It’s true. With a tap, swipe, and an Internet connection, the iPad is changing the world in how we consume information. Being a Christian for more than 20 years and soon-to-be a decade old Pastor, believe it or not but my iPad brought me closer to the Lord.

Ever heard of the often stated, “God works in mysterious ways.” shtick? Well, this is one of them.

When I got my iPad, I was excited with the limitless possibilities this thin touchscreen tablet can offer. I’m not an impulse buyer. I don’t buy for the sake of buying. Being a technology junkie, I have carefully studied the pros and cons of getting an iPad considering that it does cost a significant amount. But I believe it was a worthy investment.

As a pastor, I do a lot of things. Plenty. My calling is similar to a doctor: On call. 24/7. Without the big paycheck. But I’m good. God is taking care of me.

But, to be honest, I sometimes neglect what is vital for every Bible-believing Christian: a daily meeting with God.

Not just praying a short prayer asking for guidance throughout the day. But an actual allotted time to open His Word, meditate, and pray.

Shocked that this pastor skips devotionals sometimes? Unintentionally, of course. But skips nevertheless. I’m coming clean. Forgive me?

Deep inside me, I yearned to hear from God daily. But perhaps life passes by like a speeding bullet, you get caught in the urgent v.s. important bouts. But I had to decide. I knew reserving a time with God was both urgent and important. It’s a one-sided contest. No debate there.

I prayed. Pleaded. Lord, help me spend time with you. Reveal to me in a way I can understand. God created us, you know. And He knows how we tick.

You know what he did in me? Ask me what.

One day, I woke up, opened the cover of my iPad, and read God’s Word. A Bible App called YouVersion was installed in my iPad. It’s been a few weeks since I visited it. I tapped on the icon and, behold, the Word of God in digital form. For those who are purists would say that the reading the Word of God on paper is the most sincerest way of scripture reading. However, it is not the medium that makes the Bible Holy but the words written on it. God’s Word is God’s Word because of God’s Word. I think there should be no debate on that.

And so I read. For the next few minutes, I read the digitized Bible without thinking if this would be a great sermon series or not. I ate it like a starving person hungry for bread. I was having devotions.

Later on, I visited a few websites, which I know would help me with my reading. Some blog posts from pastors I admire. I watched snippet videos of sermons. Even the simple “Our Daily Bread”, which got a lot of new Christians started in Bible reading became part of my daily regimen. Consider it the appetizer before the main course.

Now, I’m not saying that you need to get an iPad to get closer to God. You are missing the point. The point is that God can use something you have now to bring you closer to Him. God is not hard to find. He doesn’t play hide and seek. If you truly seek Him, you will find Him. And He will find a way to make it happen.

If you jog, use the time and listen to God’s Word with your iPod or mp3 player. If you take breakfast in a coffee shop somewhere, use that to read the Bible on paper or on a computer. Commuting to and from work? That’s a great opportunity to dive into His presence even if you’re stuck in traffic.

It was the decision I made that brought me closer to God. My longing. My yearning. If it can happen to me, it can happen to you too. You can have the iPhone, iPod and iPad but do not have the iHeart to do it. If you “mean” to be with God, then He will take care of the “means”. Get it?

God is not limited. He can make things happen; even using a piece of technology to bring you closer to Him.

So I write this account using the same iPad I use to read God’s Word daily. Come to think of it. It has been a long while since I sat and wrote something this lengthy. God uses the iPad to encourage someone in the world? Perhaps. But that… is another story.

“I’m busy.”
“I got lots to do.”
“I have to go somewhere.”
“I don’t have time.”

Have we all said these statements many times in our lives? I’m sure we all have.

Whether it is going to the gym, losing weight, learning a new sport or hobby or even going back to church and getting right with God, we sometimes feel other things are more important. It robs us of our time and energy.

But are all the things we do important or distractions?

Sometimes, the things we do are distractions to what really needs to be done.

Work is a blessing. But it can also be a curse when it robs time away from God. Opportunities are great especially when they provide for our family. But when these opportunities take us away from our family, then is it all worth it?

