God Whispers - May 30, 2012

There are many bullies in your life right now. Bullies of debt. Sickness. Conflicts. Lack. Disappointment. Big problems telling you that you’re finished. That there’s no hope for you.

 

Here’s My message for you: Don’t focus on the bullies. I’ll take care of you.

 

Your Protector,

God

God Whispers - May 29, 2012

Don’t let earthly rewards deprive you of your true joys. Don’t exchange precious moments with loved ones for work that never gets done. Don’t trade faithful relationships with fleeting affairs. Don’t fall for trivial pleasures that will cost you your life’s treasures.

 

Wanting only the best for you,

God

 

P.S. Your relationships are the real wealth of your life.

 

Daily Bible Reflections - May 31, 2012

Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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Jesus, the Healer

 

“Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” – Luke 1:45

 

October 2010 was a traumatic time for my family. My sister was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer while struggling to fit in and raise a family in Adelaide, South Australia.

I remember waking up in the middle of the night in Manila, shaken and with heart palpitations out of concern for her and her family. All that my family and I could do was to hold on to God’s miraculous healing and mercy. In fact, we prayed day and night, and sang worship in the midst of all the fear we felt in our hearts.

Then on November 10, after her nine-hour abdominal surgery to remove the cancerous growth, and before she started a six-cycle chemotherapy treatment, she had a vision. It was God the Father telling her, “My child, now I’m completely healing you. Now, now, now.”

Five months later, having barely finished her chemo treatment, my sister’s CA 125 test revealed a value of 9 U/ml. An average, healthy person’s CA 125 level is below 35. She’s cancer-free! God heals miraculously then as He heals now!  Eugene Cailao (eugenecailao@gmail.com)

 

REFLECTION:

What factors in my life hinder me from totally surrendering to and believing inGod’s promises to me?

 

Father God, strip me of all my pretenses, issues and pride; that I may be able to fully trust and have faith in You forever. May I be like a child who trusts completely in his father whose voice alone comforts him.

 

St. Mechtildis, pray for us.

Daily Bible Reflections - May 30, 2012

CLARITY

 

“We are going up to Jerusalem where the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests…” – Mark 10:33

 

The US gymnastics team failed to win a medal at the World Championships in 1983. Still, they set a goal to win the gold at the 1984 Olympics. They trained hard and, with utmost clarity, even rehearsed the Olympic award ceremonies at every practice session. In 1984, they took home the gold.

Young Les Brown was clear in his mind that he would someday be a popular Miami disc jockey. Every night, he would set up his imaginary DJ booth and practice. Against all odds, his dream to be a DJ came true. Today, he is one of the most sought after motivational speakers helping people to achieve their goals.

When Jennifer Sharpe was in third grade, somebody sold 10,176 boxes of Girl Scout  cookies. “Someday that will be me!” she said. Seven years later, at 15, Jennifer sold 17,323 boxes and holds the Guinness world record.

In today’s Gospel, the Lord told His disciples what He would have to go through when they arrive in Jerusalem — the suffering and pain, the price He would pay for our salvation and the ultimate victory. From day one, His mission was clear. May the Lord grant us clarity of purpose and resolve in our hearts. Ariel Driz (adriz77@yahoo.com)

 

REFLECTION:

Have you prayed to the Lord about your mission? Have you prayed for clarity?

 

Lord Jesus, grant me absolute clarity to know and pursue Your purpose and mission for me. Amen.

 

St. Gregory VII, pray for us.

 

Daily Reflections- May 24, 2012

THE ONE YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT

 

“I wish that where I am they also may be with me…” – John 17:24

 

I once heard a story about a girl who was having a hard time choosing between her two suitors.

She consulted her father and laid down the pros and cons of each suitor. In the end, the girl said, “Dad, I can live the rest of my life with either of them. Please help me choose.”

To this the father replied, “Choose not who you can live with, but who you cannot live without.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus already knows that He would die for us so that we could enter the kingdom of heaven. But that is not enough for Him. He goes the extra step and begs the Father to allow us all to enter heaven and experience God’s glory with Him.

