MONEY LAUNDERING

Nowadays, we really have to be practical in spending money. In our house, each one of us is assigned some household chores to do. The kids take turn to wash the dishes and sweep the floor and tidy up their own room when they are not so loaded with their school assignments. My wife takes care of going to the market and does the cooking while I do the toughest job, that is, the laundry. Who needs a housemaid?

For the many years that I have been doing my chores, I developed my prayer time like during those boring hours while waiting for the washing machine to be filled up with water (since it was not the automatic type), then pour in the laundry soap and throw in the dirty clothes.

One time while I was waiting and watching how the clothes go in circle inside the washing machine, I talked to God. I asked Him to help us meet our financial needs everyday. Suddenly a twenty-peso bill, washed and filled with bubbles came afloat, and then another one, and another one, until I got a total of one hundred pesos in all.

Does God make money? The answer is NO! Surely one of us forgot to get those paper bills left in the pocket---and right timing for God to impress upon me how He answers my questions and my worries. But does God make miracles? The answer is definitely YES!
God still answers prayers in many ways.

Bible Reading: Matthew 1o:5-15

5"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9"This, then, is how you should pray:"
'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
10your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us today our daily bread.
12Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one
14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.


M A C

Meaning: Jesus wants us to ask for what we need each day when He taught us how to pray this way: "Give us today our daily bread."

Application: I will stop asking for my future needs, instead, I will ask God to give what I need today. I believe this is Jesus' way of taking away my unnecessary anxieties.

Character of Jesus: Jesus taught us how to talk to His Father that we may know His will in our lives each and every day.

PRICELESS

My Family and I love going to the mall, not for the luxury of shopping but just to stroll around and see what’s new. One time, we went to a newly-opened mall near our place. We came across the fast food area where we saw a long line of people waiting for their turn to taste the popular and best selling barbeque in that mall. While we were nearing the barbeque stall, I tried to get my kids’ attention away from that tempting smell of the barbeque in grill that spreads around the fast food area. Tempting, not because eating pork is not healthy but because we cannot afford to buy one.


Then, with a downcast spirit, I asked God, “Lord, when will you bless us financially?”

Still with a heavy heart, we sat on a park bench nearby, passing time, watching people.

Suddenly, I saw three boys who were about ten to twelve years of age, and dressed up with their best clothes but wearing dirty and worn out slippers. One of them was even on barefoot, Each one carries with him a plastic bag, going from one trash bin to another. They were opening the bins to get like empty soft drink tin cans that they can sell for a few centavos. At the same time I noticed that they were also on a close look out for the mall guards. They seemed so afraid of them. I know why. I saw how the guards shoo them away like stray animals. Now I understand- if they are dressed like the mallers, the guards may not notice that they are even without slippers and they will not be dragged out of the mall. Yes, they are in the mall but not for leisurely walk as we do.

As I was keenly observing them, their situation made me realized that God has been so good to have blessed me with so much more. I am blessed with healthy family. I am blessed with a happy family whom I can joke and laugh with. I am blessed to have the time to spend with them walking in the mall, even without the extra money to spend luxuriously on shopping and dining. I began to appreciate the simple way we share the happy moments together. Precious moments like those, I should say are priceless.




Bible Reading: Matthew 6:1-4

1"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

M A C

Meaning: Jesus is teaching us the right way to give to people who are in need.

Application: I will start giving to the needy and I will do it in secret so that my Father in heaven will be pleased and someday He will reward me.

Character of Jesus: Jesus is the creator of giving, and He just taught by example when He gave His own life for us.

WHAT IF

FACE OFF. That was the title of the American film which starred John Travolta who played the bad guy and villain to Nicholas Cage as the good cop. It was a heart-pounding story of twists and turns when they exchanged faces but not the character and personality behind the face. At the end, the good guy, Nicholas Cage wanted to get his face and his own person back while John Travolta started enjoying his new life and new face and the good image that goes with it.

I grew up in our ancestral house which has a small balcony in front before you reach the door to the living room. My Dad while passing time would usually watch passersby from the balcony of the house. One time he called me and told me to take a look at the old man on the street pushing his old and almost worn out cart, as he shouts “dyaryo, bote.” (means that the old man makes a living through buy and sell of old newspapers and empty bottles) My Dad sighed and told me, “buti na lang hindi ikaw yan.” (you are blessed, you are not on his shoes). I understood then what my Dad was trying to say --that God was so gracious that He gave me a better life while I spend my short and temporary life here on earth.