If there is anything I’ve learned these past few weeks, it is this: the enemy will send us plenty of distractions so we can lose focus to what God wants us to set our eyes on.

Don’t let the enemy blur your vision!
Don’t lose your focus!
Don’t be distracted!

When Peter lost his focus on Jesus, he started sinking.

Do we feel the same way sometimes when we lose FOCUS on God?

Perhaps, we can do something about it.

Like what I always say, “Put God FIRST and everything will fall into place.”

I pray that you will not be distracted with the things that make you busy and have the time to things that really matter more.

God bless you!

Until then,

PR

I witness how people selflessly gave themselves because they love what they do and they love God more. They understand that they are offering back to the Lord their talents and abilities. In the midsts of the creative chaos, I stood back for a while and appreciated God.

“Lord, thank you for blessing me with friends and co-workers in the ministry that love to do your will.”

I am privilege to be part of a group that makes excellence a lifestyle.

After the meeting, though tired and sleepy, you know that they gave their all and did a wonderful job. I know there will be more meetings like this. Sometimes, I shake my head in awe and I smile because I am blessed to have them by my side.

Why do I share this to you? I share this because, through this blog, I want to appreciate them. Though I do not mention their names, they know who they are. I share this story to you because I want you to know that excellence can happen if you want it. I share this story to you because I want you to know that teamwork can get things done.

When people come together with one goal, IMPOSSIBILITIES become POSSIBILITIES.

And when God comes in the picture, POSSIBILITIES become REALITIES.

PR

Now, I’m not saying that you should not pay your debts or deny the pain or pretend that disappointments never existed.

But what I am saying to you today is that 2010 is a new season for you. The new year brings new hope to all of us. Hope is something vital to each person. Without it, probably more than half of Earth’s population are now dead. Without hope, we won’t get up in the morning and start the day. We need hope and God is giving us that hope in 2010.

Let me encourage you today. It’s the new year. Don’t let the disappointments and the hurt of the past year pull you down this year. Remember that God is doing something wonderful in your life everyday. If you set your eyes in the past rather that God and the future, then you will miss it. This year, I am believing that God will do great things in your life that you will never expect. That’s just how God is. Always delivering more than what we expect.

If you have a debt last year that you need to pay, pray that God will open doors of opportunities to help you pay for that debt. Don’t run away from it. Face it and pay for it.

If you have pain carried on from last year, pray to the Lord and tell Him what you feel about it and release forgiveness to the offender.

If you have disappointments, see where you went wrong and make sure that you do not do the same mistakes.

It’s a NEW YEAR! It’s a NEW SEASON for you and me.

I know God has great plans for all of us. Just wait and see.

Happy New Year!

PR

This evening, I spent the night in prayer with my team members at Rockwell Campus. I am privileged to be surrounded with people who are passionately seeking God’s will. The living room of our tita Olive became Holy Ground because God was there. We prayed together and for each other.

Now, I’m not sharing these things to you to make me look good. Nor am I typing these words to make me more spiritual. No e-mails please.

But what I am trying to tell you is that we need to PRAY.

Prayer is a conversation with God that never ceases. It’s not like a phone call when you press “CALL” and “END THE CALL”. It’s not just done before a meal or before you sleep. Pray not because you are in danger or you are in trouble. Pray because you want to talk to God.

Madame de Stael once said that “Prayer is more than meditation. In meditation, the source of strength is one’s self. When one prays, he goes to a source of strength greater than his own.” Beautifully said.

It’s the beginning of the year. We’re barely a week into January 2010. Let me encourage you to take time in prayer. Talk to the Lord. If you do, He will respond. Those who truly seek God will find Him. God is not hard to find. It is usually harder to find the time for God.

If there is anything I learned today, it’s a basic and unchanging fact – PRAYER IS IMPORTANT.

If you want to seek guidance, PRAY.
If you want wisdom, PRAY.
If you need something, PRAY.
If you are confused, PRAY.
If you are God’s child, PRAY.

My friend, let me encourage you to pray today. God listens.

“Prayer is the voice of faith.” – William Van Horne