Merry Christmas!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ~Isaiah 9:6 (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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