The Promise of God

An Anchor for our Soul


"So that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast...."- Hebrews 6:18 & 19




To Adam


"And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her SEED; He shall bruise you on the head and you shall bruise Him on the heel." Genesis 3:15


"The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them." Genesis 3:21
                                               (the first animal butchered by God that bled)
                                               Has this any significance on your personal faith in God?


To Abraham


"And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed." Genesis 12:3


                    For what does the Scriptures say? "Abraham believed GOD, and it was credited
                    to him as righteousness."- Romans 4:3 ...that He might be the father of all who 
                    follow in the steps of faith..."- Romans 4
                                                  Has this any significance on your personal faith in God?



To Israel
                   Moses and the Law > those who believe were awaiting for the Savior
                   prophesied in the Old testament age. They were offering and killing animals
                   to cover their sins. They were following the rules set forth which were tedious and
                   very difficult for the nation of Israel. 

                                                                                
                   "But as for you Bethlehem, Ephrathah, though thou be little among the clans of
                    Judah, from you will come forth to be the Ruler of Israel, Whose from everlasting."
                    - Micah 5:2 

                   Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold! a virgin will be with 
                   child and bear a son, and she will call His Name Immanuel.-  Isaiah 7:14


                   For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will
                   rest on His shoulders; and His Name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty
                   God, Father of eternity, Prince of peace- on the throne of David and over His
                   kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with righteousness, from then on and
                   forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.- Isaiah 9:6 & 7
                                                         Has this any significance on your personal faith in God?


His fulfillment


                   Matthew 1:23 Immanuel means "God with us"


                   Luke 2:7-14 And she gave birth to her firstborn son...angels surround the shepherds 
                   who were sore afraid. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid: for behold,
                   I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; ...in the city of
                   David  has been born to you a Saviour, Who Is Christ The Lord...

for everyone, for us                            


                   Jesus is the messiah in Hebrew, the Christus in Greek and Savior in English.


                    Acts 4:12 "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other Name that 
                    has been given among men by which we must be saved."


                    He grew without a single sin, and at 33 1/2 He was crucified for all the sin
                    of the people past, present and future. He was buried and after three days
                    He arose.


                    It is by faith alone in Him, Jesus Christ the God-man, the only object of salvation and 
                    faith in His work on the cross. This is the grace of God. His works not ours. No 
                    amount of man's good work can please God, only faith... Hebrews 11:6 "And without 
                    faith it is impossible to please God..."
                                                                  Has this any significance on your personal faith in God?


                    Jesus Christ, The preexistent God like The Father and Holy Spirit, was born 
                    between 4 to 5 B.C. Isn't it great to think that both Jews and Gentiles 
                    calendar changed from that day onward following Jesus birth on that 
                    manger? Who can perform this but also God alone! Well, HAPPY 
                    BIRTHDAY LORD JESUS!  The exact month & day we do not know but the 
                    world celebrates it on the 25th of December.


                    He is the image of the invisible God, the first born of every creation.
                    For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible 
                    and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities- all 
                    things have been created through Him and for Him. He Is before all things 
                    and in Him all things hold together.- Colosians1:15-17




                                                          He died for us, was buried

                                                                      He arose

                                                           went up to Heaven & coming
                                                           again in the clouds to gather
                                                           those who put  their faith   in
                                                                                 Him!

Bon Voyage & Till We Meet Again

Remembering the man who lived on May 17, 1957 until December 16, 2006 

This is what happened to my most beloved man, next to my salvation I always thank God he is that man for me, my better half. This blog I dedicate to him as I remember the time of his departure to glory.  Let me talk as if directly to him.


It is so amazing that your birthday coincides with your grandmother, your rector and your mom-in-law(my mom), no wonder you got a unique bonding among them. You eagerly went home after nearly 10 years from studying abroad to take care of your ailing mother knowing that you can have a better life if you waited for a resident position there. This got a great commendation in my heart for you.  Your mom told me this and saw it with my two eyes. You were there prince at home being the youngest and the only son. She asked for a son to serve Him full time. Until your High School you were closely and lovingly cared for. However in college, away from home a million miles,  you became a work scholar. You were assigned in the kitchen and cleaner of the hallway. Your exact height-  was it 5 ft tall (oh boy) and the pots and pans were way taller than you? you've got to wash them several times a day.  You were reprimanded because the first time you used the push broom you used it like the hard broom way back in our country. I laughed with tears rolling down my face. However, those hard days made you the exact man God molded to do His work in this part of the globe. This page will not accommodate if I will enumerate your insurmountable hardships  in your college and post graduate life that you said many instances you wanted to give up. Then several men of God encouraged and helped you adjust until you were able  and became exceptional with your studies too. Well, I happened to read one letter from your professor back in your Florida school in college. Added to that was your chancellor's gift to you and your classmates for a  free trip to the land of Israel particularly in the town of Bethlehem and Galilee.  You said you were challenged to follow the steps of Jesus, being humble and obscure in His omniscience. 

