Portfolious

It is always in the heart of God to bless and multiply us. Only this year we received the revelation of His promise in Leviticus 26:9, “I’ll give you my full attention: I’ll make sure you prosper, make sure you grow in numbers, and keep my covenant with you in good working order.” With this, God’s full attention is upon us, He’ll make sure that we will prosper. We received suddenly blessings as a manifestation of the given promise!

We have discussed last week in Deuteronomy 28:3-6 where we can see the blessings – it is from our calling, purpose and vision.  More importantly, there is a place where God has called us for a purpose and to be connected with the vision. That place is in the House of God where we should all be planted. Like a plant whose roots are planted, it will grow and become fruitful.

What God will do if you are now planted? It is written in the following verses of Deuteronomy 28. First, “The LORD will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face (v.7).” God will put shame to your enemies. They will be humiliated for you will not remain jobless, unblessed and unfruitful. Second, “The LORD will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you (v.8).” Blessing will enter your storehouses – your wallet, banks, jobs and even the church. In line with this, God will only command blessings in the context of unity. When there’s unity God will bless you and the church. Psalms 133:1 says, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is, For brethren to dwell together in unity!…For there the LORD commanded the blessing— Life forevermore.” Next, “The LORD will establish you as a holy people to Himself…(v.9)” You are God’s holy people and you are made holy because of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” More so in 2 Peter 2:9-10, it says, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” Another one is written in v.11, “And the LORD will grant you plenty of goods, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your ground…” In everything you do, God will surely bless it – in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock and in the produce of your ground. The Lord will increase you more and more, you and your children (Psalms 115:14). One more blessing is, “The LORD will open to you His good treasure, the heavens!…(v.12)” Why? To give you rain to your land in its season, to bless all the works of your hands then you shall lend to many nations but you shall not borrow. The way to open the windows of heaven is written in Malachi 3:8-12. Give your tithes. Giving faithfully your tithes requires a decision. Now try God on this then He’ll rebuke the devourer for your sakes and He will protect your blessings! Last, “And the LORD will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath…(v.13)” It is the blessing of leadership like Abraham who believed and become the father of many nation.

All these take place for those who are planted in the House of God. Psalms 92:13 says, “Those who are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.”

Obedience brings Blessings. God had promised in Isaiah 1:19, “If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land.”  We have learned previously the two things that were mentioned here to acquire the best of the land, the Will which is of the mind and the Obedience which corresponds to our actions.  Sudden(ly) blessings come at the crossroad of our obedience. Today is a new day to find out the blessings of our obedience in Deuteronomy 28:1-13 (The Book of Blessings through Obedience).

Everyday, God has specific instructions for you to obey. Verse 1 of Deut. 28 says, “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.” Furthermore, verses 3-6 remind us three sorts of our blessings, first, verse 3 “Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country,” reminds us the Blessing of our Calling. God has called you for a city and your city is blessed because you are there. You are there to conquer! Where you are now, God has appointed you at the right time and at the right place and there’s where blessings await you! You are not here by vote or by choice but because God has chosen and appointed you to be here (John 15:16). Second is the Blessing of our Purpose, verses 4 and 5 says, “Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.” Our purpose is to produce our own kind (Genesis 1:27-28). In addition with this, a CSDM must believe in the principle of seed time and harvest. Do not be afraid to give, instead be courageous in giving; remember we cannot out give God! Third is the Blessing of the Vision, “Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out. (v.6)” Coming in and going out reminds us of the vision – the vision of winning souls and making disciples.

Now then, what will God do? His part is to bless us, and these blessings are written in verses 7-13. So, on the other hand, our part is to have the Courage, step out in faith and take the RISK! RISK stands for Responsibility, Initiative, Sacrifice and Knowledge. Responsibility senses the need to step out in faith! Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth. Bear in mind that there is always a need for us to act according to our faith. We must take responsibility. Initiative is acting when no one else goes before you. Even if they will do or wouldn’t, you will still and continue to do – it is initiative. Sacrifice – make sacrifices to make things work! Nothing will work if you’re not willing to make sacrifices. Not equal gifts but equal sacrifices. Last is knowledge – possess enough information to trust the decision. Know God’s promises and have the confidence in the Word of God.

Have the unwavering obedience and be willing to take the risk, so the suddenly blessings will be experienced. “And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God” Deut 28:2.

