Today Is My Birthday!
I turn 45 today.
I feel so old and so young at the same time.
Crazy, right?
Because I started preaching when I was 13, everyone called me the “youngest preacher” in the world.
But suddenly, the shift happened. The word “young” vanished, and I was just introduced as the “preacher”.
One day, I was invited to give a talk for a huge gathering of single people. There were thousands. As I preached on stage, I looked around the theatre and the truth suddenly ramming me like a 10-wheeler truck hitting me—“Oh my gosh, I’m the oldest person in the room!”
So yes, I feel old today.
45 is almost 50. Five more years and I’m half-a-century old.
But on the opposite pole, I also feel very young.
Why? Because age is not a measure of time but a feeling.
Though I’m 45, I feel like I’m 32. (Don’t snicker.)
Let me tell you why: Because I still have a lot of exciting dreams to fulfill. And my most important dream is to build 1000 Feasts all over the world. (The Feast is the main weekly gathering of my little spiritual community, Light of Jesus Family.)
Why? I just want to serve more people.
Which brings me to my big message today: Unless you learn to serve, you’ll never be happy.
The 3 Signs Of Spiritual Maturity
One day, someone asked me a very disturbing question. He asked, “Bo, the Philippines is a very religious country. We’re supposed to be the only Christian nation in Asia. Yet why are we so corrupt and so poor? How come?”
Yes, Filipinos are religious. No doubt about it.
But here’s the Key: There’s a giant difference between religious maturity and spiritual maturity.
Religious maturity means you do your religious duties very well—you pray daily, you attend church, you read your Bible, etc.
Spiritual maturity is totally different: It means you love like Jesus.
Spiritual mature people know that faith without action is dead (James 2:17). And they know that without love, all religiosity is nothing but noise (1 Corinthians 13:1).
Do you want to know if you’re spiritually mature?
Look for these three signs:
1. Service
I love this passage below. I’ll tell you why in awhile. Read through again how Mary said Yes to God:
“I am the Lord’s servant,” said Mary; “may it happen to me as you have said.” And the angel left her.
Soon afterward Mary got ready and hurried off to a town in the hill country of Judea. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth.
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. (Luke 1:38-40, 56)
After Mary gave her YES to God, the Bible says she “hurried off” to the hill country of Judea.
Why the hurry?
Real spiritual people know that there’s this twilight zone between your decision and your action. Don’t stay in this area for too long. It’s dangerous.
If you dillydally, if you loiter, if you meander in this twilight zone, before you know it, POOF! Your decision disappears forever.
Here’s my advice: Once you make a decision, act immediately. Run through this twilight zone between decision and action. Don’t sleep until you do something!
I’ve yet to meet a successful person who doesn’t have a bias for action. Once a successful person makes a decision towards a goal, a flurry of activities takes place. The successful person acts immediately.
My Books Have Varied Results
Let me give you an example.
Yesterday, I was in Cebu. A man came up to me and greeted me with so much joy.
“I read your books and I love them,” he said. People say that to me all the time. But what blew me away was what he said next. He said, “Bo, I read your book, 8 Secrets of the Truly Rich. Because of that book, I was inspired to build 3 businesses, all giving me passive income. I still have a job, but I now own 6 taxi cabs, a store, and a water station.”
Wow. I began to think of the other people who read the same book, who also made a decision to do something, but didn’t do a thing.
Why? They didn’t hurry in the twilight zone between decision and action. Because they didn’t have a bias for action; instead, they had a bias for analysis.
Don’t get me wrong. Analysis is very good. But some people like analyzing something to death before they act.
Another man came up to me yesterday. He said, “Bo, I’m still far from becoming a success. I suddenly realized why nothing has happened in my life. Because I’m afraid of failure.”
I asked him, “Have you had a major failure in your life?”
And he said, “None. Because I don’t even try.”
“Then your problem isn’t your lack of success,” I told him. “Your problem is your lack of failure. Here’s what you do: Increase your rate of failure so you can increase your rate of success.”
Let me go back to my topic.
If successful people have a bias for action, spiritual people have a bias for service.
Why is this important?
