“Men fail not because they heard the wrong voice but because they ignored the right voice—the voice of the Holy Spirit” There will never be a day in our lives that we will never hear the right voice. It can be through God’s audible voice, through the inner voice, through our conscience, through our mentors, through our parents, through someone else, through the revealed will of God—the Bible. If we are going to interview people who failed we will realize that there’s a voice/advice that they have ignored. It is not Delilah that lead Samson to failure it is Samson’s decision to ignore the advice of his parents that lead him to failure. Even Jezebel and Absalom have heard the voice of God thru His prophets yet they have chosen to ignore it…the rest is history. I can still remember all the failures, hurts, struggles and sorrows I have experienced are because I have ignored the unrecognized whisper of the Holy Spirit, inner conviction, very quick idea, many advices of my mom, etc.. trying to comprehend and be logical as possible based on my own reasons which I believe is better that what I’ve heard and chosen to ignore… I also remember before, I just love to spend time in the presence of God because I felt so much joy and satisfaction I could not explain and nothing could ever surpassed it. I grabbed every opportunity just to be with Him. Especially during revival years at COP (1995-2000) whenever there’s an altar call, I don’t care what group they are calling I just slipped into the platform just to be laid hands by pastor and enjoy “carpet time” with Him. I told God I don’t want to missed the voice of the Holy Spirit I will really follow it for I know that’s the best for me. So I kept on asking God to let me hear His voice. I am expecting that God will just whisper to my ears and reveal to me His will for my life. Give me every instruction I will ever need in life. Although I have received vision from Him of His promises for me for my future such as “He will make me the head though I don’t deserve it just by looking with my abilities, He will make me prosperous and I will have more than enough to be a channel of blessings, That all things will work good for me no matter how negative and ugly the situations seem to be, That His light will shine through me…” I know He unfolded to me the future He has for me. But I am expecting that He will just tell me everything, every detail that I need to know to experience the life that He wants me to have without knowing that He is already telling me everything that I need to know and I need to do through my mom who I always grieve by not following her advices. I did not recognize the voice of the Holy Spirit thru her so I missed all the blessings of obedience…If I just obeyed every instruction of my mom whom the Holy Spirit chosen to reveal everything I need to do…I should never gone through those experiences… The Holy Spirit whispers to our ears His plans. He urged us through the inner conviction. He guides us by giving us ideas and pictures of the futures He want us to have. He protects us through His words, revealed will—the bible. He guides and leads and gives us instructions through our mentors, our parents, those who are in the mantle of authority over us, those God sends to let us know His will. We must recognize them. The Holy Spirit will not tell us in the secret place what He can tell through the people around us. He will not bypass those who are in authority over us. He is a God of order. He will not contradict His laws.

It was Saturday November 26, 2005. We were dismissed early since our professor for the last subject was not around so I decided to visit the place of my biological mother who just died a month ago from that time. So I went on my way to Pasig. To finally reach the place I have to ride in a tricycle, be patient in waiting for more passengers to fill it up and to wait for a quite long journey. While waiting for other passengers, I took my book and read so as not to waste my time. Before I can turn to the next page, the guy beside me talks to me. At first I was hesitant to talk to him since he is a stranger but when I stared at him I told to myself maybe If I talk to this guy I can learn a lot because he looked smart and respectable. He started the conversation by asking me if I am a teacher so I told him I am still completing the Professional Teaching units in order to qualify to take the LET. He asked me then of my course in college I told him that I am an Accountancy graduate of PUP. Upon hearing my reply he opened up the story of his family since his daughter is a CPA and is now connected to a well known company thus encouraged me to take the exam and never give up. He narrated to me that He has four children and all of them are now professionals. He is a retired military and he experienced all the difficulties of being a military yet he promised himself that he will not destroy his family but instead he will establish a happy and all sufficient family. I asked him of the secret for having a happy, prosperous and successful family for that is what I want to have. He answered me that the only secret is to make God the center of your family since He is the center His will is the basis for every decision and action to be taken. If such devotion to God is obtained then everything will just follow. Put into practice what has been taught and learned. Though he has an opportunity to migrate to US because his parents and siblings are already there, he decided to stay here and serve our nation. According to him if the mindset of all Filipinos will be to migrate in order to escape the crisis here in our country, then the progress of the nation will really suffer. He quoted a certain passage in the scripture that during the Old Testament time (Daniel’s time) one of the ways of destroying and conquering a nation by another nation is by removing the key people, those who are wise and educated from the conquered nation and using their abilities for the conqueror’s nation. For him, life would be meaningless if you don’t fulfill the purpose why you are living. He mentioned that you will never miss the reason why you are living if you are in tune with God’s guidance. Since I already reached my destination, we part ways. Maybe if I was given the chance to talk to him longer I would learn all the things that I should learn for a lifetime. Based on our short conversation, I can say that he is an extraordinary person. He has a servant heart that is willing to serve although he is not recognized or commended for doing so. He is so faithful in carrying out his duties even nobody was looking at him. Most of all he has strong faith in God that kept him going. I do believe there’s a reason why I met that stranger. I know God has communicated to me something through him although I was not able to know his name and contact I will never forget the impact he created in my life. I’ve learned that we have to remain faithful in carrying out our duties and purpose for living even no one can recognize or appreciate it for God will reward such acts even the little good things we are doing. Somehow I was enlightened that my dream of having a happy, prosperous, and successful family is attainable as long as I remain faithful to God. Patriotism has been awakening in my being after the conversation took place. I told myself that I want to have a servant heart like that stranger encompass.

