Given all the prevailing issues that have come due to the floods that has brought our country to its knees, there is only one sure solution that everyone of us need to understand. We must build our houses on the Rock, that is plain, stable and solid ground that none can push away. This Rock is not dead, nor is it of volcanic origin or “earthly” as many geologists would mistake. It is not. We have to see the perspectives that is upon us now by asking three salient questions,

1) What is happening?
2) What do these things mean?
3) How then should we live?

Understanding the type of leadership required

It is noteworthy to tell here that there are events in the natural that need to be interpreted and their meanings understood so that we will have a clear vision of what is happening or what will happen in the coming times. Understanding is literally gaining light by having to “stay under” and to do that we need to truly stay under the light of God so that we can have a clear vision and purpose of what is happening right now. By gaining greater understanding of why do events occur as they do, we will be able to respond better during the times of crisis and take the opportunity to help ourselves and others.

Flooding and mudslides are common occurrences in the Philippines during typhoon season but "Ondoy" and "Pepeng" brought more rains than the hillsides and roads could bear.

To simply gawk at what is happening and do nothing will not only earn the ire of your neighbor but also heaven above. It is true that the government will always respond late compared to private entities and organizations because of the bureaucracy that it  is made of. Knowing this will not save us, but at least we know that we must not expect that much of others nor of the government but that we should learn to prepare ahead because our preparation can save our lives later. Leadership in times of crisis requires extraordinary feat among anyone and we must learn to understand that there are two dominant types of leadership, those who are good during the times of peace and those who are best during times of crises.

Storm surges, destruction and flash floods can wrought great havoc, confusion and emotional torment that few of us are willing to bear. Humanity wants no pain. Convenience is the modern sickness of man that plague our current culture and perspectives. Therefore, it is required that we understand our leaders, who they are during peace time and who they are in times of crises. Most able and gifted military generals are good during crisis and could easily mobilize a brigade or company while some mayors may even struggle how to put all things together.

Even our president may not know what to actually do during times of great struggles. For example, Cory Aquino is a type of a leader who is a great mobilizer and great leader during times of crises. As I have written in “The Legacy of Cory C. Aquino” (published in Guru Press August 31, 2009 vol 6 no. 9, Tabuk Kalinga and in this blog) she not only freed the Philippines from the cloud of darkness and tyranny of authoritarianism, she also restored democracy by holding elections from the least Barangay level to the municipal and provincial. In addition to this, she also immediately freed the political prisoners and restored the confidence of other countries on the credit rating of the Philippines. Many communist insurgents were repulsed by the army into the mountains as well as land reforms were instituted. Her toughness in the midst of many natural disasters where emergency powers could have been exercised without the least meaning to exact fear among her constituents only strengthened her image as the “iron lady” of Asia.

She weathered seven times of coup attempts during her term as the president of the Republic which was remarkable for a woman to bear the pressure and brunt of brutal fire from the military order which wants to dominate the scene of politics and governance. Such toughness will be required in the succeeding leaders so that we can navigate the path to quick recovery and restoration of civil order and peace in the country.

There can be no compromise. It is however an idealist to require everything as perfect from any leader who would show up in the scene. This is the reason why we need to know and understand well who we are voting in offices in this land because if we forget to forsee events that would later come, we will pay dearly for a lopsided leader who is unfit to drive the economy and government. There can be no internship once someone is in the office. He must not only understand that disasters are coming but above all, prepare during the times of peace so that we can help and save all that we can when these natural events come and strike us. Only the foolish will watch but do not prepare; the naive will continue to watch but not take heed so that  he will be a man “will suddenly be broken beyond remedy” (Prov 29:1). Everytime we insist that we know but fail to truly assess the situations well, we are forsaking reproofs and prudence which can cost our early demise.

The gift of helps

To extend a helping hand on others, we must also understand that we must be prepared well such as trained in first aid, rescue and swimming, as well as carpentry and carrying. If we simply go to the field without understanding that we are better suited after the floods recede and the rain is gone, we too can become casualties instead of a help to others. We need to wait for our time and learn to take the opportunity when it is our call to do so. Though brunt muscles and swimming skills are necessary, there are individuals better suited for rescue while some maybe better simply cooking and giving food boxes in the gyms, schools and reporting public awareness of the situations. Ignorance of our gifts and areas where we can best help can destroy us and delay others too in rescue efforts.

Roof tops served as launchpads for many rescue efforts in the flood hit areas

In the coming days, the gifts of helps will become the most essential part of ministries because these will be the times when the “Jordan overflows all its banks all the days of harvest” (Josh 3:15). These are the times when everything that was sown in man and by man will be reaped in its totality (Matt 13:39). The days of the harvests are here and we are blind to not see that it has already begun. Because man sowed death in the garden, we will reap everything that was sown in death. We will also reap life by saving others because both good and evil were sown in the garden. Jesus became the first fruit, the seed of life that was sown on the ground so that many more will sprout and bear fruit. Just as those who helped saved lives shone as the stars above in any generation, we too will need to see this great event as a momentous opportunity to sow life and bring relief to others.