Loving God is easy. He’s perfect!
But haven’t you noticed? Loving another human being will be more difficult.
By the way, it doesn’t have to be a big service…
2. Simple
Serve simply!
Mary served simply. She didn’t conquer armies, vanquish nations, run organizations, or preach to millions. Instead, she went to her cousin Elizabeth to cook meals, mop floors, wash clothes, dry dishes, clean toilets…
When we reach Heaven, I bet we’ll be surprised at how God will reward different people.
For example, my staff—the tech guys setting up the audio system every time I preach—may have a bigger mansion than the Preacher.
Our wonderful Caregivers serving the abandoned elderly in Anawim every single day, bathing them, feeding them, cutting their fingernails and toenails, may have a bigger mansion than the Founder of Anawim.
Our telephone counselors in our Light of Jesus counseling ministry, or the vendors who sell my books in the booktables, or the cooks who prepare the meals in our orphanages—all of them may have a bigger mansion than my mansion.
Shoot, it may be possible that altar boys and church janitors may have a bigger mansion than the Pope. (Sounds heretical, I know. But it’s the truth.)
Why do I believe in that?
Mother Mary is our model of simple service. She never served in a high-profile manner. She never had a title. She just served.
And that’s what God would want you to do.
At the Feast in PICC, we have 200+ people who volunteer to make it happen. From the Ushers to the Kids ministry to the Youth team to the Choir…
I remember a woman came up to me and said, “Bo, I really want to join the Ushers Ministry. But it’s difficult for me to wake up early and come here 30 minutes before the Feast starts…”
So I reminded her, “Service is Sacrifice.”
Which is the third sign of a spiritual person.
3. Sacrifice
I go to Israel every other year. And every time, without fail, I take that looooong trip that Mary took to visit Elizabeth—from Nazareth to the Judean hill country.
But unlike Mary, I take a nice tourist bus. A very well appointed, comfortable, air-conditioned tourist bus.
Mary had no bus. Goodness, Mary didn’t even have a bike.
For 4 hot days, while already pregnant, this 14-year old girl trekked the Judean desert, under the scorching heat of the sun. Those hills were crawling with wild beasts and thieves. (Remember the story of the Good Samaritan? And how thieves beat up the guy? It was pretty common among travelers.)
She took that trip because she wanted to serve an elderly cousin.
That was sacrifice.
Spiritual people are sacrificial people.
Mary had all the excuses in the world not to go. She could have said, “Lord, I’m pregnant myself. I have morning sickness. I don’t like the smell of garlic. How can I serve my cousin Elizabeth?”
But she didn’t think of her own discomfort. Or her own pains. Her own issues. Her own needs.
She went out and served someone else.
This is real Christianity.
Christianity isn’t about going to Heaven. Christianity is about bringing Heaven down to earth, especially for those who are going through Hell today.
And sacrifice starts in our families.
Sacrifice In Your Family
Last month, I went on a 3-day trip with Francis, my 6-year old boy. We went to Cebu, just the two of us. It was a father-and-son trip. No wife. No sibling. Just him and me, talking, laughing, playing, swimming, and eating together.
I promised myself to bring out each of my sons for a trip like this at least once or twice a year.
(Note: This isn’t part of the talk, but let me tell you about the second child syndrome. Francis is my second child. It’s easy for the second child—or middle children—to feel inferior, especially if the elder sibling is an achiever. You need to spend time with each of your kids. But pay close attention to your second child and all your middle children—because sometimes, they need it more.)
Why did I take a trip with little Francis?
I’ve realized that life is about creating memories. When Francis is older, his conscious mind will forget the details of that trip. But his subconscious mind will remember everything. Your subconscious mind is a perfect recording machine. It remembers every detail. Most of all, Francis will remember how much I loved him because I spent enormous time with him.
I’m a busy guy. I run 9 non-profit organizations and 12 businesses. So how can I “waste” 3 days with my son? Simple. It’s called Sacrifice. When you love someone, you make sacrifices.
I know my roles. Before being a preacher, or author, or leader, or businessman, I’m first of all a father.
Real Spiritual people sacrifice.