Ps Francis Alvarado

Our God is irrefutably faithful in fulfilling His promises! We are only on the second week of July and yet a lot of people now, who have heard the revelation of the Suddenly Blessings that will be showered this month, are already sharing their testimonies of the blessings they have had recently. To date, the couple Lea and Allan Rola both received sudden blessings in their own lives.  Lea has been looking for a permanent job for four years. She was only having part time jobs and sidelines when suddenly, this month; she was hired in an advertising company as an Accounting Staff in the Accounting Department. For her, she could hardly imagine herself having her own office, office table and office chair; still our God made it real. Her husband, Allan Rola, had been unemployed for the last two years after he was diagnosed of a disease in his blood and lungs. But only this month, he was hired as a surveyor in a company and his very first project will start this July 19. He will also earn salaries above the minimum wage. All of a sudden, the couple received great blessings from God. They are living testimonies of a revelation that “Your blessing is at the crossroad of your soul-winning,” since they are both cell leaders. Let me tell you that they are just two out of the many persons who had received suddenly blessings! Bear also in mind that the Best is Coming, be ready!

Isaiah 1:19 says, “If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land.” There are two things that was mentioned here, the WILL and OBEDIENCE. WILL is part of the mind. In John 6:5-13 we can see how God attacks minds. Before God fed the five thousand men, He first asked Philip where they can buy bread to feed for them. He asked this to test Philip. But Philip answered inversely to the question that even 200 denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them (v.7). Even Andrew said in verse 9, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?” Jesus was just asking a question yet they responded with so many reasoning. They both failed the exam God made for them. Always remember that God’s Will for us is to be fed everyday by bread and fish; He wants to pour out overflowing blessings for us so we can be a blessing for others but the problem is our mind, if you are willing. God’s question to Philip is not a question of ability because God bestowed abilities to everyone but it is a question of mentality. This world is full of negative things that poison your mentality just as Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” By testing our minds, that’s when God would know your willingness and if you are willing, blessings will come.

On the other hand is the OBEDIENCE. OBEDIENCE corresponds to our actions. Specifically in verses 1-4, 6 and 12-14 of Genesis 26, shows the obedience of Isaac despite of the negative circumstances. In v.1 it says there was a famine in the land then in v.2 God gave the specific instructions to Isaac:  “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I shall tell you.” Moreover, verses 3 and 4 states the promise of blessing and multiplication if Isaac will obey. So Isaac obeyed God and dwelt in Gerar (v.6). Afterwards in verses 12-14, he sowed in that land and the Lord blessed him, “Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the LORD blessed him. ¹³ The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous…” Remember this, Isaac sowed even in the time of crisis (famine) but he reaped a hundredfold in that same year.

Maybe you failed God’s tests several times. But right now, God tells you this will be the last day that you will fail. Just always bear in mind these two things: willingness and obedience then you shall have the good of the land. It is always the heart of God to bless every one of us and to multiply us! He always thinks the bests for you, trust Him. The remaining months will be your harvest of souls and material blessings. The Best Blessings are Yet to Come!

The Book of Ecclesiastes tells us, “There is time for everything; a time to plant and a time to harvest.” This month of July is the time to HARVEST; the time for the suddenly blessings to come. God is always there, never too late and comes at the right time and at the right place, ready to bless us.  Thus, if you are involved in the man of God in winning souls, it’s time for you to claim and get your harvest. God promised in Genesis 22:17-18, “blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.  In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

This promise was fulfilled in the life of Abraham, all because he obeyed God. Abraham underwent a very arduous test of God. God asked Abraham’s only son, Isaac, to be offered to Him. He did just as God had instructed him. Still, God did not allow Isaac to be offered then since Abraham did not withhold his son. Through this, the faith of Abraham was confirmed.

Abraham’s obedience to God covers 4 truths in attaining the suddenly blessings. These are derive from the word OBEY. First, you must O-vercome your doubts and unbelief. Sarah even laughed when she had known she will bear a son but the Lord responded there’s nothing too hard for Him (Genesis 18:11-15). He who doubts is like the waves of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind (James 1:6-8). Also in Mark 11:23, “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.” Next is, B-elieve in the Promise. Abraham was fully convinced that what God had promised, He was also able to perform (Romans 4:18-21). Remember Mark 9:23, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Therefore, whatever things we ask when we pray, believe that we receive them and we will have them (Mark 11:24). After that, you have to E-ndure it. Hebrews 6:15 says, “And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.” We have to patiently endure every trial to obtain the promise but the good news is God will hasten it in its time (Isaiah 60:22). Last is Y-ield on the Will of God. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2). If you yield to the perfect will of God and not to this world, blessings will come! “…so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise” Hebrews 10:35-36. God’s Will for us is blessing and multiplication.