I always remember that sight and the casual way my Dad taught me about compassion and appreciation every time I see poor people, or homeless beggars, with no place to put their tired bodies to rest, making the streets their shelter, or those who get through a day’s meal out of the leftovers from the garbage bins. I would always ask myself, “what if …I am in that person’s place?” What if… one day I will wake up with a new face and a new life--very poor, lonely and worst of all, without Jesus Christ in my life or without knowing Jesus as my savior?

Today, would you be a channel of God’s blessings as you count the many blessings that you have as compared to other people around you?

What if…




Bible Reading: Matthew 15:29-39

29Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. 30Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. 31The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.
32Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way."
33His disciples answered, "Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?"
34"How many loaves do you have?" Jesus asked. "Seven," they replied, "and a few small fish."
35He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. 36Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. 37They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 38The number of those who ate was four thousand, besides women and children. 39After Jesus had sent the crowd away, he got into the boat and went to the vicinity of Magadan.

M A C

Meaning: Jesus asked the disciples to hand over the fish and bread to the people first even though they were also hungry and the disciples obeyed. They were not selfish to think only of themselves.

Application: After God handed over to us His blessings we must also share it to other people in need.

Character of Jesus: He is compassionate to all of us.

CARRY…OK

A wedding will be held for one of the members of our church where I and my wife were assigned to assist the local pastor. This was in a small church in Manila Philippines.

My wife and I are neither professional singers, nor members of the music ministry in this church. But since no one was available to sing, we ended up preparing a song number for the wedding ceremony.

We will be rehearsing until evening, and so we brought our children to the house of their grandma because no one will look after them. It was past eleven o’clock in the evening when the phone rang. It was their grandma calling from the emergency room of the hospital and told us to hurry and to go there where she brought our three-year old daughter who had been vomiting all day.

Immediately, I turned off the karaoke and stopped everything we were doing. The initial thought was to rush to the hospital and get there as soon as we can. But I gained my composure. I held my wife’s hand and prayed to God before heading there.

God answered our prayers. We felt the presence of the Lord while praying. We believed that our daughter has been healed right that moment. The Lord went ahead of us to give His healing touch.

When we reached the hospital, we saw our little girl lying on the bed. I went to her and said, “carry na kita, okay ka na, pinagaling ka na ni Jesus.” (“I’ll carry you now. You are now okay. Jesus healed you.”)Then she smiled at us and embraced me so tightly.

During the wedding, we were so happy to sing, not only for the couple, but also for the Lord. We shared this experience to the guests.

Sometimes, when we have something to do for the Lord, things just don’t go well as we intend to. We just have to entrust everything to God.



Bible Reading: Mark 4:35-41 and Mark 4:1-20

35That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." 36Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"
39He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
(When Jesus said, “Quiet! Be still!” He used the word phimothete, which would normally be used to exorcise evil spirits. Jesus recognized the devil’s attempt on his life in the storm and spoke accordingly, taken from the book: The New Manners and Customs of the Bible Times by Ralph Gower )
40He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" 41They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

1They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. 4For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.
6When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me!" 8For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!"
9Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?"
"My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many." 10And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.
11A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them." 13He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.
14Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 15When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. 17Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.
18As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." 20So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.


M A C

Meaning: Even Jesus encountered obstacles set up by the devil during His ministry here on earth.

Application: When things seem to go wrong most especially when I am going to do something for the Lord, I pray and ask God for His guidance and protection and rebuke Satan’s wicked scheme through the power of Jesus Christ.

Character of Jesus: He is persistent. No one and nothing can stop Him from doing His business.

PUNISH ME

Is it easy to handle a growing up kid? Is there a best formula in rearing children? Was there ever a best seller book that talks about the proper way to discipline children?
My children are both grown ups now, and I don’t know if I really did good in raising them up.
One time while strolling in the mall, I happened to pass by a Christian bookstore that sells a “discipline rod.” Engraved on the rod was a quote from Proverb 13:24 of King Solomon, “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.” That wise saying in the Bible seems easy to apply in our real lives but tell you, it is not so.
I recall the times when my daughter was only about 6-7 years of age. Every time she disobeys our set rules, she gets a corresponding punishment. I have a rod to discipline her. But each time I have to use it to her, it pains me as well. It breaks my heart to see her cry.
So one time I told her that each time she disobeys and I have to scold her with the rod, I will get the spanking instead. When I told her this she cried out loud and embraced me. She said, “Sorry, Dad. It wont happen again.”
Do you think she learned her lesson? As for me, I learned something from this. I remember 2000 years ago somebody did something like this for me. He took all the pain the rod spared. He died for my sins at the cross. Jesus Christ died so that I may live.