It makes me think that Jesus died on the cross not only because He alone could save us, but because He couldn’t bear not saving us. Pepper Bruce (pepper.bruce@gmail.com)

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REFLECTION:

Do I truly appreciate the gift that Jesus gave to me through the Cross? How have I shown my appreciation?

 

Father, as Jesus died on the cross to save me from my sins, let me realize that I cannot live without His love and His saving power.

 

St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi, pray for us.

God Whispers - May 23, 2012

Don’t desire blessings only for yourself. There is more joy in giving than in receiving. Think of yourself as a conduit of My blessings to others and abundance will inundate your life. 

 

Using You,

God

 

P.S. Imagine how fertile and fruitful the banks of a rushing river are. So shall your life be when you are My channel of blessings.

Daily Bible Reflections - May 23, 2012

AT DEATH’S DOOR

 

By now they were all in tears; they put their arms round Paul’s neck and kissed him. – Acts 20:37

 

Have you ever watched someone die? I have. My father died of cancer and I had to watch helplessly while he struggled for his last remaining breath.

Every day, we would visit the hospital thinking, “Is this going to be the day?” We would catch up on the things that we wanted to say and shower him with all the love that we could express.

Living a step away from death’s door has a way of putting things in perspective. You take the time to give that extra hug. You find it in your heart to pardon an offense. You verbalize your feelings and clear up misunderstandings. You learn to ask, “What is the meaning of my life?”

To make sense of death, we have to give value to our life. Our instinct is to protect our own interest, sometimes at the cost of others. If we keep preserving ourselves then our efforts will fail once we inevitably die. St. Paul reminds us to keep giving, because we can find meaning by serving others as Christ did. Only then can we discover true happiness and welcome death with open arms. Cecil Lim (cez_lim@yahoo.com)

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REFLECTION:

“When you wonder about the mystery of yourself, look to Christ, who gives you the meaning of life.” (Blessed John Paul II)

 

Lord Jesus, help me to conquer death by offering You my life.                                                                              

 

St. Felix of Cantalice, pray for us.

Daily Bible Reflections - May 22, 2012

Preaching Fearlessly

 

“For I did not shrink from proclaiming to you the entire plan of God.” – Acts 20:27

 

I can’t help but admire our priests and bishops as they continue to fight against the passage of the RH Bill. Their teachings are not only opposed by a number of congressmen, senators and non-Catholics but even by fellow Catholics. I remember a priest’s homily wherein he said that many Catholics nowadays rebel against the Catholic Church because they don’t have the discipline to live out God’s teachings on sexuality and marriage. It would have been easier for our Church leaders to compromise their teachings and beliefs so as to please the government and other Christians who approve of the RH Bill. But they choose to follow Jesus’ footsteps and walk in obedience to the will of our heavenly Father.

Bombarded by persecution from all sides, like St. Paul, they do not shrink from proclaiming the truth and God’s perfect plan for the family.

It takes a lot of courage to stand up against powerful people and defy popular philosophy. I pray that more of us Catholics would follow their example and fearlessly preach the Gospel, not only with our words, but more importantly with our lives. Teresa Gumap-as Dumadag (teregmps@yahoo.com)

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REFLECTION:

What is God’s teaching on marriage and sex? Am I faithful to His instructions?

 

Heavenly Father, illumine my mind that I may recognize Your perfect plan for the family. May You be enthroned in our hearts and in our homes. Reign as King over the Filipino nation.

 

St. Rita of Cascia, pray for us.

 

How A Detour Can Bring You To A Bigger Destiny

 

How A Detour Can Bring You To A Bigger Destiny

Haven’t you noticed?

The road to success isn’t a straight road. It has many twists, turns, and zigzags. With lots of detours.

Today, I’d like to talk about the Principle of Obliquity.  

Don’t be afraid of that word. What in the world is Obliquity?  Obliquity is the state of being oblique. (Are you sometimes blown away by my genius?)

Let me share with you how obliquity works: A Detour can bring you to a Bigger Destiny.

When it comes to Detours, the first guy that comes to my mind is Joseph…

(To continue reading Bo's inspiring article, click here.)

