God is Love

One night I was downtown with a pastor, and we heard the sound of singing, coming from a building.

Isang gabi kasama ko ang isang pastor sa downtown, at nakarinig kami ng awitan galing sa isang gusali.

So we looked inside - it was a church group. They were having an all-night prayer meeting.

Kaya sinilip namin, ito pala ay isang grupo ng mananamba. Sila ay may buong gabing pagtitipon para sa pananalangin. 

The leaders welcomed us to stay, and invited me to take about 40 minutes to minister.

Kami ay binati ng kanilang lider at inimbitahan akong mag ministeryo sa loob ng 40 minuto.

When I stood to speak, I said "Instead of me talking for the whole 40 minutes, would it be okay if I only speak for 20 minutes, and then we give the rest of the time to the Holy Spirit?"

Noong ako ay nagsalita na sinabi kong hindi ko nalang gagamitin ang buong 40 minuto at 20 minuto nalang ang gagamitin ko at ibigay nalang sa Banal na Espirito ang nalalabing minuto.

I spoke on the topic of How to experience a fresh move of the Holy Spirit in our meetings.

Nagsalita ako tungkol sa kung paano gumalaw ang Banal na Espiritu sa mga ganitong pagtitipon.
And then, after I'd spoken about it, we invited the Holy Spirit to have the rest of the time.

At pagkatapos ko itong sinabi ibinigay na namin sa Banal na Espiritu ang buong oras.

Without any music or singing, the congregation spontaneously got filled with the Holy Spirit, and with joy - and laughter!

At kahit na walang kantahan ang congregasyon ay tuloy-tuloy na napuspos ng Banal na Espiritu na may galak at tawanan!

The allocated time went so quickly - I handed the meeting back, and the person who'd been appointed to lead the rest of the prayer-meeting dutifully took her position.

Ang oras ay madaling lumipas at natapos ko na ang aking mensahe at ibinigay ko na sa Lider ng grupo ang pagpapatuloy ng gawain sa gabing iyon. 

She had a list of things to do. I felt it might be good though if what was happening would be allowed to continue longer. So I was silently praying for her.

Sya ay may listahan ng kanyang mga gagawin at naramdaman kong hindi mabuti kung ipagpapatuloy nya ito kaya tahimik nalang akong ipinanalangin sya. 

She could hardly begin to speak. Finally she managed to say:

Sya ay nahirapang simulan ang kanyang mensahe hanggang sa sinabi nya:

"I was supposed to pray for our musicians, that they will be anointed - but they've already been anointed!

"Ako ay mananalangin sana para sa ating mga manunugtog na sila ay pahiran ngunit sila pala ay napahiran na!

I was supposed to pray for our church, that we will experience a fresh touch of the Holy Spirit - but we've all just experienced a fresh move of the Holy Spirit!

Gusto ko sanang ipanalangin na hipuin ng Banal na Espiritu ang Simbahan ngunit ito'y gumalaw na sa atin kani-kanina lang. 

So I think there's nothing left for us to do than to just continue thanking and praising the Lord!"

Kaya naisip ko na wala nang natira pang panalangin kundi ang pagpapasalamat nalang sa ating Panginoon!"

And so the whole church continued being filled with the Spirit and with joy - for the rest of the night! And beyond that night too.

At kaya ang Simbahan ay napuspos ng Banal na Espiritu sa gabing iyon at sa sumunod pang gabi. 

Sometimes it's not just a matter of praying for it, nor of having extended music and singing, because as good as those things are and as much as there's a time for it, they can also override other things you desire to see happen in a meeting.

Minsan hindi lamang sa pananalangin o sa awitan at tugtugan mo ito mararanasan kundi sa pagsasagawa ng mga makabuluhang pagtitipon para dito at ang kagustuhan mong ito ay mangyari sa isang pagtitipon. 

Just really give the Holy Spirit the time. You'll find all your desires fulfilled.

Bigyan mo lang ang Banal na Espiritu ng oras sa iyong sarili at mararamdaman mong ang kagustuhan mo at makakamit.

"And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer..." (Isaiah 65:24).

"At mangyayari, na bago sila magsitawag, sasagot ako..." (Isaias 65:24).

All Night Prayer Meeting

One day I was downtown with a pastor, and we heard the sound of singing, coming from a building.

So we looked inside - it was a church group. They were having an all-night prayer meeting.

The leaders welcomed us to stay, and invited me to take about 40 minutes to minister.

When I stood to speak, I said "Instead of me talking for the whole 40 minutes, would it be okay if I only speak for 20 minutes, and then we give the rest of the time to the Holy Spirit?"

I spoke on the topic of How to experience a fresh move of the Holy Spirit in our meetings.

And then, after I'd spoken about it, we invited the Holy Spirit to have the rest of the time.

Without any music or singing, the congregation spontaneously got filled with the Holy Spirit, and with joy - and laughter!

The allocated time went so quickly - I handed the meeting back, and the person who'd been appointed to lead the rest of the prayer-meeting dutifully took her position.

She had a list of things to do. I felt it might be good though if what was happening would be allowed to continue longer. So I was silently praying for her.

She could hardly begin to speak. Finally she managed to say:

"I was supposed to pray for our musicians, that they will be anointed - but they've already been anointed!

I was supposed to pray for our church, that we will experience a fresh touch of the Holy Spirit - but we've all just experienced a fresh move of the Holy Spirit!

So I think there's nothing left for us to do than to just continue thanking and praising the Lord!"

And so the whole church continued being filled with the Spirit and with joy - for the rest of the night! And beyond that night too.

Sometimes it's not just a matter of praying for it, nor of having extended music and singing. As good as those things are, and as much as there's a time for it, they can also override other things you desire to see happen in a meeting.

Just really give the Holy Spirit the time - and you'll find all your desires fulfilled.

"And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer..." (Isaiah 65:24).