                                                                                                                                                         God gave you and me 3 wonderful kids. You were very hands on in caring and keeping them grow up in an environment of safe and where true learning takes place. You evangelize them over and over making sure they understand and believe the Gospel. You encouraged them to become medical doctors. You influenced them in the field of music and deep studies of the Bible.  You showed us that life is hard but laughter is free. Attitude is what matters most you said.   I love that and saw your concern for people. There is not one person who can get inside the house without hearing the Gospel even students. You were so concern with the young  people, the children, the adults, the widows and orphans. When at night you recognized the drunk on the road you accompanied them safely to their home not minding the smell of their vomits spread on your shirt. When you passed by a person depressed with their vehicle that broke down on the highway, you were towing them to the nearest mechanic shop. You said perhaps there is a way for you to share the Gospel if they are seekers of God. At home, your personal study was incomparable. A library of more than 3000 books was enough to occupy the day when you stay at home reading, studying, researching.  This got a great impact on the young minds of our children, their love for reading and challenging themselves for deeper knowledge is noteworthy.  This opened my life also to increase in learning and to pursue truth that changes lives.

 Studies at home, family fun, church, camps and seminars during school vacations. You showed great leadership.  You freely shared your skills, talents and resources actively as you expect others to offer their God given potentials as well.  You challenged me to just offer my best for God, studying because you said one day I will understand my spiritual gift and God will develop me according to His plan if I am fully surrendered to Him. Wait! you also had many weaknesses like being impatient when people were not following rules in a certain place.  You were irritated with drivers who blows horn very loud and others. This was our life before you became ill.  In all those times I never heard you complained. I will just hear your feelings when you describe them to the doctors as they get history of your health and were trying to diagnose on you.  One time you were misdiagnosed. It was still far from my mind that you were leaving for glory.  Your preaching and teaching on those times became intense reminding us that Heaven is real. That we will see Christ face to face and will spend a million years in awe of His majesty. 


Eight months before that December your doctor finally came up with the biopsy result, it was cancer.  Yours was a fatty liver organ. What a shock! Yes, it can happen to people with zero content of any alcoholic drink. You never had cirrhosis. The doctors declared maybe it is because of too much oily food especially from street foods, genetics or an exposure to some radiation. We can never be certain about this. The funny side is that you were more than eager to see the beauty of the second life. Your prayer was to take you home with God before you will lose weight and people might not recognize your frail body. You shared with some friends your excitement to go but your worry was me, a weak wife because I could not bear to see you go and I wont. I pleaded with God. However on 16th December 2006, God answered your prayer.  After twice revived by electric shock, I came to my mind and gave you up to Him who made you and who can love you better than I.  You still managed to give a smile with tears rolling your eyes when you heard my voice giving you back to God and thanking Him for sharing you with me.  I promised you,  I will manage and help the kids grow  well.  I praise God for the strength and guidance on that day onward.


                                                  2:10 AM you were declared gone to eternity. I saw your body wrapped in white cloth right in front of me and your sister. How good she was to read the Bible all throughout that night. I thank my friend who accompanied you to the morgue but Oh I asked the hospital not to place you in their freezer.  More friends joined me to bring you to the funeral parlor to wash and embalm your body. At 4:00 AM while I was waiting for the cashier, the hospital office played the song, "It's Christmas my love, I am looking for you and missing..." (Pasko na sinta ko in our dialect). Outside, I know it was one sunny day but all the colors I saw was literally gray everywhere.  I could not explain but emotions change senses as I experienced it but then I asked God for grace to keep my mind sane and working. That happened! The influx of many friends and loved ones and their messages from God's word brought comfort to me and our children.  I finally realized that you are indeed completely healed by God, free from pain, from problems and earthly concerns. Indeed what an answer to our prayers!
                
Now it's been 5 years. We have moved on by God's grace. Your desire and prayers for us are almost tangible. Faith is substance according to Hebrews.  I don't stop missing you and thank God for you.  Someday we'll see you there, can you meet me at the front door?

We met in 1984, became very good and best friends in 1985, became
lovers and engaged in 1986 and finally tie the knot in 1987. Our lives together was not perfect on a daily basis but majority of our days together were perfectly great. He is a so funny guy being full of humor and gentleness. We agreed that our first love would be God and to serve Him in a ministry He initiated for us.  We also agreed to give preference to each other and speak our minds out in a constructive way as much as we can. Let this find something a little worthwhile to those who may drop by and read..

COURAGE IN THE MIDST OF CRISES

FACING REALITY

How can a terminal illness affect your life? If the victim is your most beloved spouse how would you manage to deal with the situation? If he is your child how can you bear? As a spouse or parent you can either help or hasten the demise of your loved one.  Worse, you too will soon be ill.