PS. Learn How To Earn Through Larry Gamboa’s Real Estate System. My friend and Real Estate Mentor Larry Gamboa is giving a Seminar on how he buys foreclosed properties or properties from “motivated sellers” and turn them around into rental properties or quick sales. If you’re interested to learn his system, click here now!

PS2. Attention Singles: My friend Rissa found her one true love when she was 38 years old. I interviewed her and was very inspired. If you’re single, eavesdrop on my interview and be inspired too, click here now!

God Whispers - May 20, 2012

Have you ever seen a hungry beggar feasting on a meal? He gorges his food with hardly any time to breathe. His whole being is consumed by his desire to alleviate his hunger. I want you to hunger for My presence that way. 

 

Your Loving Maker,

God

 

P.S. Do you know that’s how much I hunger for your presence too?

God Whispers - May 19, 2012

Your life is My stage. It’s where I am unfolding an inspiring story that others see. It’s a story of how I forgive you, raise you up and use you to achieve beyond what you can imagine.

 

Crazy for You,

God

 

P.S. Your life will be a hit, I just know it!

Daily Bible Reflections - May 21, 2012

MESSAGE FROM God

 

When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. – Acts 19:6

 

One of the times I experienced the power of the Holy Spirit was when our leaders prayed over us during a session of intergenerational healing. Faye, the sister assigned to pray with me, led me to pray for the women in my family who’ve had anabortion. I recalled an aunt who had aborted three babies she conceived. After praying for my aunt, Faye and I prayed for the three aborted babies, named each one and asked the Lord to bring them home to heaven.

After the pray over, I thanked Faye and bid her goodbye. She gave me yet another message from God: a baby boy will soon be born into our family and the Lord wishes for him to be named Michael. Faye sensed that this baby was God’s sign of forgiveness for the abortions and brings with him all the joy of the unborn children in our family.

I shared this blessed experience with my cousin whose wife was then three months pregnant. His wife gave birth to a baby boy whom they named Miguel Francisco. Today, Miggy is an intelligent and vibrant 11-yearold who brings much love and happiness to our family, as the Lord said he would. Dina Pecaña (dpecana@yahoo.com)

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REFLECTION:

Recall the messages the Lord has spoken to you through Scripture, through people, through situations. Take time to thank Him today for what He has revealed.

 

Thank You, Father, for speaking through the prophets of old and Your present-day messengers. Your messages always give life and bring hope to our troubled world.

 

Blessed Eugene de Mazenod, bishop, pray for us.

Daily Bible Reflections - May 20, 2012

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

 

Traveling with God

 

“You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”– Acts 1:8

 

I have been traveling a lot lately and I meet people from different places. Some of them have not even heard about the Philippines so they tend to ask many questions.

It’s embarrassing that sometimes I can’t even give accurate information about the country I’m from. I realize it would have been a great opportunity to promote tourism in the Philippines had I made the extra effort to know more about the country. By answering their queries, I could hopefully attract tourists to visit.

Jesus commissioned us to represent Him in this world and every day we have the opportunity to share His Good News. We don’t even need to go anywhere to accomplish our mission. With the technology through which many of us connect with others using different social networking websites and our ability to communicate, we can always bear witness to those we encounter each day — family, coworkers, friends, and even strangers.

Let us then make the most of every chance we get to share God’s goodness. Jane Gonzales-Rauch (mgr516@gmail.com)

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REFLECTION:

We are God’s hands and feet in this world. Let us bring the Good News wherever He leads us.

 

Loving Father, I pray that the Holy Spirit will propel me to share the message of Jesus and reach out to people around me.

 

St. Bernardine of Siena, priest, pray for us.

Daily Bible Reflections- May 19, 2012

BLESSING IN DISGUISE

 

“For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me….” – John 16:27

 

When the person on whom we relied to build our ministry defected to another community, I felt disgusted. If I weren’t a Christian, and if obedience to a call was not my primary motive for serving, I would have simply left and moved on to a new mission field. But I discerned if the Lord really wanted me elsewhere even as I started to look for other ministries I could serve in.

