Distraction

One of my passions is fixing and organizing homes, though I never had a degree in interior decorating. I am happy to help family and friends when they call help to upgrade or refurbish their homes. This time it was our basement, we were building two rooms for our sons. I found myself caught up in all details, dealing with hardware stores, furniture shops, electrical concerns, plumbing and so on. The confusion and noise within me surfaced when I moved too fast and prayed less. The results came out, only to make me regret that it could have been better. I believe that it was the Lord's way of telling me that my relationship with Him was subtly fading away. Instead of asking Him to guide me, I kept moving and deciding on my own.

Are you in the same predicament? Is the excitement of making more money or other passions distracting you from prioritizing the Lord? Do you spend time with Him? More than anything else, we need to take care of our relationships with Him before taking care of other concerns.

Come into His presence now, and receive His peace.

Wise Words: "Love of Christ does not distract us from interest in others, but rather invites us to responsibility for them, to the exclusion of no one." Pope John Paul II

Prayer: "Dear Lord, I am sorry for allowing the things of this world to distract me and skip my precious time with You. Grant me the grace to focus on You now. Amen."

"Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you." John 6:27

Different Rest

Several months ago, I was shocked to hear news from my sister that something happened to our 13-year-old niece, the daughter of my first cousin. My niece, together with her aunt and family went for an outing in a beach. While enjoying the cool water, she was accidentally hit by lightning. She was rushed to the hospital and the doctors tried to revive her, but to no avail. Surprisingly, her whole body did not get burned; only a part of her chest did.

What ministered to me was the attitude of my cousin toward the incident. She never questioned God and asked why He allowed such a thing to happen. She just said that God had a purpose why He took her daughter at an early age. Although she would miss her daughter, she knew that her daughter was now with the Lord. And it was only the Lord whom she could depend on and find rest in. Such a woman of faith! During the lowest point in her life, it was the Lord she held on to.

Are you experiencing trials in your life? Just come to the Lord and He will give you true rest for your soul.

Wise Words: "You have created us for Yourself, and our heart cannot be stilled until it finds rest in You." St. Augustine


Prayer: "Dear Lord, thank You for the irreplaceable rest that You give me. Please strenghthen, me especially when I am burdened. Amen"


"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

The Hand of God

A new missions community was scheduled to open within six weeks. My wife was to head this new flock. We both knew what it was going to take both spiritually and financially. We were going to need, initially, a sound system, speakers, microphones, cables, laptop and LCD projector. In our walk with the Lord, we learned to trust Him for our needs.

Twice a month, I serve in a community in Makati City where gatherings are held in the company garage. I noticed that two or three laptops in their office seemed to be not in use. So I asked them if they would sell me one of the laptops. "Sure," they said. The price: only Php 6,500! I said, "I'll take it! I'll take it!" I could take it home after they had fixed it up and loaded a few programs.

After sometime, I dropped by to say that I'd have the money ready. They said I didn't have to pay them anything! I said , "What?!" They were giving me the laptop as an offering to the Lord!

Friend, whom the Lord calls, He equips! All the glory belongs to Him!

Wise Words: "Nothing can happen to a believer; without God's ordering and permission. There is no such things as 'chance,' 'luck' or 'accident' in the Christian's journey. All is arranged and appointed by God." JC Ryle

Prayer: "Lord, I seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness. I thank You even now for providing for all my needs. Amen."

"The king granted me what I asked, for the gracious hand of my God was upon me." Nehemiah 2:8

Expressed Love

I was in tears after I talked over the phone with my former high school classmate. She was in dire need of money for her son who was in a private hospital scheduled for immediate appendectomy, and I could not extend help. My husband and I were leaving that night for an important out of town meeting that would incur expenses. I cried before the Lord on bended knees to intercede for her need. I told the Lord, "If I love this friend of mine, I know You love her more." I also claimed healing for her son, invoking that by the stripes of Jesus her son was healed (Isaiah 53:5).

God expressed Hi love: within minutes her son was transferred to a government hospital and someone gave money to enable her son to undergo surgery. Two days after, our former high school classmates gave an amount that helped provide for the post-operation medications. It was a success!

Does somebody need your help or are you in terrible need? It may be in the area of finances, health, relationships or freedom from sin. Come before the Lord for He is always open to help you. Yes, His love endures forever.

"Lord, I need Your love that I may be an instrument of You love to others. Amen."

Saved in the Flood

 It seemed like just a slight flood, with no problems. I was wrong. Within minutes the water rose to the elevated garage. We quickly rounded up the drivers and maids to lift furniture, food and other items to the second floor. The water finally entered the house. My parents and I prayed aggressively, even as I felt the water quickly rise from my feet to above my ankles. I made some phone calls, hoping to find some rescue team to help us get out, if necessary. We then just waited it out on the second floor, as the first floor was already submerged. And we prayed. God's salvation came. After several hours, though it continued to rain, the water stopped rising. After a few more hours, it began to recede. By 6 AM of the next morning, though the stench of muck remained, the "rushing river" inside and outside the house was gone.

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13). Though the cross, Jesus has given us a quality of life where salvation is available to us everyday. Yes, Christ saves us from sin, as well as its negative effects in this fallen world.

Let us live out Christ's salvation for us, thanking Him for this greatest of gifts.


"Dear Jesus, thank You for constantly saving me. Amen."

"The good news is that in the face of Jesus Christ we see the very face of God, the One who has decided to be with us and for us in spite of our sin." Kevin Vanhoozer