Who or what are you holding on to that may be holding you back from being the best God wants you to be? - Daily Bible Reflections June 4,2014

“GOOD” BYES

 

They were all crying as they hugged him and kissed him goodbye. – Acts 20:37

 

       I hate goodbyes. They make me cry because it means the end of something. But goodbyes happen. There are people who have to leave, things to let go of, and comfort zones to get out of.

       But not all goodbyes turn out sad. In the movie You’ve Got Mail, a branch of a bookstore chain opened in a neighborhood where a small bookstore thrived for years. The mega bookstore killed the small business. The owner had to say goodbye to her employees, who were close friends, and to her loyal customers when she closed down the shop she had inherited from her mother. But because of that, she got her happy ending: she had time to write a book and got the guy who owns the bookstore chain.

       I experienced something similar when the gym I had been patronizing for six years closed. I was upset and was forced to try the one right outside our village. It turned out to have the same group exercises but had friendlier terms, plus I saved on gas.

       Paul had to leave to proclaim Jesus in other places. If he hadn’t said goodbye, the Word of God would not have reached many Gentiles.

       We need goodbyes so we can do something new — maybe even better and greater things. Lella M. Santiago (mirellasantiago@yahoo.com)

 

Reflection: Who or what are you holding on to that may be holding you back from being the best God wants you to be?

 

Lord, grant me the wisdom to know when it’s time to let go.

 

Sts. Charles Lwanga and Companions, martyrs, pray for us.

You don’t have to be a full-time missionary to bear witness to God’s Gospel. What do you believe is the ministry that the Lord has given you? - Daily Bible Reflections June 3,2014

OF MISSION AND

 

MINISTRY

 

“Yet I consider life of no importance to me, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to bear witness to the gospel of God’s grace.” – Acts 20:24

 

       The verse above is one of my favorite Bible verses of all time. It’s actually one of my life verses, and I believe the Lord led me to it when I was still a single missionary serving in Malaysia because He wanted me to see that He has a greater purpose for my life.

       I’m no longer a full-time missionary but I still consider myself one. This time, my ministry is primarily to my family, especially to my kids. The ministry that I have received from the Lord is to be a Proverbs 31:10 wife to my husband, and to raise my children to be individuals after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22).

       God has also blessed me with another ministry — to bear witness to the Gospel through the articles I write, through the blog I own, and through the work I do at Shepherd’s Voice. I only pray that, whatever else He calls me to do in the future, He will still allow me to bring His Good News to others. I pray He does the same for you, too. Tina Santiago-Rodriguez (tina@trulyrichmom.com)

 

Reflection: You don’t have to be a full-time missionary to bear witness to God’s Gospel. What do you believe is the ministry that the Lord has given you?

 

Dearest Lord, show me what You want me to do with my life. May I live out Your calling for me to the best of my ability.

 

Blessed John XXIII, pray for us.

Stop looking around. Stop comparing yourself with others because He blessed you immensely! - God Whispers June 3,2014

 
Stop looking around. Stop comparing yourself with others because I’ve blessed you immensely!
 
Count your blessings,
God
 
P.S. You live in a pathologically dissatisfied world because people love to compare.

Are you deeply troubled and about to lose hope? Take courage and hold on to God’s Word. The Lord is our strength - Daily Bible Reflections June 2,2014

TAKE COURAGE!

 

“In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” – John 16:33

 

“I am sorry to bother you, Bro. Danny.” This was the closing sentence of an email I received today from Bea (not her real name) who was asking for some prayers and advice for her very big problem.

       Bea had lived with a man who fathered her son. Because of quarrels, which led to physical assaults, she tried to leave him many times. But after patching up, she’d go back to him again. Recently, she finally decided to leave him for good, even though she had already forgiven him for all he’d done. With the difficulty of raising up their son, Bea wants the father to give financial support. But the man now has another woman.

       Problems like this can be overwhelming. You can either focus on the situation and crumble, or focus on God’s Word and move on. The Bible says very clearly: “No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

       In times like this, take courage! The Lord is with you! Danny Tariman (dtariman.loj@gmail.com)

 

Reflection: Are you deeply troubled and about to lose hope? Take courage and hold on to God’s Word. The Lord is our strength.

 

Lord, You are my strength and my hope. Take me by my hand and let me walk out of this problem. Amen!

 

Sts. Marcellinus and Peter, martyrs, pray for us.