I ended up getting hired by another ministry on a part-time basis while keeping my ties with my original group. I decided that I would leave the latter only if the Lord would tell me to move on.

Eventually, things returned to normal in our ministry except that I now have a part-time job in another ministry.

Looking back, I realized that the Lord allowed that experience of “disgust” to push me to a part-time job. I didn’t mind surviving on an allowance, which was all I was getting in my original ministry, as long as I was doing my mission. But the Father who loves me knew my needs and provided me with much more. Cristy Galang (cristy_cc@yahoo.com)

 

REFLECTION:

Do I give up when things do not work according to what I want? Do I seek God’s will in everything I do?

 

Loving Father, I surrender to You all my decisions. May my life work only according to Your plan because I know it is the best for me. Amen.

 

St. Theophilus of Corte, pray for us.

God Whispers - May 18, 2012

Just like germs, temptations are everywhere. Temptations don’t cause you to sin. Instead, a weak spiritual immune system causes you to sin.

 

I love you,

God

 

P.S. Your spiritual immune system is how much love you have in your heart. To make your spiritual immune system strong, you need nourishing love.

Daily Bible Reflections - May 18, 2012

AN EMBRACE WORTh WAITING FOR

 

“So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.” – John 16:22

 

I couldn’t control my excitement. As I walked down the lobby after the immigration counter, I got giddy. I hadn’t held her in my arms for four months. I missed her so much.

As I rounded the corner, my heart started to race. I suddenly saw daylight peeking through the door at the end of the tunnel. I took one final breath, turned into the arrival lobby and there she was — the most beautiful girl in the world — standing in the middle of a million nameless, faceless, blurry figures. She was beaming with pure joy and happiness, reflecting exactly what was in my heart.

We embraced. For a moment, the world stopped turning. We could’ve stayed in that spot forever. We didn’t want to let go. The long four months suddenly melted away. It was worth the wait. Oh, so worth it.

And to think, she and I are mere reflections of God’s love here on earth. How much more will our joy be when we are reunited with our Father in heaven — the One our hearts beat eternally for? I can only imagine. But one thing’s for sure, when we fall into His arms, we’ll say to ourselves with a sigh, “This was so worth the wait.” George Tolentino Gabriel (george.svp@gmail.com)

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REFLECTION:

Are you burdened? Tired? Suffering? Hold on. His embrace is waiting for you.

 

Lord, may I live a life of faith until the day I see You face to face.

 

St. John I, pope and martyr, pray for us.

God Whispers - March 17, 2012

Be excited when you face a problem that seems insurmountable, when you have a difficulty so overwhelming it makes you afraid. Be excited because then you have a platform for Me to show forth My glory and power. I will reveal Myself to you like never before.

 

Specializing in the Impossible,

God

 

P.S. The solution to your problem is really just the bonus. The real prize is knowing Me in a deeper way.

Daily Bible Reflections - May 17, 2012

‘USELESS’ TRANSFORMATION

 

“In just a little while I will be gone, and you won’t see me anymore. Then just a little while after that, you will see me again.” – John 16:16

 

Our dental convention had just finished. I had no need for the ID with the nice thick ribbon that we had to wear to gain entry into the venue.

You know how the hoarder in us always rears its ugly head when we’re about to throw away something? Well, this time I decided to be a creative hoarder. Such a useful, sturdy thing should not be put to waste!

So I snipped this and sewed that. I inverted the ribbon so only the unlabeled side would be exposed. I put this and I glued that and tah-dah! I made a ribbon lock for my yoga mat so that it wouldn’t unroll when I wasn’t using it. Now I could stop obsessing about buying the branded mat that comes with its own lock.

I guess that’s how God is with us. He never gives up on us no matter how useless we have become, or may have become a liability.

To Him, no one is beyond help. And that’s what grace is all about. We should have been thrown away and burned. But God said, “Wait — I can still transform that and make her useful.” Ronna Ledesma (ronnaledesma@email.com)

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REFLECTION:

Even if the whole world gives up on us, God never will.