City Shakers and Disciple Makers, because you have lived by the principle of winning souls first before harvest, now then is the Harvest Time!

Ps Francis Alvarado

Somebody once said, “Any man can be a Father but it takes someone special to be a Dad.” This Fathers’ Day, let’s be grateful to them as they work hard for the family. They conceal all their tiredness and weariness, just to look strong. Nevertheless, there are times that they feel no matter how hard and long they work, no matter how they persevere, still it can’t suffice all the needs of the family, there’s the spirit of Lack. But the Voice of Truth says, this is about time to redeem our dads from the Spirit of Lack!

Apostle Peter was but a fisherman before God called him. Despite his perseverance and hard work to put things into order, he still can’t have the great harvest. In Luke 5:1-7, specifically verse 5, Peter had gone to the sea, toiled all night and caught nothing. Imagine Peter, working all night, he felt tired, sleepy, and chilling at the waves of the sea then caught nothing. But God has called him and ended his sufferings resulting to great harvest. Luke 5:6 says, “…and when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking.” Peter did in accordance to what Jesus had instructed him. There are two things that Peter did: First He is willing to give and be involved with the man of God, second, he is a believer of the Word of God! Peter gave what Jesus asked him – the boat (v.3). The boat for a fisherman is his only life, but Peter is willing to give it for the fulfillment of the Word. Blessings will come through our willingness to give. He involved himself in the man of God so whenever there’s opportunity to win souls, do it. If you involve yourself in winning souls, God will be involved in blessing you. Financial harvest will take place when you have the Spiritual harvest, so be involved with the man of God. Next, be a believer of the Word! In v.5 it says, “…at your Word, I will let down the net.” Believe in what God is telling you, believe His promises, and believe first then you will see – great harvest!

Don’t try doing things without God and never cease doing what He asks you to do. Keep winning souls, and in due time, you will reap. Starting July, there will be a great and suddenly blessings! Believe it; remember to have a great harvest:  we need God, we need His Word!

Ps Francis Alvarado

Have you ever been rejected or hated? Ever been excluded for your accent or skin color, status or poverty, family or traditions? Or became maybe the opposite, the one rejecting or hating someone for these reasons? If so, I want you to reflect with that experience and understand what it meant to be a leper in Jesus’ day, and to observe how Jesus treated this remarkable leper.

Leprosy in Biblical Times was a terrible thing. Once a person was diagnosed by this disease, it was considered incurable and must be banned from the society. “The person with such an infectious disease must wear torn clothes, let his hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of his face and cry out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ As long as he has the infection he remains unclean. He must live alone; he must live outside the camp” (Leviticus 13:45-46). More importantly, they were considered sinners, dying and were disfavored by God. Nowadays, a lot of people are like lepers: hopeless and dying in their sinful nature. Our society then now becomes a leprous world. The Good News is God is raising people committed to reach this generation: the City Shakers and Disciple Makers! And at this moment, the problem is how to be an effective CSDM amidst this leprous world.

The answer is found on how Jesus treated the leper man in Mark 9:40-41, “Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”  Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.” However let’s first take a look at the leper man. In verse 40, he implored, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” This statement is remarkable for its faith. It refers not to question God’s ability, Jesus is able to Heal, after all He is the Son of God but our faith often doesn’t extend to the hardest situations. Just believe God’s promises and have great faith. Knowing Jesus’ response in v.41, “…He was moved with compassion….” Foremost, have a compassionate heart. Notice Jesus in Matthew 9:36, “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary^[f] and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” The lack of compassion is the reason why many Christians do not actively seek to save others because compassion is envisioning what will happen to people if they do not receive Jesus in their hearts. Afterwards, Jesus stretched out His hand touched him, thus we need to touch the hearts of the people.  People do avoid lepers because they believe it is contagious and for a Jew, touching a leper will defile him. But Jesus acted differently. Instead He held out His hand and touched him. Don’t be afraid of this leprous world, it truly needs people who will reach them and touch their hearts. Finally, when Jesus said, “I am willing; be cleansed,” He verbalized what was in His heart so us we. Visibly verbalize the word of God and His promises – healing, provisions and a lot more because it will give hope to this dying world.