In every opportunity we can, we must all sow life to others. We do that by many ways but one of the most conspicous is giving relief, food, aides as well as instructing others how to survive in the times ahead. The ministry of helps will undoubtedly be doubled or ministries will collapse because they become senile and callous of the needs of their suffering neighbors. Whenever we stop shining our light and try to hide it under out beds, the smell of death and corruption will take over us. Every local church must now learn to institute or instruct believers in survival courses and rescue efforts because the birth pangs are just beginning. By forgetting to do this many pastors and priests will be increasingly become irrelevant to the times and become good for nothing. Our churches and premises must be made available to all peoples during times of crisis because it is a sanctuary or “house for all peoples.”

What is happening

There were three Typhoons that swooped down upon our country to beat us like a punchbag. The first one levelled to the ground the richest production area of the country. This included Metro Manila and 23 other provinces that were near or surrounding it. Then the second typhoon came to almost finish off what was left of the areas that “Ondoy” was not able to destroy. A third almost came to totally knock us off from where we were standing. This is a remarkable coincidence to simply term three typhoons in a row that will afflict the same area within the space of less than a week! As I have written in the previous bulletins, it is to my personal view that the enemy intends to destroy and bring confusion over all the Philippines by totally destroying the very heart and mind of the country. Once the seat of the government is destroyed by a calamity, it is harder to put peace and order in place because by then, all the people would be panic stricken and confused what to do next.

Everytime a leader is killed, that can easily bring confusion because the shepherd is dead and his flocks would be scattered. Though this is a natural event, these are usually inflated by the enemy in order to bring much destruction and death. Job’s family was destroyed by  a “great wind”, a natural calamity, and it looks as if Job would about to give up and curse God but he kept his faith throughout his ordeal and won in the end (see Job 1:19). His hope brought great peace and judgment to his friends who said he has a hidden sin. Typhoon means “great wind” and it struck us for no other reason apart from bringing much destruction and death. Satan tried to completely destroy our production, facility and goods with the intensity that is only attributable to a ferocious destroyer. No wonder his name is called Apollyon, or the destroyer (see Rev 9:11). He is also called the prince of the power of the air, which is a reason for us to understand that the devil always has his hands on these events when the intention is always to bring death (see Eph 2:2).

But because of the fast and quick mobilization of the different organizations from the government, to the media and NGOs, and the churches, this intention of the devil to bring havoc was prevented (see my discussion on this in Typhoon Ondoy and its spiritual significance part2″ also in this blog). Whenever people step in and try to turn the tides of confusion through cooperation and unity, the devil losses. The power of unity could no less be illustrated by what happened at the “Tower of Babel” where because of the unity of the people, and their single language, they envisioned to put up the tower that reaches to heaven. When the Lord heard these, He was convinced that their unity cannot be overpowered by anything, except by confounding their language.

And they said, “Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name; lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built.

And the Lord said, “Behold, they are one people, and they all have the same language. And this is what they began to do, and now nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them.

Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” (Gen 11:4-7)

Language is a powerful barrier to bring confusion. It has also the same power to do the reverse, to unify the people. Because of the help that was quickly mobilized for all the affected during the onslaught of Ondoy and continual updates and programming particularly by ABS-CBN, it is likely that the confusion and outpouring of love, concern and sympathy the whole world over came upon our country.

This organization and many others like her, did not only aired their concern, but she likewise showed what can be done. Which is a model for how to become an effective witness during these times of darkness. It is also not a coincidence that just after Ondoy and during the course of the scourge of Pepeng, there was a quake in the American Samoa that generated Tsunami, and not long after this, Indonesia was also struck again by another quake and then India has to deal with the worst flooding that ever came upon them. These disasters have one thing in common, that is, it results to death and destruction.

These are the prophetic pictures shown before to the Prophet Isaiah, who proclaimed, “For behold, darkness will cover the earth, And deep darkness the peoples; But the Lord will rise upon you, And His glory will appear upon you” (Isa 60:2). Just as these catastrophic events are happening, the Lord’s glory will appear and abide on His Church for a purpose. All these are part of the so called birth pains which is a continual struggle before the birthing of the New Age of Jesus Christ. The greatest trouble will come but we will hardly see it or even feel it when we are focused on doing the will of God. Those who abide in the Lord will do mighty exploits because they understood that life is released in dying. If we die daily, we too will be used by God to do His exploits on the earth, vessels fit for His glory.