Serving others is a privilege. The reward of service is the fact that you have been given the chance to serve someone.
Are you a spiritual person?
May your dreams come true,
Bo Sanchez
PS1. Thanks for celebrating my birthday with me today!
PS2. Remove The Blocks Preventing Your Financial Growth. I’d like to help you remove any “mental and emotional blocks” that prevent your financial growth. Take charge of your finances!
Join me. I’m giving a How To Be Truly Rich Seminar on August 6, 8:30am to 12noon, in Pasig. For details, click here.
PS3. Hurry. Because we always run out of seats. For details, click here.
PS4. Not Living In Manila? So sorry, my seminar is in Manila. But if you live elsewhere, you can get my How To Be Truly Rich Seminar “online”. How? Join my TrulyRichClub and get the audio Seminar as part of your starting package. For more information on how to become a Gold Member, click here.
Filed under: Blogs by bosanchez

Happy Birthday Bro Bo..
God bless.. Muah..
Happy Birthday brother Bo. Thanks for inspiring so many people. More Blessings to Come.
Hi Brother Bo,
I just want to greet you a very happy birthday and thank you for the
inspiration you bring to a lot of people. You are a blessing!
God bless you more!
=)
Happy birthday Bro Bo. May you continue to bless more people.
Thanks for being an INSPIRATION,
Red @ Virtual Business Philippines
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRO. BO!
Happy, happy birthday Bo!
thanks so much for sharing your blessings to us - and inspiring us to do the same. Shalom!
Happy Birthday, Bro! You are indeed God’s blessings to everyone. God bless you and your family always.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BO, MAY YOU HAVE MORE BIRTHDAYS TO COME!
Happy Happy Birthday Bro Bo. Thanks for being an inspiration to us…Wishing you more birthdays to come.
God Bless you…
Dear Bro Bo,
Happy Birthday !!!
May God bless you always
thank you for the inspiring article..
Happy birthday, Bro. Bo!
Thank you for all your prayers and guidance.
May God continue to protect you and your family and may He send you more mentors as you continue in your service.
God bless.
(Jeng and) Beng
Dear Bo,
Happy birthday! I always thought that service meant going to charities, but now I know that helping your family is a form of service as well.Thanks for sharing this article. You’re awesome! May God bless you more!
Happy Birthday Brother Bo…Its my sisters bday also…hope you can also pray for her…
Happy birthday and Happy Anniversary!
Happy Birthday Brothee Bo!…
have a happy and blessed birthday!! May God continue to increase the fire of your faith…
happy birthday bro. bo! May the good Lord bless you more. Continue to be a channel of blessing.
Happy birthday, Bro. Bo! May God continue to bless you, your family and your ministry. You are a blessing to all of us. Thanks for your inspiring stories.
happy birthday Bro. Bo!
Wishing you more happiness and more blessings! Godbless.
Happy Birthday Brother Bo!
Happy Birthday Bro Bo, & More Blessings to come!
hi bo,
in behalf of my husband froilan, we would like to greet you a happy happy birthday. thanking you is not enough for the support and blessings that we received from LOJ family. may you continue to be a blessing to other people. God bless.
Happy Birthday Bro. Bo, May God continue to bless you to bless more people.
Happy, Happy Birthday Bro Bo! Thanks for helping us in our journey. You are source of light.
Happy birthday Bro Bo! I’m struck with your message to “act immediately, once I made a decision” since I often procrastinate my decisions due to the difficulties regarding my financial status. I understand that I shouldn’t allow any obstacles to hinder my decisions. Thank you for reminding me today regarding this important message. I will start to exhaust everything I have now to make my plans happen. Enjoy your special day, Bro Bo!
Happy Birthday, Bro.Bo! Thank you for inspiring us always. May our Good Lord continue to shower you and your family with His Bountiful Blessings!
Happy Birthday Bro. Bo!!!
Happy Birthday! Hope you have a great one! More power and God Bless Sir!
Happy Birthday Kuya Bo!
I also feel the same (I feel just 16 even though I’m turning 20) or I just feel like I’m still a kid? o___O
Anyway, more blessings to you and your family
Happy Birthday Bo!