John 3:17- God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Bible Reading: John 3:1-21
1Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."
3In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
4"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" 5Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' 8The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."
9"How can this be?" Nicodemus asked. 10"You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things? 11I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. 19This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

Meaning: Jesus came down on earth not to punish but to save me from my sins.
Application: Believing is simply knowing Jesus Christ by heart through reading His life stories as written in the four Gospels of the Bible and realizing what He has done for me to further increase my faith in Him and make me someday join Him in heaven.

Character of Jesus: Jesus is so brave to take the beatings and the nailing on the cross that led to his death for our sins.

TIMES OF YOUR LIFE

Cherry Emma, May Emma, Lovely Emma, Kitty Wit, Liny Liony E. Wit, Cudddle Wit, Mong, Parrot, Polo SnowParol, Catty Parol, Sweet Parol, Dalmi, Haggisse, Pochocolo, Dovy and Rabbity.

These are just some of the names of the dolls and stuffed toys now laid idle in one corner of my kids' (or now my teenagers') room. My youngest is turning seventeen and my eldest twenty in November.

If those toys can talk, perhaps they will sigh and ask:“We miss you. Would you like to play with us again?”
Same goes for me too whenever I look at those toys, I cannot help but remember the times when our children used to play with them. During our playtime, I, remember, I also play their toys with them. So close they were to their hearts to give each one of them its name. It seems only yesterday.

Time runs so fast. These memories bring tears to my eyes. My Children are no longer little kids and I am not getting any younger. But I thank God who gives pleasant memories of the past.


Psalm 103:17 But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children—




Bible Reading: Matthew 19:13-15

13Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
14Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." 15When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.

Meaning: Heaven belongs to the little children because they are sinful and innocent.
Application: I will be like little children not in my ways but in my way of thinking so that I will have a pure heart.
Character of Jesus: He loves the little children and He knows that they belong to His Kingdom in Heaven.

A FISH FRIEND

We live in a condominium where there is a strict policy of “no pets allowed.” My youngest daughter keeps on telling me that she wants to have a pet dog.

Instead of buying her a dog, I bought her a fish. She was so happy. As soon as she wakes up, she looks at her pet fish she named Eugene . She feeds it, puts water on the fish bowl, and arranges the plants inside. I even catch her talking with Eugene before she leaves for school. It seems she found a new friend.

Having a pet fish was so relaxing not only for my daughter but also for me. When my kids are in school, I also enjoy staring at the fish.

One day, while she was still in school, I saw her fish catching its breath and dying. I was worried that my daughter will soon find out, and so I thought before she gets home, I have to buy a new one to replace it. But how many fish do I have to buy each and every time her pet dies. I guess I have to face reality and so should my daughter.

I prayed and asked God how am I going to tell her that her fish friend is dead.

When she got home I told her what happened. She cried and cried all day. I never saw her cried that way. That was perhaps so painful for her and so for me to see her crying and most of all hurting.

My daughter needs to experience life’s sorrows so that someday when someone in the family or someone dear to her passed away, those feelings of hurt and grief are no longer strange to her.


Bible Reading: John 11:1-44

1Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. 3So the sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick."
4When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." 5Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.
7Then he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea."
8"But Rabbi," they said, "a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?"
9Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world's light. 10It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light."
11After he had said this, he went on to tell them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up."
12His disciples replied, "Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better." 13Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.
14So then he told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, 15and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."
16Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."
Jesus Comforts the Sisters
17On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.
21"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."
23Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
24Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
25Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
27"Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."
28And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. "The Teacher is here," she said, "and is asking for you." 29When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.
32When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."
33When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34"Where have you laid him?" he asked. "Come and see, Lord," they replied.
35Jesus wept.
36Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!"
37But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?"
38Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39"Take away the stone," he said. "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days."
40Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"
41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."
43When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."


Meaning: Jesus when Lazarus died, also expressed his emotional feelings by weeping (John 11:35 Jesus wept.)

Application: It is alright for us to express our emotions in times of sorrow by crying, as long as you know when to stop.

Character of Jesus: He shows that he also felt the pain of grief.

I MISS HOME

Home, according to the dictionary means “the place of origin.”

Have you ever left home for a long vacation, and while on your way back aboard an airplane, bus, train, or boat, you want to hurry home?

After a long day from the office, when you get inside your room, you lie down on your bed and sigh, “aah, there is no place like home.”

On the other hand, have you ever felt lonely even when you are actually home? You look outside your window with no apparent reason and feel lonely and homesick?

I have different experience and story to tell you.

During my teenage years, I did not have a very good relationship with my Dad. He would discipline and in his strict disciplining he would punish and sometimes even beat me as if I was a small child. I hated that so much. One time, I decided to run away from home. I stayed with my Aunt in Binondo, Manila . She lived in an old house. She gave me a room on the second floor and told me when I am hungry, I could just get myself something to eat in the kitchen, or if ever I would need anything else, I could just call the housemaids.

