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 Just how important to you is your name?
Do you value your name? Think of how it would be like to have no name. Worst still, you carry a name that your neighbors, or people on the street ascribed to you (without asking your consent) calling you names or aliases such as: “bata”, “boy”, “amang”, tanda” “manong” “totoy,” and even “hoy!” While some of these names may sound endearing, it is not a name you would want to grow up with, right?
Time was, when there were still few people living on earth, every person was given just one name. For instance, if you were named “Miguel”, “Flores”, or “Argallon”, etc. then this name will be unique to you, this will become your personal identity for the rest of your life.
Thus, if you only carry one name, you will be careful about it, you wouldn’t want it tarnished.
It is not surprising then, that even famous biblical personalities like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (who was later re-named ‘Israel’), David, Solomon, etc. were known only for their single names. Until the time of Jesus Christ, people were either identified through their parents (particularly their father’s name, e.g. ‘James son of Joseph’, thus, the common Hebrew suffix ‘bar’ for son); or by the place from where they came from (e.g. Judas Iscariot [‘Iscariot’ means ‘a man of Keriot’ a city of Moab], or Mary Magdalene also called ‘Mary of Magdala’ (a town).
This was also true in our country before the Spaniards came and colonized the archipelago, the natives then had only one name like Datu Lapu-lapu, Rajahs (Datus) Humabon, Sikatuna, Sulayman, Lakandula, etc. all royalty names, very famous and exalted during their time. (Hence, if you are carrying these names today, you should be proud of it, for it shows your royal parentage).
It was only later, of what was started as a governor decree (Claveria Decree of 1849) to systematically enforce taxes on the natives, that most Filipino names ended up bastardized by the Spanish authorities. Today, we still find funny and oddly sounding surnames: Batungbakal, Cuno, Cubeta, Makahiya, Putot, Mosquito, etc.
Even the name ‘Philippines’ was considered derogatory, as it was derived from an infamous Spanish king named Philip II of Spain. A known philanderer, and a bow-legged king, who died of venereal disease (syphilis).
Thus we’re doubly humiliated through our names and until now we are carrying some of its stigma in history. Hence, even in our present Congress, a bill seeking to change the name of the Philippines does not die down. But to no avail of course, because once a name was given – it becomes not only part of your history but also your unique identity and character.
No wonder therefore, when God uttered and declared the Third Commandment, He underscores the importance of reverencing His name and with immediate consequence and finality.
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“Crisis of water, food, energy sources, fish kill, pandemics, AIDS antibiotic-resistant diseases... These are among the concerns of our country faces today. What does the Bible advise we must do in the midst of this physical famine? Cite practical ways we can help cushion its effects.”
For diseases, cleanliness and hygiene, discipline in quarantine; Scripture reminds us to practice moderation in all things (I Timothy 4); Overeating is a root of many disorders, self-control so as not to be obese; Control negative thinking so it won’t influence our acts... Water shortages require extra care. When water supply is turned off, we leave the house without knowing which faucet valves are on; clean up whenever trash accumulates in canal waterways, such as after heavy rains or winds... 
Umpisahan sa paligid natin and linisin; kaso minsan mahirap kahit maglinis ka, kung nasa isang hanay ka ng mga bahay at ayaw maglinis ng iba, eh madami pa din kalat, hindi nakikinig ang mga tao sa mga panuntunan; Sa mga maysakit, yung James 5:15, kailangan talaga na buhay ang faith 
Sa gitna ng dalawang klaseng famine na nararanasan natin, physical famine at yung famine of hearing God’s word, maipagpapasalamat yung mga provision natin sa buhay, tubig, pananim, kalusugan, pagtaguyod ng pamilya, kaya lalo kailangan yung tamang klase ng knowledge at pananagutan nating gawin bilang sumusunod sa Panginoon sa gitna ng kaguluhan... 