Thanks for inspiring me and rest of your readers.
May God bless you more and more.
Wish you all the happiness. Again, Happy happy birthday!
Happy Birthday Bo,
I really admire you a lot, you are blessed and I am thankful I was able to meet and know about you this year. Somehow, I am doing small steps of changes in my life towards to be truly rich every day and I am trying to re-live everything from faith to works just like what you are doing for so many years.
Thank you for being part of this World and making it better. God Bless.
Happy birthday bro. Bo! God bless you even more!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BO!!! You truly deserved a wonderful “feast” today. You inspired me doing things that i have never done before…though my TRC membership expires, and i no longer have extra resources to renew, i was able to start investing through citiseconline. Thank you so much Bo…wish you more and great birthdays!!!!
Happy Birthday Sir!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BO! You are one of God’s best gift to me and my husband. Thank you for your faithfulness in your mission. We will always pray for you.
Dear bro, Bo,
happy birthday!! Your article just made me realize that I have matured as a christian and that I am more of a spiritual person. God made me this way so I could be more like Jesus.
Thank you and may God bless you more!
Jonna
Happy Birthday Bro. Bo! I listened to your speeches and read your books, they turned my life around. I pray that you will continue to be a blessing to others as well. Thank you so much and I hope to meet you personally someday!
Happy Birthday Bro Bo. May the good Lord ever bless you..
Happy birthday Bro. Bo.
You are truly mature spiritually. thank you and more blessings to you.
Thanks for the nice article. Happy Birthday po!!! :o)
Happy Happy Birthday Bo! Thank you for inspiring us and guiding us throughout our journey in life.
Maligayang bati sa yong kaarawan, bro. Bo! Pagpalain ka ng ating Poong Maykapal.
Happy Birthday Bo!!! May you have more Birthdays to come..you are a blessings to everyone..and inspiring to us..God BLESS you always and to ur family..
Happy Birthday Bro. Bo!! You have the same birthday with my husband. May you live longer so you could inspire more people. Regards from your LOJ Family here in Cagayan de Oro City. We love you!!!!
Happy birthday Bro Bo.:D keep inspiring. God bless!:D 1000 feasts to come!~
Happy Birthday….Continue to be a blessing to us..
Happy birthday, brother Bo
happy birthday, bo. you are a gift from God to us. may He continue to bless you and your dreams.
Happy birthday Bo, love to read your message in my inbox. Continue inspiring people to serve God. And thank you for helping me reflect and moving me to action. Godspeed!
Happy Birthday Bro Bo! May you continually inspire us all the time. God bless!
Hi, Brother Bo..
Happy Birthday to you!! And thanks for being an inspiration for my life..
May God bless you and your family all the time… =)
Happy birthday! may God bless you more in His great ways! Thanks for your inspirational messages and life’s stories! Keep on touching lives and saving souls:) Godbless!
happy birthday bro! thank you for inspiring lives
happy birthday bo! May God continue to bless u and ur family.. Continue serving God.. Continue being a blessing..
Otanjoubi Omedeto!
Happy Birthday Bo.
You’ve brought the best in me through your topics. Very inspiring!
Please continue inspiring other people.
God Bless.
I hope could be like BO someday.

Happy happy birthday Bro. Bo. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your untiring efforts to bring the light of Jesus to everyone! God bless you more and more!
Happy Birthday Bo,
May the Blessings of God continosly flow to you and your family. This will help you to give more inspiration to many people and share the Blessings to those who need it. GOD BLESS
Happy Birthday, Bro. Bo! Thanks for being a blessing to the world! You have always been an instrument of GOD’s love and goodness! Praying for a more grace-filled life for you. Happiest and blessed birthday to you, Bro. Bo! =)
Happy birthday Bro. Bo. Thank you for inspiring many people. God bless you more.
Happy Birthday Bro. Bo
Thank you so much for inspiring many people and touching so many lives .. . More birthdays to come po
Hi Bro. Bo,
Happy Birthday! May God continue to pour his blessings on you! May you continue to be a blessing to other people….