One time I was awakened from my sleep, and I thought I was on my bed at home. I felt lonely that night, wanting to go back home.

The next morning, I overheared my Aunt talking with my Mom over the phone. I hurried to pack my things up and transfer to my friend’s house in Makati just about a kilometer away from our house. The more I miss home when my friend told me to sleep on their living room’s sofa because his room with a single bed is just fit for one person. I stayed there for a couple of days and then decided to go back home.

When I arrived, my Dad was watching TV. He looked at me, and smiled and asked, “have you eaten?” “Get some food in the kitchen.” So I did and ate as if I haven’t eaten for years. Then I went to my room and lied down on my bed, as I uttered the words” Dad I forgive you and I miss home.”

Sometimes when I am alone looking outside my window, I still miss “home”- not our house, not my soft bed, but my home with Jesus in Heaven. My place of origin.Because He promised…
“In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (John 14:2-3) Jesus Christ.

Bible Reading: John 14:1-14

1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going."
5Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
8Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."
9Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. 12I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.


Meaning: There’s a place for us in heaven prepared by our Lord Jesus Christ and we can go there through Him if we believe and trust in Him. Because He is the only way.

Application: Knowing Jesus increases my faith in Him, and knowing that someday I will be going to His house in heaven.

Character of Jesus: He cares for us even about our future home in heaven and He teaches us how to reach that place he has instored for us.

MISSED CALL

A MISSED CALL IS:
- when you are in the middle of something and so you missed the call
- when you save on your cellphone load …”don’t get that call, a missed call means I am on my way.”
- when you want to send your number or save a number from someone, a missed call makes it easier
- when you simply want to connect and let them know you are just around, make them feel you care and miss them (or as we simply put it in the vernacular, “paramdam.”)

As a father, I usually lead the prayer most especially before meals. Sometimes I also let my children lead so they will learn the habit of giving thanks to God and remember to pray before they take their meals wherever they may be, whether in school with friends, or in their grandparents’ house or in restaurants.

One day when my kids got home from school, tired and exhausted, my wife cooked for them their favorite dish. I called them to prepare for dinner, washed their hands and set the table.

When I was about to pray, I thought of letting my youngest daughter to lead instead. She took a deep breath covering her face with her tiny hands and started to pray.

It was a short prayer, fast and almost like a whisper, we barely heard it. It sounded just like a buzz of a bee that passed-by. I teased her and asked, “Do you think Jesus heard you?” and then we all laughed. Her sister teased her even more when she said, “para ka lang nag-missed call kay Lord, ha? (it was just like you gave our Lord a missed call). And we laughed all the more.

God listens to all our prayers. Whether it seems just like a “missed call,” He looks at the heart and He answers all our prayers according to His will.

Don’t forget to give him a call today. It’s TOLL FREE, anyway.


Matthew 14:18 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves.

Bible Reading Matthew 14:13-21

13When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
15As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food."
16Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."
17"We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered.
18"Bring them here to me," he said. 19And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Meaning: Jesus knows how to give thanks to His Father

Application: I will be like Jesus and will always give thanks to God our Father in heaven

Character of Jesus: Jesus is prayerful and always remembers to thank his Father

EMBRACED ME NOT

When our first baby had just been born, we had a housemaid whose name is Mayet, a naive but very assertive girl. When I tell stories in the Bible she would always sit down and listen. I gave her a Bible and she was so happy to receive it. I always see her reading and contemplating on the word of God. I think she was growing in her spiritual life and getting to know Jesus Christ more day by day.

Usually, when I leave the house I would give her instructions on what to say if I have a phone call, or if someone will come and look for me, or what to do in times of emergency.

One time when I left home I remembered I did not give her any instructions because my wife was home, anyway. Passing Ayala Avenue, I saw people shouting and pointing at the building under construction. I saw the huge cranes on top of the buildings swaying left to right and seemed almost about to fall. There was chaos and people were rushing out of their office buildings. This was when a strong earthquake rocked Luzon in 1991.

I started to worry about how my family was at home. I went back as soon as I could. When I reached home, I thanked God that my wife and daughter were safe. Mayet though, seemed to be still in fear and like she was still in a state of shock. I saw her embracing her Bible. After a while she told me what happened. “Kuya lumindol kanina. Nayanig ang buong bahay!” (There was an earthquake. It rocked the house). Then I asked, “Anong ginawa mo? (What did you do?) “Natakot ako. Kinuha ko agad ang Bible ko at niyakap ko ng mahigpit.” (I was so afraid, I grabbed my Bible and embraced it tightly), she replied.