The Church of the Lord will not be found hiding when crises will hit the earth hard, rather, they will rise up to the call and help their neighbors. As they do, they will shine  like the stars above. The Church cannot be passive and remain oblivious to the social conditions of the people, from poverty, death, war, conflict, disasters, science, education, media, sports and culture. It is light to the world and salt of the earth primarily because it functions as a vehicle of the Spirit of God to bring peace, order, harmony, balance, truth and life into this world. We are God’s feet on this world, destined to have our minds and hearts set to heaven but our feet touches the earth to bring all that we know and understand to this needy and hurting world.

What do these widespread flooding mean?

There is definitely no argument among most fatalistic people, that these were the wrath of mother nature to people who have done her harm. But more than these “general views” we have to be enlightened that these indeed came because the enemy wants to pummel and throw confusion and destruction to our country. In my second article about Typhoon Ondoy, I have written that,

“in Haggai 2:18-23, it declares that God is shaking us for good, that is to awaken us to our proper roots which is to do things with the help of the Lord . The Philippines was named as such to prophetically bear the name of a great evangelist so that she will one day do as that great man did-proclaim to the nations His greatness and make them His disciples. This is our greatest call. Because our memories are often clogged and soon we forget how far we have moved away from the Lord, we need to be reminded.”

Regardless of what many say, let us also remember that the Lord would do us more mercy than judgment (James 2:13) which is the reason why this Tropical Storm did not develop into signal number 3. If “Ondoy” rose up to signal number 3, there could have been more massive destruction and the stench of death could have been everywhere. The name Zerubbabel means “son of confusion” which is the main purpose of the devil in actually causing a massive flow of water or flooding in the aftermath of the typhoon.”

“But as we have seen in the television and read in many journals, because of the decisive leadership  of the different government agencies such as the NDCC, the PAG-ASA, Senators and many other volunteers and specially the media and many actors and actresses, the confusion which the devil sought to bring upon our country was averted. It was actually grace that these different leaders of various backgrounds, and representing different ideologies came together and worked out for the common task, save lives and rescue all that they can. For this reason, it is to my opinion that God was more than willing to release His help and grace of quick recovery upon our nation. This too is prophetic of what the Filipino can do when he stops talking and proceed to do his task, his resolve and determination bears much fruit!…”

Because Satan’s fury was not achieved in trying to bring much destruction on this country using the first typhoon, another ball of wind which contains a more destructive energy formed quickly and rose to a supertyphoon category named Pepeng. But the prayers of many saints, the living witnesses of God in this world stopped the momentum of the supertyphoon so that it was down to a 175kph wind level. That was grace from the Lord. In a remarkable circumstance, because we were prepared by what happened of “Ondoy” pre-emptive evacuations in many North Luzon towns and provinces helped to bring almost zero casualty during the first land fall of Pepeng in Cagayan.

But instead of proceeding to the South China Sea or to the Philippine Sea which many of us watching were hoping and praying, it slowed down and then made another landfall towards Ilocos Norte. And when we thought that it will proceed to the South China Sea, it again turned towards Ilocos Sur and for the third time affected much of  Western and Northern Luzon. We are still thankful that though many of our properties were destroyed by the flood waters, many lives were also saved because of the pre-emptive evacuation and the prompt movement, rescue and relief operations. Such clarity and great sacrifice among all organizations doing the helps in these areas are truly heroic and extraordinary.

The damages of these twin Typhoons and including the third one which could have also made a land fall to the Philippines is catastrophic in nature and could only mean one thing, to destroy and confuse our efforts and resolve to move forward. Nevertheless it is also true that many more were saved because we were forewarned of the earlier happening through the media coverage of “Ondoy” rescue and relief. In addition, because the enemy’s plan were made open, this completely disarmed the devil and made a more severe destruction on India, a heathen nation, ripe for harvest. Nevertheless, the Jordan which represents death shall overflow its banks during these times of harvest. We must be prepared for anything. Some have asked about if we saw these things in advance and indeed there are prophetic people who earlier have seen these things. The problem is because of fear of making errors, they did not published them nor did they inform people who must be concerned of it.

How then should we live?

The resolve and determination that I saw in many personalities who helped our countrymen, the cooperation that occurred and the unity of the people all suggest to us that we are nearing into such a time as the promised release of a new type of leadership. These leaders whom God will commission could bring our nation not just into true spiritual liberty but also the freedom that we have been seeking from the bondage of poverty that could lead into countless salvation of souls. Apart from this, it also tells us that prosperity which many among us crave for, so that we can live above the oppression of lack and inadequacy is near to us when we are unified and working together for the common good of the country.