The question now is that are you willing to be used by God in reaching this leprous world? Learn by heart that, “If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land” (Isaiah 1:19). May the burning compassion of the Lord Jesus Christ, be burned in our hearts as City Shakers and Disciple Makers!

Ps Francis Alvarado

One characteristic of a great runner is a good finisher. He stays on track and not gives up. He is determined to reach his goal – the finish line. Likewise, a City Shaker and a Disciple Maker must also be a good finisher, for only at the finish line you will receive great rewards. Like Apostle Paul who once said in 2 Tim 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Looking at Apostle Paul’s life, before his Encounter with God, he has lots of things he can be proud of. He was a Hebrew of the Hebrews, concerning the law, a Pharisee, persecuting the church, which is blameless in the law. But he then counted all these loss for Christ that he may gain Christ and he be found on Him not having his own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith (Phil 3:4-11). He then pressed on toward the goal! (Phil 3:12-14)

There are five distinctive characteristics of a good finisher revealed by Paul’s life written in 2 Cor. 5:14-21. First is having the radical motive – the love of God compels you to do (v.14). It is all about the love of God, if this compels you, there’s no room for excuses. Colossians 3:23 says that whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. Next, is having the radical mindset –looking at things the way God sees them (v.16). Even in the darkest situation, think radically because there is always a good side. What you think determines your actions and your actions are based on your mindset but if you don’t have the mind setting hence, you don’t have actions. A man or a woman who experienced radical moments is the third one (v.17). He knows very well what Christ Jesus has done in the Cross of Calvary and experienced life transformation in every day. A Christian with a testimony is never ashamed to share it and the Good News because he experienced radical change. Fourth is a man or a woman who receives the ministry radically – ministry as a God-given opportunity to serve Him and people (v.18). God has bestowed each one talent and gifts and our gift back to God is to use those talents for His glory. Die empty in a way that every time you give your service to God you’re giving your BEST! Last is being a radical messenger of God – an ambassador of God (v.20).An ambassador is not entitled to speak of his own opinion but of the one who sent him like Jesus from His Father, every time He speaks, He speaks life. You are Christ’s ambassador but the question is do they know you as such?

Every CSDM are not just good starters but also good finisher. Like Paul, having these characteristics will let you finish the race while enjoying and enduring every obstacle that you will encounter, remember only at the finish line that you will receive great rewards. So, fight a good fight, finish the race and keep the faith!

A great number of persons collected together are called MULTITUDE; yet each person can be a multitude because God sees everyone as it is. Even if it is naturally impossible, however, it is only by faith that you become a multitude as you receive it as a promise of God in Genesis 12:2-3. 13:14-18, 22:17.

Now, every City Shakers and Disciple Makers must start to believe that we can create an impact and become multitude. What you believe determines who you’ll become so having the right mindset is essential. Herewith, every CSDM must believe to Six Truths. First, believe that multitude is still possible today. No matter how arduous you think it may be in this generation, it is still possible, just believe! “But their descendants had many children and grandchildren’s, in fact; they multiplied so quickly that they soon filled the land.” – Exodus 1:7 (NLT) Second, CSDM must believe that multitude is the Work of God. Multitude never comes in our own way, method and strategy but only God gives it. It is His own work, so believe, ask and never cease praying. “The Lord your God has multiplied you, and behold, you are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude!” – Deut 1:10 (NASB) Next, CSDM must believe that multitude is God’s model! Even in the Old Testament we have the 12 tribes of Israel and 12 disciples in the New Testament, thereby today; we can have our 12 and become multitude. Truly even from the start, the heart of God is to reach our generation. “The word of God increased and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly!” – Acts 6:7 (KJV) Then, CSDM must believe that multitude brings honor to God. Otherwise, if we don’t multiply, we dishonor Him and we’ll be disqualified to receive the blessings. Thus, be fruitful and glorify our God. “Lord you multiplied the number of your people, you multiplied them and brought Honor to Yourself!”– Isaiah 26:15 (NCV) Followed by believing that multitude begins by exponential thinking! In mathematics, a number multiplied to zero is zero, and a number multiplied to one remains the same. So never limit yourself with a certain number, multiply to the nth power and grow to be a multitude! “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left.” – Isaiah 54:2-3 (NIV) “Lord, I have heard the news about you: I am amazed at what you have done. Lord, do great things once again in our time, make those things happen again in our own days! – Habb. 3:2 (NCV) Last, learn by heart that the secret for multitude is Believing God for BIG things! “..According to your faith will it be done to you! – Matthew 9:29 (NIV) *When a believing person prays, great things happen!” – James 5:16 (NCV) Start to believe God for BIG things!