Illness always comes like a thief at a time that you never expect, much more never wanted! Composure is a must for you if you are the healthy and the strong. Pray, ask God for direction what hospital and who to consult regarding physicians. Never show your disappointment why he or she got sick in a time of too much difficulty and crisis. Always ask God's grace to be cheerful, decisive and optimistic. You must know how to speak and when to keep silent. Express how much you love; enjoy taking care of him or her. Remember, ill people are very sensitive and are easily infected with other kinds of diseases.You must always have the wisdom when and who to accept visitations. Be sure that they will give positive outlook for your patient. Always remind every family member to show love and concern with well-meaning words to hasten recovery. There must be lots of nutritious foods in a cheerful and peaceful neat room. The room ambiance adds to the emotions with a music that lifts God for healing and revival.

There are days that the ill will be very weak and very helpless. Never vent your hurts in front of him or her. Go to God to a place that you can cry, to a person that you trust until you can regain yourself. Go back to him or her to care with a smile and with love. Your own health being the caregiver is very important so try to eat well taking supplements too. You cannot be sick as well nor you want to be a carrier of infections. Talk about anything of interests to your patient. Read the 'get well soon cards', notes and text messages. Show him photos to perk his feelings. Read to him or her the Bible which is the spiritual food of the soul. If he wants to receive calls, go ahead. Show hope so that he or she will have a goal to be up quickly.

Habitually, update friends and loved ones with your patient's hospital record. You and your family need a lot of prayers, encouragements and financial helps in such a time as this. It will surprise you, all the aids will just flow on you. Always thank God for your loved one who is ill and commit him or her to God. Thank the doctors everyday, pray for them and the medicines. Pray for a stable and courageous mind to plan whenever the most fearful time comes, his or her death .Where will you bring for the embalment, for the funeral and the final rest.

Every second though as long as there is breath, expect God to give His miracle and restore to normal life.

It is tough, it is draining. We can only live one day at a time. We all should remember that every man has an end. How will that happen? We all don't know, that is why it is vital for us to save some money for those times when our health will fail, or when we are aged, or come unexpected terminal illness, and even to help loved ones or friends in dire need. Don't ignore or run away, face reality by the grace of The Almighty!

For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:21

This is written from the blogger's own experience. Hoping that every reader will appreciate his or her loved ones and his or her health as well while your time allows. Also praying that my blog tomorrow will be about the anniversary of my departed one...it's great to blog when there is a purpose...

IN RETROSPECT

EVALUATION, I self -EXAMINED MYSELF 

 Recently, there were  lots of self examinations I made.                    
                       
 I have been to several funeral services of people with different ages.  Lifeless, the real persons were gone.  All that was left were the physical bodies which cannot do any physical gestures anymore.  It was a tough sight to see loved ones crying over the corpse but that's the only emotional release and nothing to help raise the breathless body back to life. This scene captured longer times in my imagination. I found myself scribbling the image where the mind and voice departing out from the body.  I smile when I hear the voice of singing praises but feels a cold blood rushing my back when I imagine people screaming, battling against their destiny,  clinging on to stay in the body and on this planet earth.

                                                                            
                         I thought over and over that this body that we can see is just a container of our true person with the traits. The body is the visible part to identify the person inside who cannot be seen. The person inside of the body has a distinct voice, can see, feel and reason. As long as Creator God allows this person to live, the body functions, speaks, eat, works, moves, breathes....

                      This retrospection carried me to a greater awe of God's genius about His creating power especially about His masterpiece, man.  I have stayed with a number until their last breath were taken.  They that called upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and claimed to know God personally and have put their faith on His work on the cross were very calm even those dying with cancer. I saw those that hated to die, to leave their body,  were cursing, blaming God, yet, still died while being very restless, afraid and fighting longer for their last breath.
                          
                         My retrospection ended up with a much appreciation that all people on earth are not an accident. God has left an instruction manual, the Bible that if we really seek Him, His grace is available at all times.  We cannot forever be narcissistic following our own whims and qualms but humbly submit to the eternal intention of our Maker why He created man. He wants an intimate fellowship and this is only possible if we believe in the Reconciler, Jesus Christ Himself who lives without beginning and without end but submitted to become flesh to show us His love. 

                           Forever grateful... that while our outward body will die one day, our self,  the inner person will enjoy with God forever and ever. What peace, what joy, what hope do we have in Him...He Who promised to us is faithful!

Ecclesiastes 7:2 "It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will consider his heart." 


The Gospel unto salvation is: The Second Person of the Godhead, Jesus Christ became man died on the cross to pay the penalty of sin (original sin in Adam), He died was buried and rose again.  Anyone who takes this by faith,  God guarantees eternal life of his soul to be with Him in Heaven. [Romans 1:16]