3I's from Acts 3:1-10

the past 3 weeks were a whole new experience again for me. i met new people, new friends, a new family :) it's BUKLOD, a political party in UPLB where i ran as USC-Councilor but my candidacy was not approved because of technical issues.

Buklod is founded in its 3 principles: INTEGRITY, INITIATIVE, INVOLVEMENT. during the campaign period, i was completely sold out to all these principles. haha! there are a lot of stories to tell about living out the principles of Buklod :) the party believes that servant leadership is essential -- alam na kung sino ang greatest example ng servant leader :) if you want to be in position, you must also want to serve; if you want to have the authority when you speak, you must be willing to serve :)

as i was looking for a podcast at victoryfort.org.ph on the series iPray, i was lead to listen to another podcast entitled servant leadership by pastor joseph bonifacio. its main word is from Acts 3:1-10. disclaimer: pastor joseph is not a part of buklod. haha! here's the verse:

¹ One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. ² Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. ³ When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. ⁴ Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” ⁵ So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

⁶ Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” ⁷ Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. ⁸ He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. ⁹ When all the people saw him walking and praising God, ¹⁰they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

i listened and took down notes from the podcast. and as i listened, every pointers that pastor joe was talking about revolves around initiative, involvement and integrity.

INITIATIVE. (verses 1-2) seeing beggars outside the church during their time was a usual thing. to the point na dedeadmahin mo na sila kasi ang dami nila at sanay ka na na lagi silang nandun. but this certain crippled man, Peter and John noticed. they took the initiative to look at him and to listen to him because they saw his need.

INVOLVEMENT. (verses 3-5) now they are already talking to the crippled beggar. it was a shameful thing talking to beggars to during their time. but Peter and John served beyond the status quo, beyond the norm, beyond what other people might think.

INTEGRITY. (verses 6) they were honest enough to say that they don't have money, but above all, they have given what they have - JESUS CHRIST. they were bold enough to share the truth of Jesus. whoa! i really admire that kind of boldness and courage :) God will not ask something that we don't have, but he will make a miracle with what we do have. the thing here is, we all have Jesus, we have the power to make a difference :)

here's the link to pastor joe's message :)