I laughed and explained that embracing her Bible cannot save her in times of earthquake. Instead, she should find safety under the table so that if anything falls, it will not hit her head. “Next time kuya ilalagay ko na lang ang Bible sa ulo ko,” ( I’ll just put my Bible on top of my head), she said jokingly and laughed at herself too.

How many of us still look at the Bible as something sacred and with magical powers? Or like a collector’s item, have all the versions and/or editions? Or how many of us are just happy to display them on the shelves?

The Bible is our manual of instructions from God. Let us read it, know the meaning and application, and be like Jesus.

"Bible: Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth"

Happy reading!

I MISS YOU

To my dearest friend,

Before you go to bed, I love listening to you always. You tell me stories about all the things that happened to you today. I am so glad that as soon as you wake up, you greet me and say hello. You don’t forget to thank me before you take your breakfast. On your way to work, when you get into your car or take the public ride, you always ask me to be with you and keep you safe from harm in your every travel.

One time, I could still remember when you wanted to be promoted in your job or when you had a big decision to make, you consulted me. I always look at you when you come home at night and tired from work, you take your dinner while watching your favorite movie. I noticed your eyes get weary and tired and that’s the time you say your sweetest goodnight.

You visit me and I see you every Sunday with your family and friends, well I cannot say anything. You really look good in that fine clothes you wear.

Every time you talk to me, I listen. But I still miss you. I hope you find time to listen to me by reading my love letters for you written in the Bible. I have so many wonderful things to tell you. I want you to know how much I love and care for you. I miss you so much. Someday I would like you to be with me forever.



Your very best friend,
Jesus Christ

Start reading the gospel of Matthew
and get to know more about the love of Jesus.

Hide Behind the Tree

My love story is not at all dull and boring. I had a special girl in college whom I am going to tell you about. She keeps her life private. She is the quiet type who dislikes attention to herself. when we were going steady, she even told me not to tell anybody about our relationship.

I love her so much that I wanted everyone to know that she is my girl. I used to fetch her from school almost every day. But each time I would wait for her after school, she said, her classmates would tease her and tell her that I am outside waiting underneath a tree, and even some schoolmates whom she does not know would ask her if I am her boyfriend. She told me how she was annoyed by all these, and said,

"Mahal (My love), next time, please hide behind the tree. "

I was so hurt and asked her, "Why? Are you ashamed of me?" She answered.

"No, I just want some privacy."
I was immature then, I got so upset, and thought she did not love me.


Then I fell in love again, This time with the Lord Jesus Christ, and it was so different. At times, though, when He asked me to share His love to others, I felt like ..
"hiding behind a tree" .

He asked, "Why , my son? Are you ashamed of me?" I answered,
"No, I just want to keep our relationship secret."

Regretful, I remembered that He took all the shame when He was nailed on the cross for me. Now, I am no longer ashamed to share his love to others.
And I will not hide behind the tree .. anymore .

Bible Reading 10:32-33

Matthew 10:32-33 Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.

Meaning: I will acknowledge Jesus for Him to acknowledge me to His father in heaven

Application: I will start telling the love of Jesus to my family and friends

Character of Jesus: He doesn't want us to be ashamed of Him

A Very Special Gift

My uncle, who was a lawyer, received a very expensive gift from one of his clients. It was a glass horse about one foot high, so shiny and heavy. He showed it to me and as a young boy I always wanted to touch it and play with it. He placed it on top of his high cabinet.

My uncle was such a thoughtful person. He would remember everyone's birthday in the family including mine. He would always have a special birthday gift.


One time, it was my birthday and I went to his house but he was not around. Then i saw that glass horse atop. I was tempted to reach out for it. Stepping on the sofa, I stretched my short arms and small clumsy hand, held on the horse's legs, but suddenly it slipped my fingers. It fell, hit the floor so hard and was broken into pieces. My uncle was so disappointed when he found out. He did not give me a special gift for my birthday but instead gave me a scolding for what I did. I was also disappointed and I could not forgive myself.


When Jesus died on the cross He took away all our sins-- of the past and of the future. when we receive Him He will give us a special gift. It is a gift of eternal life-- our salvation. I believe that even if sometimes we fall and sin, He is always there ready to forgive and will not take away His special gift.

I love you Jesus.

Bible Reading: Matthew 9:9-13

9As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
10While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. 11When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"
12On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice." For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Meaning: Jesus loves a sinner who follows Him.

Application: He loves me a sinner but I have to stop sinning like Matthew

Character of Jesus: He came for a sinner like me