Is this your life? There was a farmer who raised a hen and a chick. One day, while hunting in the forest, he found a nest; in it was an eagle’s egg. He brought it home to brood with the hen’s eggs. After hatching, the chicks grew up together, learning and experiencing the same kind of life. We know that the life of a chick is different from an eagle. The chick roams around picking up worms and thrown-out grains, loves to play in the dirty mud and drainage, which is oftentimes the source of his food and water. The chick is weak and vulnerable to sicknesses and diseases. On the other hand, the eagle is the ruler of the air, it flies freely and sails without limit. It can fly and soar above every storms and typhoons. The eagle eats fresh fruits and drinks clean spring water. It is strong, courageous, and powerful. Why did the young eagle experienced the lowly life of a chick? IT IS BECAUSE THE YOUNG EAGLE WAS SEPARATED FROM HIS FATHER. One day, when the chick and the young eagle were in the fields, they heard a sound and saw a GIGANTIC EAGLE flying above them. The eagle mightily rose up his voice and whistled out loud. When the young eagle heard the strange voice, HIS HEART GOES OUT WITH HIM, for he used to hear only the voices of the chick and the hen. Again, the eagle whistled even louder. This time the young eagle came to recognize the voice and understood in his heart that it was his father saying: "SON, COME TO ME. I AM YOUR FATHER WHO HAS BEEN SEEKING FOR YOU SINCE THE DAY YOU WERE SEPARATED FROM ME". Immediately, he began to flap his wings and started to fly to meet his father. His father took him to himself to be with him forever. SINCE THEN, THE YOUNG EAGLE LIVED THE ABUNDANT LIFE PREPARED FOR HIM; fresh fruits, clean spring water, freedom to fly and soar, reigning and ruling in the air with his father. Like the young eagle that was separated from his father by that farmer, you were separated from God by the devil and you experienced a life that is not destined for you. God is calling you to come to him. Do you want to be saved and be freed from the turmoil of life? RECEIVE JESUS AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR, John 14:6; Acts 4:12 . In Him you will find His peace, John 14:27. He is your great physician, 1 Peter 2:24. He is willing and able to give your wealth and abundant life, 2 Corinthians 8:9. He is your light, He will guide and direct all your ways, John 1:9. You need to establish a right relationship with God and receive everlasting life to rule and reign with Christ Jesus forevermore. Follow this prayer and say it with all of your heart: Lord Jesus, forgive me from all of my sins since the day I was born until now. I renounce and reject Satan and his works and every evil deed I’ve done in my life. Forgive my ignorance about you and your word, and my foolishness in idol worship. I am now surrendering my life to you. I receive you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for the love and mercy you gave me and my family. I will obey your word and live according to your perfect will. I will not fail you, and I will praise your name forevermore.

How to Pray Effectively? Carry with you the heart of God Be filled completely with God’s love Allow God to love through you Be filled completely with the Holy Spirit How to be wise? 1. Love God’s word; meditate on it day and night. 2. Apply the principles God taught you – everything that you’ve learned 3. Keep on updating yourself with spiritual things – Keep on reading Holy Spirit filled books Keep on loving wisdom, ideas and the Holy Spirit- Be possessed by the great teacher. 4. Be teachable – Do not argue with what God is pointing you. Just do what He tells you. Obey first before you complain – you will see that after you obey It is for your own benefit 5. Stop acting like a child; walk with integrity; act with wisdom; stay focus with God’s word, His presence and with His instructions. 6. Choose the mentors who are known to be Holy Spirit filled person therefore are wise. 7. Be a mentor; share what you have; teach what you’ve learned. How to be Successful and Prosperous? 1. Read God’s word; meditate on it day and night; have a hunger for it; desire to digest it completely; love it and apply the principles you’ve learned - share it. 2. Be possessed by the Holy Spirit 3. Follow all God’s instructions, revealed will, and personal instructions. Help someone to be successful and to be prosperous. 4. Apply the seedtime and harvest principle regularly. 5. Be willing and be prepared to receive your promotion and additional responsibilities. 6. Prepare your heart for it. 7. Live a humble life. Allow God to be glorified in everything. Do not take the glory which is intended for Him. 8. Claim your harvest; claim your success; claim your prosperity. 9. Give your very best in all the tasks God is giving you. 10. Improve on your weaknesses; surrender to God your weaknesses and completely remove the ignorance in your life. 11. Work wisely, move wisely; speak wisely; act wisely; think wisely; decide wisely; love wisely. 12. Be a good steward of all that God have entrusted to you. 13. Take care of the things God has entrusted you. 14. Allow God to work in your heart and life. Surrender your life to God completely. 15. Be true to your words’ be obedient/submissive to authorities/laws regulations. Be on time. You have to speak right. You have to confess the words of God no matter what the situation is.