Enjoy your day!
Happy Blessed day I hope you enjoy. Your ministry has encouraged me in many ways.
Happy Birthday Bro Bo… May you be blessed more so that you can continue to inspire us.
I would like to thank you especially for helping me realize, how to deal with my husband. Inspite of the trials and arguments that we have, we never seem to stay angry for more than 30 minutes.
To God be glory.
Lessons I learned today:
1. The big difference between spiritual and religious maturity.
2. That there’s a twilight zone between decision and action; bias for action
Thanks, Sir Bo. You’re the best!
God bless you always.
Happy Birthday Brother Bo….I thank God for giving us such a wonderful person….a teacher, a friend from a distance, our mentor, our spiritual inspiration, our family’s source of spiritual and life purpose….
We will continue to pray for you and your family….We will continue to support your mission….serving the world for God!
May you be blessed with tremendous good health and very looooooooooooooooooooong life!!!
Happy birthday pla
Have fun!
Happy birthday, bro. Bo! May God grant more years to your life as you already have the life in your years.. God bless
Hi Brother Bo,
From one young at heart to another ;-).
Happy Happy Birthday to you.
You always wish that we achieve our dreams so on this special day it’s our turn to wish for all your dreams to come true. Very postive they will including the 1,000 Feast and that you will be there to witness it.
Thank you for sharing your gift to us. More power to you and your family.
I also hope Bro. Bo….that you will meet someday our very own…Sister Ba….hehehe….she speaks your wisdom to everyone!!!
Happy Birthday!
Hello Bo,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! =)
Happy Birthday Bo!! you have mentored me a lot through your books and talks. You have been a great blessing to me. May God bless you even more so that you may continue to bless others!!
Happy Birthday Mr. Sanchez!
Dear Bo,
Greetings spiritual leader and guru, and brother. As usual, another wonderful read.
Just wan to greet you on your special day. Happy birthday and I pray you have many more feasts, and that you inspire a multitude more, the way you have inspired us.
God bless and thank you.
Noli
Happy Birthday brod Bong! God bless…
Happy Birthday Bro. Bo. Thank you very much for being an inspiration to us. May God continue to shower more blessings to you and your family.
Happy Blessed Day!!! Your ministry has encouraged me in many ways….
Wishing you a very Happy Birthday and may you continuously have many more sharings for the rest of mankind!!!
Just wanted to share with you a definition of “love” which is all encompassing….”Love is the giving of oneself for the good of the other.”
Also……Happiness is being compassionate towards others…it creates tons of psychic income…
Thanks for sharing your wonderful insights….
God bless you and your family.
Happy Birthday Bro. Bo and to my bf who’s also celebrating his birthday today. Both of you are huge inspirations in my life. God bless you and your family always…
Happy Birthday, Bro. Bo!
For the nth time, you succeeded in answering some questions I’ve been mulling about. Thank you so much. And thank you for being a blessing to many of us.
Have a blessed birthday!
Happy Birthday, Kuya Bo! Thanks for the touching article!
Hello Bo! God bless you on your birthday! My family and I will be praying for you that you may always find patience, strength and determination to continue with what you are doing. We see, feel and hear our God through you, and our lives will never be the same. Enjoy and have a great time with the family!
hapy bday bro. bo.
i wish you many more bdays to come..may God give you more years to celebrate your bday.someone like me needs your soulfood blog.may you have good health each day with your love ones!!GOD BLES US ALWAYS!
Happy Birthday Tito Bo! :]
Enjoooooooooy! Stay young! ;]
God Bless you and your family always! :]
happy birthday Bro. Bo..,may you have many more birthdays and blessings to come..,God Bless you!
Bro Bo!
blessed earthstrong!
thanks a lot for spreading and sharing God’s words of wisdom. may you keep the spirit of love burnin’.
more power!
Happy Birthday Brother Bo! More birthdays to come!
dear br bo,
Many :Happy Returns of The Day!MAy Our Almighty GOD give you many many more years to celebrate your bdays!Happy Bday!Thanks for your inspiring words.Thanks for sharing .Many blessings more to come to you!God bless you and your family!
