When was the last time you gave a person a true and meaningful compliment? - Daily Bible Reflections October 31,2013

A COMPLIMENT COMPLEMENTS

 

I will speak my thanks earnestly to the Lord, and in the midst of the throng I will praise him. – Psalm 109:30

 

I have been married for 31 years. One of the ingredients to our durable marriage is my many ways of complimenting or honoring my wife. Today, she celebrates her birthday and I will do just that — honor her with a verse from the book of Proverbs 31:10, which says: “When one finds a worthy wife, her value is beyond pearls. Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize.” She is God’s gift to me, a suitable partner and a part bigger than myself.

       Complimenting somebody has a big effect on the recipient. It raises self-esteem, encourages, energizes and invigorates. It brings joy and gladness, it honors a person. The person giving the compliment is drawn closer to the recipient and vice-versa. In the process, a relationship is developed and strengthened. And that is life’s biggest wealth — relationships.

       The person who honors others, honors God because we follow His commandment to honor one another and encourage each other. God rewarded my honoring. I have a wife who makes my journey in life joyful, meaningful and complete. Rolly España (rnespana@nwineskin.com)

 

Reflection: When was the last time you gave a person a true and meaningful compliment?

 

Lord, let me be a Barnabas, a person who encourages and builds relationships.

 

St. Wolfgang of Regensburg, pray for us.

God sent us His Holy Spirit so He can be with us in every moment of our lives - Daily Bible Reflections October 30,2013

INTERCESSOR

 

The one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will. – Romans 8:27

 

I was already asleep in my parents’ room but I was awakened in the middle of the night by someone’s controlled weeping. In the dark, I could see my mom’s figure with her arm around my eldest brother, who was then in his twenties. He was hunched and crying. I couldn’t make out what they were talking about but what I knew was that my brother faced a problem big enough to make him cry.

       I’m sure that wasn’t the first time — or the last — that he got into trouble. All of us had more than our share of misdemeanors in our younger days. But thank God we had a mom who was a prayerful woman. I grew up seeing her attend Mass daily, pray the rosary before she slept and went to prayer meetings every week. Now that I’m a mother, I wonder if she was doing all that because she had six children to pray for! We were blessed to have a mom who was also an intercessor and knew what to pray for us.

       Now think about this: the Holy Spirit constantly prays for you and me. And His prayers are perfect because He prays according to God’s will! So the next time you get into trouble and don’t even know what to pray, call on your Intercessor. He’ll know what to do. Rissa Singson-Kawpeng (justbreatherissa@gmail.com)

 

Reflection: God sent us His Holy Spirit so He can be with us in every moment of our lives.

 

Holy Spirit, pray for us.

 

St. Alphonsus Rodriguez, pray for us.

Why is it so difficult for you to trust in God’s promises? - Daily Bible Reflections October 29,2013

MY GOD, MY BOSS

 

But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance. – Romans 8:25

 

I am a singer. The year 2001 was when God revealed strongly His desire for me to use my talent in a massive way. In 2002, I started singing background vocals for “Asia’s Nightingale” Lani Misalucha, and soon after, for “The Concert King” Martin Nievera and “Asia’s Songbird” Regine Velasquez. I now remain a freelance session singer.

       Freelance work is never easy as it tests one’s patience and perseverance big-time. Often, I’ve waited for projects to happen without knowing that they had already been cancelled. Yet, even more frequently, projects that I never even knew were being conceived come my way. There are the sudden free trips to the US, the Middle East and Asia — where I get to sing and earn at the same time!

       It all happens while I just maintain a hopeful disposition believing that my God, who is my Boss, has my entire career planned well for me. Eugene Cailao (eugenecailao@gmail.com)

 

Reflection: Why is it so difficult for you to trust in God’s promises?

 

Father, You are my Creator and God. Allow me to believe and hold on to Your words. You have the best in store for me.

 

St. Narcissus of Jerusalem, pray for us.

There is a thin line between obedience and trust in everything we do - Daily Bible Reflections October 27,2013

TRUST FUND

 

The Lord is a God of justice, who knows no favorites. Though not unduly partial toward the weak, yet he hears the cry of the oppressed. – Sirach 35:12-13

 

It is often said that it is easier to surrender your life to God than to surrender your wallet. A person will consecrate himself when he is touched by a moving worship song but may struggle when the love offering basket comes. Just like the rich young man who obeyed every law since he was a child. He couldn’t obey that one thing he lacked to have eternal life: to give up his riches.

       You see, surrendering your wealth is not about obedience. It’s about trusting.

       That’s why tithing is a sacred act. You shouldn’t tithe because your elder tells you so. You tithe because you’re declaring: “Lord, I’m trusting You to provide me with what I don’t have yet by giving you what I have right now.”

       That’s when something becomes sacred — when you turn over to God what is yours. There’s not much return of investment if you are merely being obedient. But when you give because you trust Him, the returns are out of this world. Ronna Ledesma (ronna_ledesma@yahoo.com.ph)

 

Reflection: There is a thin line between obedience and trust in everything we do.

 

Abba, Father, let not my trust in You waver or falter when I am in need.

 

Blessed Bartholomew of Vicenza, pray for us.