Do you have enough faith to believe what God said? - Daily Bible Reflections June 20,2014

FAITHFUL AND TRUE   The Lord swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back… – Psalm 132:11   “Thessa, we will praise the Lord because we know that He will give us the child that we have been praying for,” I told my wife as we both cried.        We were praying for a baby amidst the negative reports of doctors. She had just turned 40. To make things worse, she had endometriosis, a retroverted uterus, and polycystic ovaries. Oh yes, there were times we lost hope. There were nights we cried ourselves to sleep. There were moments we asked God why. In the middle of all these challenges, we clung to His promise that we would one day have a child. God delivered.        Last April, our son Ziki celebrated his third birthday. God answered our prayers just two years after we got married. Thessa had a wonderful pregnancy, no aversion to any kind of food, no morning sickness, no complications.        God will never turn His back on His promises to you. He will do what He said He will. It’s not a matter of if, it’s just a matter of when. Keep believing. He will never let you down.        God said it. I believe it. That settles it. Randy Borromeo (rborromeo@yahoo.com)   Reflection: Do you have enough faith to believe what God said?   Dear Lord, please give me the faith to believe that You are true to Your promises. Let me not be moved by what I feel or hear or see but by what I believe in. In Jesus’ name. Amen.   St. Paulinus of Nola, pray for us.

What would you like to read in your obituary? Live today to make that happen - Daily Bible Reflections June 19,2014

NOBLE NOBEL

 

In life he performed wonders, and after death, marvelous deeds. – Sirach 48:14

 

       One day, Alfred Nobel, a chemist, inventor and armaments manufacturer, read the newspaper and got the surprise of his life. Printed in bold letters in the obituary section was his name: Alfred Nobel, Inventor of Dynamite. They had mistaken him for his brother who recently died. Alfred took to heart the horror of being known and remembered for something as destructive as dynamite. So he employed his acquired wealth to establish what now is known as one of the most prized awards in the world: the Nobel Prize. Now, Alfred is remembered for his noble Nobel. I bet if he read his actual obituary again, he would have smiled.

       Friend, maybe you haven’t been living life “nobly.” All of us have done things we are not proud of. The good news is, we can right what’s wrong. Just as Alfred didn’t settle for leaving a less-than-noble legacy to the world, we can make the powerful choice to change. Elisha, in the reading above, was a true disciple of his mentor, Elijah. He, too, is remembered with the greatness of his predecessor.

       Recognize that God has purposed your life to be a blessing to others… not only now on earth, but even after. Fulfill your call and, by God’s grace, create the life a child of God should live. Jonathan Yogawin (jyogawin@gmail.com)

 

Reflection: What would you like to read in your obituary? Live today to make that happen.

 

Lord, may I be remembered as Your true disciple.

 

St. Romuald, abbot, pray for us.

Count on it — God’s love is constant and it never changes - Daily Bible Reflections June 17,2014

THE ONLY

PERMANENT THING

 

“...your heavenly Father is perfect. – Matthew 5:48

 

       It was our first time in Sydney, Australia, a wonderful gift from God. But we came in the dead of winter, and although it wasn’t snowing, the temperature was close to zero. Staying outdoors was difficult when we walked in the city streets. So when we saw a huge, royal-looking building, we went in to stay warm.

       It was the Queen Victoria Building, a shopping mall and not a royal palace as it appeared to be on the outside. It was originally used for stately purposes for the Queen of England. But its purpose has changed — from royalty use to commercial use.

       In a coffee corner inside the mall, I reflected on this issue called change. They say that the only thing permanent in life is change. But even change changes. Then wisdom came to me. There is something that’s truly permanent in this world: God’s love. That thought warmed my heart more than the coffee.

       Count on it — God’s love is constant and it never changes! Rolly España (rolly@homeliving.com.ph)

 

 

Reflection: Lord, thank You for the wisdom in the thought that You created me so that You can love me. Your love has never changed or wavered.

 

Jesus, everywhere I turn You are there pursuing me with all Your love. You are my Good Shepherd.

 

St. Joseph Cafasso, pray for us.

What could be the main source of your stress today? Do you need to forgive someone? - Daily Bible Reflections June 16,2014

MOLAR CRATER   “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’” – Matthew 5:38          I had not been able to eat well for seven long years. I couldn’t even come close to the pretty, giggly, sweet-smelling girls. I never attended any of my high school dances. And it was all because my breath stank! Every girl I had spoken to has had nightmares or Ground Zero disintegration.        You see, I had a totally rotten right molar. A slight mistake got food particles lodged into the gaping cavity, sending unimaginable, brain-shattering pain to my entire body. Then I saw my dentist. In two days, I was eating normally! In three days, I attended my first party, wearing my Close-Up smile. I realized how much I had deprived myself all these years. I told myself, “Now, I live!”        My friend, anger and bitterness are rotten molars. They destroy your life. They rob you of the joy of what life is all about. In contrast, forgiveness heals. It is the kindness you extend to the other person. But most importantly, forgiveness is the kindness you extend to yourself. Forgiveness heals you!        Do yourself a favor. Forgive. Jon Escoto (faithatworkjon@gmail.com)   Reflection: What could be the main source of your stress today? Do you need to forgive someone?   Lord, let me know that I need forgiveness. Fill me with Your forgiveness. Then, I can draw from the well of my forgiven heart, and freely give it to those who hurt me.   St. John Francis Regis, pray for us.