 

Thank You for Your mercy, thank You for Your grace. Thank You for Your Cross that’s made a way.

 

St. Paschal Baylon, pray for us.

 

God Whispers - May 16, 2012

Sit quietly. Breathe in My presence. Feel My embrace. I love you. Everything will be alright.

 

Crazy for you,

God

 

P.S. Push your anxieties away by dwelling on how much I love you.

God Whispers - May 15, 2012

I believe in you so much. You may have failed, but I don’t believe you’re a failure. I always give you another chance. And another. And another…    

  

Your Greatest Fan,

God

 

P.S. I don’t want you to just believe in Me. I want you to believe that I believe in you.

God Whispers - May 14, 2012

If the blessings aren’t flowing to you, it’s not because it’s not available. Grace abounds in your life. But often something is blocking it from getting to you. Could it be sin? A wrong belief? Doubt? Failure to act?

 

Gracious and Generous,

God

 

P.S. What’s clogging your pipeline of blessings? Get rid of the clog now!

Daily Bible Reflections - May 16, 2012

COME, HOLY SPIRIT

 

“But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.” – John 16: 13

 

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

This is the official prayer in our schools that everyone prays by heart. We have consecrated and devoted our three schools in Marilao, Bulacan to the Holy Spirit.

We have a shorter version: “Come, Holy Spirit… renew the face of the earth.” I believe that every time we proclaim this, we are renewed and are given the power to help renew others.

As founder and headmaster of our schools, I believe that the Holy Spirit is the key to learning the truths about life and living it to the fullest.

All learning, all knowledge, all things should lead us to the Way, the Truth and the Life — Jesus!

And the Holy Spirit gives us that power!

Jesus Himself says so.

Believe and tap onto that power today.

You will be greatly blessed!A lvin Barcelona (alvinbarcelona@gmail.com)

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REFLECTION:

What are you seeking now? What questions to your life’s mysteries do you want to be answered? Pray to the Holy Spirit. You will be enlightened.

 

Read again the complete prayer to the Holy Spirit. Pray it from the heart.

 

St. Margaret of Cortona, pray for us.

Daily Bible Reflections - May 15, 2012

ghost vs. God’s word

 

Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.... The jailer... was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God — he and his whole household. – Acts 16:32, 34

 

“I saw a ghost early this morning in the kitchen,” our spooked helper reported. Another one confirmed, “We often hear the toilet in the driver’s room flushing by itself.”

Before long, I had a scared household. The maids always wanted to do their household chores in twos, especially at night. I knew I had to intervene before the situation got out of hand. I needed to wield my weapon, the Sword of the Spirit.

So I gathered our helpers one evening. We prayed. I opened the Bible and shared with them how the devil can use fear to paralyze us. While ghosts do exist, the Lord’s power surpasses that of the evil one, I added. I also told them how our house was a fulfillment of a promise God made to me many years ago and my ensuing belief of His protection upon our home.

My helpers received God’s Word with joy. Their fears were overcome with faith.

We also discovered that to exorcise the “ghost” in the driver’s room, all we needed was a plumber. Rissa Singson-Kawpeng (justbreatherissa@gmail.com)

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REFLECTION:

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” (2 Timothy 3:16)

 

Lord, let the truth of Your Word reign supreme in my life.                                                                                       

 

St. Isidore the farmer, pray for us.

God Whispers - May 13, 2012

Don’t expect to get new results if you keep doing the same old thing. If you keep committing the same mistakes, you’ll end up failing the same way. Your mistakes are there to teach you what not to do and where not to go the next time around.

 

Mapping Out Your Success,

God

 

P.S. Don’t get trapped in your old way of doing things. Try something new!

God Whispers - May 12, 2012

Permanent change cannot come from fear. Permanent change can only come from love. Fear cannot change you. Only love can.

 

Dedicated to bring out the best in you,

God

 

P.S. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love (1 John 4:18).

Daily Bible Reflections - May 13, 2012

How Do I Love Thee…

 

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. – John 15:12

 

Do we love like Pope Benedict? St. Padre Pio? Blessed Mother Teresa? Bo Sanchez? Or Obet Cabrillas? (How assuming!)