Let us continue to watch and pray that the Lord will release the same resolve into the Church so that she will move and mobilize to become truly the shining light to the nations that God called us to be. Let us also continue to pray, that our nation will begin to move to her calling; there is a prosperity that will come upon us so that the gospel can be brought into the nations around us. The Philippines will yet walk into her best and when she does, she will give purpose even to other nations which are grouping in the darkness such as Laos, Cambodia, Myanmmar and many others. She is yet to perform her greatest miracles and signs and wonders to turn the unbelievers to His marvelous light. Where the enemy hit us the hardest, is where the gold can be found and the plans of the Lord that are unfolding in the saga of this epic battle between light and darkness. We must never be mesmerized by the small respite but continue to prepare our house and build it on a solid foundation as we pick up what remains of our lives and properties. Let us lay a proper foundation of the fear of the Lord that can become the rock of our lives.

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock.

“And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house;
and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock. “And everyone who hears these words of

Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. “And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall.” (Matt 7:24-27)

Those whose lives are built on the rock will not need to fear anything because He will be their cover and protection even when disasters will come. The means of deliverance from our worldliness is to find cover and shelter in the rock that cannot be moved or shaken.

The weapon of prayer

Abraham is a great witness in having built his life on solid ground that is worthy for all to follow after. The life of this patriarch continue to shine as a light to the Church so that she can achieve her calling. Obedience is a must these days unless we want to become casualties. When Abraham walked the earth, he obeyed God radically so that his mighty exploits have been recorded and his life continue to shine the path for all who believes in the Lord. He defined what is to have faith, and he determined the standing of many among those saints who walked also in the path of obedience. Like Enoch, he walked with God and has a testimony that his faith pleased Him in so much so that the root of the Savior that would come into this world will come from his loins or the stock of Abraham.

What was so radical of Abraham that deserves us to look and continue to inspire genuine faith in many believers? Abraham did not pretend to God, this is true but if there is one thing clear from this man, he was a man in the pursuit of God. The Scriptures say, “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.”  By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:8-10). There is a subtle philosophy that comes from humanism, which is “to see before you believe” but the Word of God does not have any precedent of this in the lives of past saints. It is always to believe then you shall see.

Because the foundation of Abraham’s, faith is on the vision of seeking the City whose architect and builder is God, though he swerved at times, yet His faith remained strong. Even his weaknesses were not noted Hebrews 11 showing that his faith pleased God so much that he literally received the promised son, Isaac. His greatest trait lies in his undying faith in the Lord that He will do good and help us in our weaknesses. This can be observed in the way he interceded for Sodom and Gomorrah when the Lord consulted him. Because the “the Lord God does nothing unless He reveals His secret counsel to His servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7), He visited Abraham and told him of His plan to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. In this encounter, Abraham prayed for Lot.

He ask the Lord if He would spare the city if there were 50 righteous men, until he reached 10 and the Lord said that if He would find 10, He will spare the city (see Genesis 18:26-33). His faith in the Lord that He will do good and deliver Lot and his family from destruction made him a type of faithful intercessor before God. This is amazing considering that Lot chose all the best things and the most convenient areas for pasture and Abraham took what seems like a barren field for his pasture. His ready gesture and care for Lot testifies of his pure heart ready to help others in distress, without much ado.

In the same manner that Abraham always tried and gave his best in rescuing Lot from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as well as from the Kings of Elam, Shinar, Goiim and Ellasar, we have a great task before us, a ready hand to pray and give help to others in need. Prayer is the single greatest divinely powerful weapon that we have been entrusted with to change the landscape of the world and bring the provisions of heaven upon our churches, families and cities. Intercession is the ministry that opened the church age, just as the cry of the slaves in Egypt for deliverance brought Moses to them, the prayer of the saints broke through the barriers of all nations on the Pentecost and they all spoke in tongues so that many traders and men from different parts of the world understood that the disciples were talking to them in their tongues, adjuring them to repent and turn to God,

“And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language.

They were amazed and astonished, saying, “Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? “And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born?

“Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—

we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God” (Acts 2:6-11).

The greatest witness of the Church is still to be found in unity or in one accord and found waiting for the Lord (see Acts 2:1-4). The praying Church is still the greatest servant, and the only vessel that can be used mightily to the full extent of unprecedented power because She is one with her Lord. Where two or three are gathered in His name and found asking the Lord to do something in their behalf, He will do it! Unity multiplies the power and authority of the Church just as only the unified cord of many fibers can resist breaking and hold to strength.

“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:12-14 NIV)

Do you need more light? More power? Reach out to your fellows and start praying together because the House of the Lord is the “House of prayer for all nations.” He does not dwell in splits or divisions because this is contrary to His heart. The Father has only one goal, to glorify the Son and He cannot use us unless we come into unity with Him and therefore with our fellows. Prayer is the starting point for any great works of God. Let us pray.