Happy birthday Bo!!! God bless you more and more!
Thank you Bro Bo for another inspiring words to live by, may you and your ministry grow more showing love and service
Happy Birthday Brother Bo. You’ve inspired me today. Thank you and more blessings to come.
Bo, happy happy birthday to you and happy anniversary to you and Maru. You were so sweet to each other when each of you sang a song to the other.
Thank you for always inspiring me and my family each time we attend the feast. I always cry when I am touched with the topics you give us. I always feel God’s loving presence inside the Feast and I carry that on for the rest of the week.
Be blessed tremendously.
happy birthday Bo, keep on inspiring people… God bless you always….
Happy Birthday Bro. Bo..May God continue to bless us..Me, I turned 33 last July 8..Thanks so much for the inspiring words you always share..It help me a lot..Thanks a lot.
Happy Birth day Bro. Bo! May the lord continue to bless you and thank you for being a part of your Feast Family, We are so blessed for sharing your wonderful and fruitful messages every time we attend at PICC. We love you and may almighty god grant your favorable request .
Have a Blessed day!
Happy Birthday Bro. Bo ! More bdays to come… Good health always ! God bless !
Happy Happy Birthday Bro. Bo!
May you continue serving God, may God bless you, your family and your ministry.
Have a blessed birthday!
happy birthday Bro….
Happy Birthday Sir! wish you more strength and wisdom to spread God’s words and affect people. Wish you well in evangelizing God to the world!
Happy birthday to you, my best spiritual mentor…
happy birthday Bro. Bo.
Happy birthday, Brother Bo!! As always, you inspire me immensely. God bless you always!
happy birthday bro. bo.
Happy Birthday Bro. Bo
Wishing you all the Happiness
Happy Birthday Bo!!!
Happy Birthday Bo!
May God bless you abundantly in all aspects of your life!
Thank you for being a blessing to others like me and my family.
- Lenmarx, Josie, Jonnel, Chel and Leila
p.s. Bon Anniversari as well!
Maligayang Bati sa iyong kaarawan, Bo !
happy birthday, bro bo!
thanks so much for all your inspiring messages and talks. God bless you always!
can i ask something…what’s your real name?
Happy Birthday Bro. Bo. Thank you so much for sharing with us inspiring messages.
We are truly blessed to have a preacher like you
God bless you always!
I’m sure there is a great Birthday Celebration in heaven today because of your birthday Bro. Bo - how God is pleased with what His creation has done to inspire and touched so many lives, in so many different ways and places. Keep it up Bro. Bo. Humanity needs more people like you! Happy birthday & God bless you & your entire family.
Happy Birthday …
HapPy Birthday Bro. Bo. Wish you good health.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom and blessings…
Thanks for being an Inspiration.
Happy birthday, Bro Bo!!!
Happy Birthday Bo. May God continue to shower you with graces to inspire people. …. GOD BLESS!!!
Happy Birthday, Bro. Bo!
I hope & pray that you will spread also the goodnews of our Lord here in our place, UAE.
God Bless!
Happy birthday Bro. Bo. You have always inspired my daily life. God bless you, your family and other endeavors that is truly helping others. (^_^)
Happy Birthday Tito Bo! My mom’s bday is also today so i’m hopefully asking, can you offer a prayer for her as well? Her name is Sofia, she’s already with the Almighty.. thanks po so much! And may God continue to bless you more so that many people will be blessed as well.. Take care and God bless..
happy birthday BO!!
Happy Birthday Bro. Bo.
Happy birthday. Good health. God Bless.
Happy birthday, Bo! May you inspire more and more people.
Hi Bro Bo,
Happy Birthday!
May God continue to shower you and your family all the blessings in life.You are truly a blessing to us,you keep on inspiring us thru your daily Kerygma mails and soulfood text.Wish you more success.Thanks and God Bless always
Bro Gerry
Bro Bo,
Your lectures lead us well to His greatness. Thanks you for being our light to His Holiness. Gob bless you.
Happy Birthday!!
Jun, Ivy, Junel, Gab
Happy Birthday Bo!
More blessings to come….