Romans 8:35, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? ... For , yet in all these things we are more than conquerors... Confess your sins one to another, and pray for one another that you may be healed... The LORD God is faithful, and keeps covenant for all generations...” Yung pagiging watchful sa paggamit ng tubig, panonood ng tv, pagkuha ng pagkain na hindi nauubos, kailangan ayusin kahit mga bagay na nakasanayan, hindi porke may pera sa kasalukuyan, sige-sige ang paggastos... kaya lang madalas ang tao kahit aaminin na tama yung sinasabi mo, hindi talaga gagawin, kaya kailangan simulan pa din sa sarili... 
Yung conflict sa pagnanais na maka-profit sa pagbebenta ng fishkill at yung advice ng ibang health officials na pwede itong kainin basta walang harmful effect sa katawan, ay isa lang halimbawa ng greed na nananaig... Sa ating tahanan, makakatulong itaguyod yung parang green revolution, sa maliit na space, nagtanim ako ng camia na matakaw sa tubig, yung stagnant water ang nagiging pandilig. “Depart from iniquity and be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work...” 2Timothy 2:21 
2 Timothy 3:1. “In the last days men will be lovers of themselves...” Sa ngayon tuwing may nangyayaring calamity, ang ugali ng tao ay pumunta sa supermarket at mag-stock up, nang hindi iniisip yung pangangailangan din ng iba... But the LORD God promises to deliver us from our uncleanness (Ezek. 36:29) and call for the grain and multiply it...” So ang kailangan ay yung willingness and ability natin to do kung ano ang alam natin na tama, kunwari kung may kaunting land, matutong magtanim, para kung sakaling dumating ang tag-gutom makakapag-share pa tayo, at lalo na pagdating ng famine of hearing the word of God 
Huwag na lang magreklamo, yung complain ng complain, parang yung mga Israelites... Mag-ask na lang sila ng prayer, para matulungan sila kung walang tubig o walang pagkain... 
In 2Chronicles 6:26-31, a good example from King Solomon, when he prayed at the dedication of the temple: “When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against You, when they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and turn from their sin because you afflict them, then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your servants...” Pati mga foreigners, kasama. The LORD God then replied (ch.7) “I have heard your prayer... If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves... turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land...” Dati, nung araw-araw ako nasa office, hindi ko gano napapansin yung paggamit ng kuryente, at iba pa mga utilities, ngayon mas madalas na ako nasa bahay, nababantayan ko na yun, pati yung paghahati ng mga gawain sa pamilya, paggising ng maaga para makapag-ipon ng tubig... 
May natanggap ako na email that says in effect, “Don’t spend all your time at work, go home early, use your time on the things that matter...” What is happening today is just the beginning of sorrows. When it says “Watch, for you do not know the hour the Son of Man is coming,” sakop din nun ang pagiging handa. Maiiwasan yung pagiging gulat kapag nangyari. Genesis 41, the example of Joseph, shows attentiveness to preparation... Practical na reminder ay kung wala pang pambili, mas mabuti mag-ipon kaysa mag-avail ng bank financing. Yung ating bansa, similar din sa experience ng Israel na nag-suffer ng result of disobedience. Nag-disperse na sa buong mundo, imbes na maging self-sufficient, “the alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher, and you shall sink lower and lower...” Hindi naman yun ang gusto ng Panginoon... –
Maari po mag-imbak ng pagkain sa bahay, pero yung tama lang. Pag naubos na yun, saka na lang bumili ulit. Kapag mag-isa ka lang sa bahay dapat ang isasalang mo ay yung mauubos mo lang para walang matapon o masayang... –
Our body is a temple of God’s spirit, so kailangan alagaan. Pag sobra hindi maganda, pag kulang hindi din tama. Yung halimbawa ni Hezekiah na nakiusap sa Panginoon, na-extend yung life nya pero may pananagutan na tandaan kung saan at kanino galing ang lahat. When we pray, parang nagme-melt yung heart ng GOD pagdating sa prayer. Kung nakatuon tayo sa panalangin, makakagawa tayo ng maayos. Proverbs 4:10 “... Take hold of instruction and do not let go... Do not let them depart from your heart. They are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh...” 
Sometime this week, as I went about my regular work and business, I noticed something different on the faces of the people I met. As I looked at them, they stared back at me, incredulous, wondering perhaps why I did not wear what they were wearing.
How real is God to you?
