Sunday Scripture Verse: Hebrews 11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. ~ Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

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Praying for Haiti

A terrible magnitude 7.0 earthquake devastated Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. Many buildings collapsed and thousands are feared dead. I could not even imagine how incredibly hard it must be for those who are affected by this tragedy. For this to happen in the poorest country in the Western hemisphere is even more challenging.

I feel really helpless just watching the news... but I know one thing, prayer is powerful and effective. And in times like this, holding on to faith sustains us. It gives us hope that God would see us through our difficulties, even when we don't understand...

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
~ Matthew 5:4 (NIV)

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Sunday Scripture Verse: Jeremiah 29:11-13

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ~Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV)

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Sunday Scripture Verse: Psalm 139:13-16

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be" ~Psalm 139:13-16 (NIV)

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Sunday Reflections: Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Hebrews 11:1 is one of those hard to forget verses. Even in the most trying times of my life when I'm down or just plain apathetic--if I have to recall a scripture verse in a jiffy to encourage myself, this verse would first come to mind. It's just so simply put, you could not over-rationalize its meaning.

That over and above the craziness of our daily lives--nothing has changed about God's promises and his unconditional love. It's pure and simple faith that will get us to where we're supposed to go. We need to be reminded of this because we tend to make things complicated when we only need this one thing. So even when we are not sure we are up to it...let's just have faith.

***photo courtesy of Emman

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Sunday Reflections: Psalm 46:1-2, Romans 8:15

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.

~Psalm 46:1-2

With all the things that has been happening lately, it makes me wonder how long we have left until we totally destroy each other. People surely are trying their darndest to help bring that about. Here in the Philippines, in the wake of the worst mass murder in recent memory, we found out that the alleged perpetrators were being supplied with arms from our own police and military. Martial Law has been declared in Maguindanao which strikes me as a terrible overreaction--like getting a frontal lobotomy when stitches will do just as well.

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."

~Romans 8:15

Thank God we have scripture to guide us in these times. Giving in to fear is a temptation we should eschew. Fear is the enemy of faith. It could paralyze us to a point that our hope in our redemption could be compromised. I admit that it is not easy to be consistently hopeful when I see these reprehensible acts torment my country. But as a Christian, I know I should not fear because the fight is the Lord's. He would not give us up so easily. Not now, not ever.

*** thanks to Emmanuel for the pic

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