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind; have the above mindset. G12 vision must have great doing not just great saying. It’s time for you to rise up and shine hence, live, walk and run with the vision!

A healthy self-image is one of the key factors in the success and happiness of any individual. You will probably speak, act and react as the person you think you are, for as he thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7). Hence, start seeing yourself as God sees you, for He sees you – every City Shaker and Disciple Maker a Multitude!

Isaiah 51:2 says, “Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who gave birth to you in pain, when he was but one I called him, then I blessed him and multiplied him.” First point is the abundant blessings and multiplication starts when you understand that you are called by God. Now, do you know personally that God has called you? Next, God aims to bless you first before multiplying you because God wants you to be blessed so you can be a blessing to others. Last, Abraham is only one when God called him and promised him he will become a multitude! Abraham, in spite of his old age and Sarah’s barrenness, believed this covenant. In Genesis 12:1-3, we can see Abraham, although satisfied and contented with his life, stepped out from his comfort zone and typical lifestyle to obey God. With this, we can perceive three viewpoints in Abraham’s life when he received God’s Promise. In v.19 of Romans 4:17-22, he as not being weak in faith, did not consider his own body already dead and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; he wasn’t discouraged. Bear this in mind: God can’t use discouraged people, so like David, you need to encourage yourself in the Lord. Be strong. In Joshua chapter 1, many times, these two words Be strong were mentioned.  When you are encouraged, God can make a miracle in your life. Next, in v.20, he did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God! If you are in bad circumstances, the more you need to come closer to God and if you come to him, remove all your doubts for your doubts will only keep you away from God’s plans. God won’t fail you so trust in Him. Last and being fully convinced that what God had promised He was also able to perform it! Remember, if you can believe, all things are possible (Mark 9:23). Nothing can stop God!

City Shakers and Disciple Makers do not harden your hearts. It’s about time to examine yourself. Rise up and see the purpose of God in your life!

In this year, our unpredictable God is giving us His full attention and great plans await those who are willing to step out in faith and create an impact. Thus, the most dangerous place to stay is in our comfort zone otherwise, you’ll miss the God’s party. Nothing can stop Him in pouring out His favor to everyone. In 2 Kings 7:3-9, we can see how God used the story of the Four Lepers in creating an impact to their society.

The situation of the Four Lepers can be described to be extremely difficult. During that time, they are experiencing great famine, pressure of being in the verge of war and personal problems. Plus the fact that leprous men are always isolated. Now how did they create an impact? It began firstly when they reach the turning point of their lives as they started to ask WHY were they sitting there until they die. The question why asks for a reason. They realized they are not an accident. It all starts with a right purpose in life so Know your Purpose! God allows negative circumstances for you to know the purpose of your life. Secondly, they decided that at that time in v.4, “NOW, therefore, come…” they are willing to Wake up for the Now and live by faith! Get rid of the mañana habit because the only day you have is NOW! The third is found in the statement in v.4b, “…If we live, we live, if we die, we die…” Life is not the sum of days rather; it is the intensity of your living! When you lose your excitement and intensity you are living in fear so Break the limitation of fear! Don’t allow fear ruin your future. Fourthly, is to attack or Invade the enemies’ territory! Written in v.5, “…there was nobody there…” meaning, no one has done that before so step into it ‘coz even the gates of hell shall not prevail against the Son of the living God. The fifth one is to Moving from the natural to the supernatural (v.6). Sometimes we think of the worst but God never planned to harm us, He is just waiting for you to walk and take steps of faith; if you do, God will be going ahead of you. He walks the path of no man’s land, land where fear has no presence! Next is to Possess the treasure of the cowards. Remember that in every battle we conquer, there are always great blessings. In the last days, there are great transfers of wealth hence, be ready to possess it. Lastly, while the four lepers were luring upon the treasures of the Syrians’ camp, suddenly they realized that they were not doing right. In its place, they come and go tell the kings’ household of the good news. Seeing this, we can cay that Sharing the good news is urgent! Through all this they created an impact to their time.

There is always hope in the Lord. Right now, God is restoring the purpose in your life. He believes you can create an impact to this world so have the compassion for people and the heart to reach your generation.