would see that I’ve done my work.

 

The shyness in me continued when I started working. When there were team meetings and we were asked for suggestions on how to improve our work, I would shy away and not verbalize by ideas. I would just let my other teammates know of my suggestions, instead of raising it during the meetings. But then, it turned into chismis wherein we talked about what’s wrong in the current system and not really solve the problem.

 

As I reflected, I realized I wasn’t really shy. I was afraid to be rejected. I was afraid not to be approved. I was afraid my answer would be wrong or my suggestion is a failure or that my teacher or my boss would just laugh at my suggestion.

 

I believe my shyness was the result of this ‘Need for Approval’ mindset I have. Then I started asking myself, “and so what if I’m rejected?” Then in prayer, I checked my heart and thanked God because I know He loves me and will not ever reject me.

 

Friend, don’t be shy but shine! Shine for Jesus. Shine your greatness. Shine your love. Jesus is with you every step of the way.

 

JIMLY,

Jan Silan

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May PakisamaKa Ba?

 During Holy Week, I usually sacrifice the very thing I can’t live without – Food! Shocking, right?

I abstained from rice, meat, and colored drinks. Believe it or not, I was able to successfully go through the 40 days without taking in these stuff. However, it would not be possible for me to complete my goal if it wasn’t for the support of my family.

Nakisamasilasa akin. They joined me in not eating rice and meat, and drinking any colored drinks. It was amazing! I felt really loved.

But, there is something deeper thanpakikisama, it is Paninindigan. Paninidigan is stronger. At the core of Paninidigan is love. My family has this stand to love and support each other no matter what. We may not be perfect but we try to stand behind each other and support each other in every decision.

The Lord has Paninidiganto love us despite our sins, despite our weaknesses, despite being far from him. He already made this decision to love you. Receive it today ,my friend.

JIMLY,

Jan Silan

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Filipino! Filipino! Filipino!

When I was in Australia last month, I saw a lot of Australians (Wow! What did you expect, Brother Jan?). I kept looking at every Australian I pass by, to the point that my neck started to hurt because it was stretched so much. It’s not every day that I see people who are taller than me, people with white complexion, blue eyes, blonde hair and rosy cheeks.

Also, it was winter during that time so the weather was so cold unlike our weather here in the Philippines. The streets were so clean. The drivers were so disciplined (ehem), and I can go on and on about Australia’s positive points.

During that time, I can’t help but compare Australia and Philippines. A part of me prayed, Lord, why am I Filipino?

Then it stirred in my heart, I felt the Lord telling me that there is a purpose why I am a Filipino. I was reminded of what Pope John Paul II said during the 1995 World Youth Day in Philippines that “Filipinos are joyous people.”

Yes, Filipinos are joyous! In good times, Filipinos are happy. In tough times, Filipinos are still happy. A Filipino who receives salary during 15 and 30 is happy and a Filipino who is a tambay is still happy. It is amazing. It is in us. The light of Christ is in us. I think we are the only nation that even when we are swamped by floods and calamities, can still find it in ourselves to smile the moment a camera flashes at us.

My prayer is that after this series, you’ll appreciate more why God made you a Filipino. Friend, you are a Filipino for a purpose. Receive His Word today.

JIMLY,
Jan Silan

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It’s Limitless!

I love bottomless drinks. Whenever it’s available in a restaurant, I’ll be sure to order for one. I love the fact that I don’t have to worry about running out of drinks or of being thirsty. I know and I’m assured that once I empty my glass, the waiter is on guard to fill it up again.

You know what! It’s the same with Grace. Everything we have is given to us by grace: the life we have, the air we breathe, the job we have, the friends we enjoy with and our life’s entire journey.

The bible says “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8).

I fully trust in this passage, and I hope you do so too. It gives me hope that every time that I’m in need, my need will be answered. That is grace!

Friends, receive all the love that you need from the God who created you and knows you well. I hope you were super blessed by this Full Tank series as it has blessed my life.

God bless. Hi-five!

Jimly,
Jan Silan

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The Opposing Finger

Among the 5 fingers we have in our hands, the only finger going the other direction is the thumb. For example, close your hand to form a fist, you’ll see that the thumb does not go the same direction as the other 4 fingers.

But, I want you to imagine, what if you don’t have a thumb? You would have no opposing finger in your hand and all your 4 fingers will be pointing in the same direction. Now, try shaking the hand of another person. Will it feel weird? It does, right? Also, the task of grabbing your bag, holding your phone or as simple as writing on paper would be a difficult feat without your thumb.

Now, what’s my point? You need the opposing finger. You need your thumb, which opposes all your other fingers, so that your hands can be used to their full potential.

Friends, there are people whose role in your life is like the opposing finger. They don’t agree with everything you say or do, and would even find ways to point out what’s wrong about you or the work that you do. But, always keep this in mind, you need them so that you can reach your full potential.

As we end this wonderful series, may you realize that God’s hand will always be upon you every single day. Submit to His plan of love, and trust that He always has the best intentions in your life.

JIMLY,

Jan Silan

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Who Do You Worship?

During the Stone Age, the time where there were no gods to speak of, the people already knew how to worship. They worshipped the sun, moon, stars, sea, sky and maybe even fire. It was a natural response of humankind to worship.

Today, we still have that natural response of worship. But the big question is: who do we worship? That question is interchangeable with the question: “Who do you place at the throne of your life?”

The very person or thing that is sitting at the throne of your life is the one you worship. Is it money, sex, or power? Or is it Jesus? It’s really your choice. If you place money at the throne of your life, you won’t really care about anything else but to earn a lot of money, and as a result you allow your relationships, your health, and your life to suffer. If it’s sex, it will result to the same conclusion, your whole well-being will suffer. Or, do you thirst for power all the time and insensitive towards others? Your choice!

My invitation is to place Jesus at the throne of your life. Jesus will put order in everything you do. He will give meaning in everything you do. He will guide you and will be your strength in times of need. He loves you, my friend! Place Him at the center of it all and expect blessings to overflow.

JIMLY,

Jan Silan

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