Jesus is straightforward in telling us that He is our model. As I imitate the Lord’s love, I’ve found that His love is really S-U-P-E-R!

His love is Selfless! Not estorge (companionship), or eros (physical), or phileo (familial). His love is agape — love that doesn’t expect any return.

His love is Unconditional! 1-4-3 means “I love you.” Some love with 1-4-3-2 (I love you if), others with 1-4-3-4 (I love you when) or 1-4-3-7 (I love you because). But His love is 1-4-3-4-2: I love you EVEN IF!

His love is Persistent! He is like Mike Enriquez, “Hindi namin kayo tatantanan!” He won’t stop loving you!

His love is Eternal! Even married people vow, “Till death do us part,” but only God can love us eternally — till heaven where we’ll never part.

His love is Respectful! Because the God who didn’t ask permission when He created you cannot save you without your permission.

How do you love? Love as Jesus loves! And all these things shall be added unto you! Obet Cabrillas (kpreacherobet@gmail.com)

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REFLECTION:

How do I love? Is it Super love or stupid love?

 

Lord Jesus Christ, You laid down Your life for us. May we, too, lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

 

Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.

Daily Bible Reflections - May12, 2012

MOCKED

 

“If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.” – John 15:18

 

“That’s stupid!” he said with a scornful chuckle. This man — a friend’s friend — and I were talking about faith matters. He blurted that out when I told him that people sometimes get a wake-up call from God.

“Why do you even need a wake-up call to renew your faith in God? That means your belief system has poor foundations,” he said. He had all the refutations to my faith claims. Impressive. Born a Catholic, he became a Born Again and now is agnostic because he said he couldn’t find the answers to his many questions about God’s existence. He’s well-read when it comes to the religions of the world. But I guess, in his quest for answers, more confusion set in.

OK, God, I thought, this man is mocking me for believing in You. Still, I smiled throughout our conversation.

My parting words to him: “Bless you.” His parting words to me: “Oh, no… don’t bless me. I don’t need it. You need it more.”

Who was I to feel bad about that? Jesus was mocked in the worst way during His time. I was just too glad that between that man and me, I am the believer. I pray that  someday his heart would see God’s light. Nova Arias (nova.svp@gmail.com)

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REFLECTION:

Have you ever been mocked for your faith? How did you react?                                                                         

 

Father, You are King over the flood. I will be still and know You are God.

 

Sts. Nereus and Achilleus, martyrs, pray for us.

God Whispers - May 11, 2012

Every day you have the choice to love or to be indifferent. To give or to keep. To forgive or to resent. If you choose love, even if you think you’ll lose, in the end you win. You can never go wrong with love.

 

Fountain of Love,

God

 

P.S. I am Love. When you love, you choose Me.

Daily Bible Reflections - May 11, 2012

oN God’S TERMS

 

“So that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” – John 15:16

 

George Müller and his orphans was about to have breakfast. There was no food on the table because they didn’t have money. But still he said grace for the nonexistent meal. Then they heard a knock on the door. When he opened it, it was the baker. He told George that he couldn’t sleep the previous night. He felt that God wanted him to bring them some bread.

The baker had barely left when another knock came. This time it was the milkman. His cart broke down in front of the orphanage. He gave them his cans of fresh milk so he could have his cart repaired.

George Müller, a 19th century Christian evangelist, cared for more than 10,000 orphans in his life. He exhibited extraordinary faith believing that God would provide for his needs as he performed his Christian work. Whenever he needed anything either for himself or for his orphans, he would pray and help would arrive in remarkable ways.

George didn’t doubt that whatever he asked God for in prayer, He would provide. We need to have the same attitude: believing and trusting that God will do as He has promised — according to His terms and not ours.Judith Concepcion (svp_jmc@yahoo.com)

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REFLECTION:

When you ask God for something, do you dictate on how and when He is supposed to answer your prayer?

 

Lord, let not my will but Your perfect will be done.

 

St. Ignatius of Laconi, pray for us.