Good afternoon, Elevate! Welcome to a brand new series! It is entitled "You there?

" Kawayan nyo nga

katabi niyo. Tanungin nyo "you there?" Dapat ang sagot niyo pag tinanong kayo ng "you there?" Sagot
niyo, "still there." Try natin! You there!? Baka lumilipad na utak niya. And we can't have that! You see,
we're gonna be teaching you a discipline in life. Everyone say "discipline". How many of you have ever
been disciplined? Meron pa ba dito na pinapalo sa pwet ng mga magulang nila? Or na-sermonan? Or
maybe meron sainyo na-grounded! Always on the phone, hindi natulong sa gawaing bahay, di na nag-
aaral, etc. You know just a fun fact, the root word of "discipline" is disciple. A disciple is a follower. So
when you are being "disciplined", you are being discipled. You are taught to follow a certain way. So if
you are being disciplined by your parents, it means they are discipling you. If you are being disciplined by
your leaders, don't feel bad. They are discipling you, teaching you to follow what is right... dapat. Now,
God also disciplines. Pakisabi sa katabi mo. God disciplines. He can use people, He may use your
problems. But His best method to discipline you is through the Bible.

In this series, we're gonna be talking about the discipline of devotion to the Word of God, the Bible. Why
is this important? Yun nga yung pag-uusapan natin. And our prayer is that ultimately, you will be
devoted. Say "devoted". Devoted to reading the Bible not just because it helps you survive in life, but
more importantly, because you want to know God more, be closer to Him, and love Him more. You
there? Say "still there"! But before we continue any further, let's pray...

This is the title of our message today:

THE BIBLE GUIDES

1. The Bible guides us to understand God

One very important thing that you need to understand about the Bible is that it is the written word of
God. It is like a love letter written by God to you and me. How many of you have ever received a love
letter? Or special notes from special people pag Christmas party or recollection? It's supposed to make
you feel better! The Bible is a letter of love, not a letter of dismissal pag nagkamali ka! Sometimes it may
hurt when you get corrected by it but it is for your good. In fact, if you read the Bible and realize you're
doing something wrong, accept it and be thankful! It means God cares for you and loves you enough to
let you know "anak, mali yan. Anak, masasaktan ka dyan sa ginagawa mo."

Hebrews 12:5-6 says

"And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child,
don’t make light of the Lord ’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord
disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”

Ilan sainyo gusto nyong nasesermonan ng magulang nyo? Masaya? Hindi naman diba? Wala naman satin
pag nasermonan tayo, reply natin "More! Aww yeah! Let me hear it! Oh! Imma BAAAAD BOI NOW."
Wala naman diba? We want them to stop! Lalo na pag paulit ulit! In the same way, some people avoid
reading the Bible because they don't want to know what they're doing wrong. But you know why
parents do that right? Because they care. The same with God.
Hebrews 12:8 says

"If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not
really his children at all."

You there? Don't give up when the Lord corrects you. But the big question is this: does the Lord
discipline you? Is there an area in your life that God is transforming you? Because if not, the verse is
saying hindi ka talaga anak ni God. And if bad things happen, at hindi ka niya anak, bahala ka. Don't
blame God. Now, God still loves you. But the way He shows love to His children and those who are not
are different. God is more personal to His children.

Read the Bible. You don't know what you're gonna miss. God wants you to know Him as a father! He
wants to guide you! Kaya may Bible! Have personal quiet time with the Lord and read the Word. Iba
parin yung ikaw mismo magbabasa kaysa makinig ka lang ng preaching. There's something about
personal Bible reading that makes you experience God more. Hindi mo masasabi na eto yung sabi ni
Kuya JD, sabi ni Ptr. Peter. Sabi ni God nung binasa ko yung Bible NA MAHAL NIYA AKO! NA I'M
FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE! Mas kapani-paniwala yung sinasabi ng Bible pag ikaw mismo
nakakabasa eh. How many of you nakarinig na ng tsismis? Do you believe it immediately? No. There are
some doubts. Paano kung i-tsismis ko si David? Meron na... Parang ganun yung preachers. Yes, we tell
you about God, pinagaaralan namin ng mabuti yung Bible pero the lessons might be the same, but what
if iba yung application na gustong iparating sayo ni God? Na hindi mo magegets kung di mo basahin yung
Bible mo. And sometimes kasi until you see it for yourself, some of you won't fully believe what God is
saying. Kaya this is very important!: Don't love the preaching! LOVE THE WORD! YOU THERE!? Think
about this: What if the reason you don't believe in God's power is because you haven't read it in the
Bible? Because you don't read it. Kaya importante yung personal devotion.

The Bible guides us to understand God. So many people lack understanding of who God is. That's why
there's the Bible. Don't just listen to people who talk about God. Myself included. See for yourself
through the Bible. And once you understand who God is, true transformation happens.

Psalms 119:104

"Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate EVERY false way of life."

God has many commands in the Bible. Honor your parents, do not steal, do not lie, do not be envious of
other people, do not lust, etc. But some people will disregard these instructions because they are too
strict. Ilan sainyo may curfew sa bahay? Bawal gabihin kaya umuwi ng madaling araw. Bawal ang social
media? Bawal makisama sa group of friends na ito. And sometimes, you ask why and fail to understand
na ikaw lang din naman iniisip nya eh. And the same thing with God. Sometimes we tend to question
God's commands. And unless we understand God through the Bible, you have that tendency to ignore
what he says. You're gonna compromise if you don't understand God's heart for you. It might take a lot
of reading, but it starts now. And you'll begin to experience God there, until one day, you love what God
loves and you hate what God hates. SIN! Everybody say it with disgust "Eugh! Sin!" God hates sin! What
about you? Kaya ba? Sin hurts God. And it also hurts people... You will only learn to hate sin, to hate
lying, deceiving, cheating, ...etc. if you read the Bible. The Bible will teach you to understand the heart of
God. God's desire is for you. For YOUR good. You there?

2. The Bible guides us in life

Maybe some of you are here with conflicts in school, in the family, or personal conflicts. You don't like
who you are or what you're doing. How do you deal with these things? You know, the Bible teaches
many life principles, moral values and convictions we should have to overcome difficult people and
difficult situations. And there are people who think "alam ko na yan." Be patient, be kind, forgive people
who hurt you, don't lie, don't cheat, etc.. You know that, right? But you see, the big question is "do you
do it? Ginagawa mo ba?" When the time of testing comes, kaya ba talaga? You can't say you know these
things but not be able to do them. May mga mindsets kasi yan, perspectives para mapractice mo yung
purity, love for others, honesty, generosity, faith, etc. So read your Bibles! It will make you wise!

Read Psalms 119:98-104

"Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide. Yes, I have more
insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your laws. I am even wiser than my elders, for I
have kept your commandments. I have refused to walk on any evil path, so that I may remain obedient
to your word. I haven’t turned away from your regulations, for you have taught me well. How sweet
your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. Your commandments give me understanding; no
wonder I hate every false way of life."

...

...Read your Bibles AND do what it says. There's no point in reading an instruction manual if you're not
going to do what it says. In the same way, there's no point in reading God's instructions on life if you're
not gonna obey them. Some of those instructions might be difficult.

Proverbs 25:21-22

"If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For you will
heap burning coals on his head, And the Lord will reward you."
In other words, be kind to your enemies. "Huh? Kaaway ko na nga pakakainin ko pa?" Just do it. Not
necessarily feed him or give him drink. Baka kung ano pa painumin mo. Tubig. Galing sa trono ng banyo.
Just be kind to your enemies. Susuko din yan. Titigil din yan.

Some of God's instructions might not sound fair at times.

Ephesians 6:1-2

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (which is the
first commandment with a promise),"
Pinapauwi ka ng maaga ng mga magulang mo? Umuwi ka ng maaga. "Bakit naman po yung iba
pinapayagan gabihin?" Akala mo lang yun. As for you, honor your parents. Just obey. Avoid excuses.
Minsan iniisip natin na masyadong strict ang parents. Believe me. The more you obey your parents, the
more freedom you will have from them in the future because they will be able to trust you more. Does
that mean your parents don't trust you now? Maybe, but you're not gonna hear them say that.
Alanganamang i-real talk ka nila "wala ako tiwala sayo! Ano? Iyak ka?" Of course they'll deny that!
Parang tropa mo lang yan na biglang tumaba o umitim. Minsan di mo alam kung dapat mo syang sabihan
eh. But anyway, your parents trust you. There are just some things they don't trust you enough yet,
because it's not that simple. Okay? Obey your parents. Honor them. And don't call them boomers. You
there?

And some of God's instructions might not make sense at the moment

Proverbs 11:25

"The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed."

Therefore application: be generous. I know some of us are not very generous. Praise God some of us
have changed. "Wala na nga akong pera para sa sarili ko, manlilibre pa ako?" "The generous will
prosper? Ako na nga nawalan, magproprosper pa ko? How can that be? Those who refresh others will
also refresh himself? What?" It doesn't make sense! Even for me! Until I tried it. Last week, I challenged
this passage. I obeyed it. Last week, I was with this bunch (photo of me with peeps in Nuvali). We went
for a morning jog + picnic in Nuvali. Nagluto ako mg spaghetti for our picnic. Syempre gumastos ako
dun.. Then nag-Timezone yung iba samin na natira. Poof! Money gone. The next day! I met with a
second group of people (picture of me with second group). Nag-SM kami for food and bonding. Binilhan
ko sila ng noodles and maki, tapos chat lang. May mga sikretong nareveal. Hmm-hmm! And after that, I
realized I really experienced yung sinasabi ng Bible na those who refresh others will himself be
refreshed. Masaya sya sa pakiramdam. Ang hirap i-explain kasi di nga sya nagmamake-sense eh. Kaya I
encourage you to try it as well. Manlibre kayo ng classmate nyo. Make new friends thru that. Libre mo
sa McDo. Or if feeling bigtime ka, sa Starbucks. One thing's for sure. The Bible and its promises are true.
You there!?

Patapos ma tayo. To summarize, the Bible Guides us

1. The Bible guides us to understand God

2. The Bible guides us in life

...