"Let Go and Let God"

In John 6:40 Jesus declared, "For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." Overcome your fears and let God through the Holy Spirit mold you and rule your life. Be happy as you trust in Jesus, follow his teachings and God will bless your life abundantly. And in 1 Corinthians 5:16-17, the Holy Spirit in Saint Paul tells us, “Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”




In John 8:12, Jesus spoke again to the people saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." Make a difference in this world by helping others know Jesus in you and see the light ... Let your light shine brightly now!





And in Matthew 6:33, Jesus said, " Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." Live with true peace, see and feel the blessings and fulfillment that come upon your life when you do what is good for others as compared when you judge and cause pain in others which can bring so much stress, conflict and even illness in your life."





To Our Youth and The Weary, "Hope and Trust in God and Be Generous"

Herewith is a related inspirational message from the letter of St. Paul to the young Timothy (1Timothy 6:17-19), which states, “Command those who are rich in the present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”

Monday, April 19, 2010

Suggested Books

Books can be a treasure of knowledge and can be the best gift you can give to your friends and loved ones. A single book in itself, specially its contents, can be passed on from generation to generation as a legacy of no measure.

Herewith are books and ebooks suggested by this site which you may purchase as new, slightly used or used via amazon.com clicking from our site to help you save while at the same time helping our supported Catholic and Christian charities, organizations and renewal movements.

And may this verse from the 2nd letter of St. Peter (2 Peter 3:17-18) guide us in our choice, “be on your guard so you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.”

GHE

Hub Supporting videos and links for ebook:  "'Laminin,' Binding Truth of the Cross and Creation, and Avoiding Hell, Purgatory and Generational Sins."  - the crucified Christ in us in "Laminin," by Pinoy Blogger, Edwinoel Tanglao tells us of how the Holy Spirit has made manifest in the spirit of the author the truth about the protein molecule that is in a form of a cross, in us all, and the meaning of God's kingdom in us and understanding His greater will upon us all .

GUIDANCE

“The Incorruptibles” – “a Study of the Incorruption of the Bodies of Various Catholic Saints and Beati”, by Joan Carroll Cruz. More than 100 saints are featured in this book. They were God’s chosen people who have lived a life full of love for Jesus, for others, and with some devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mother, Mama Mary. It is a clear manifestation of Jesus’ power over life and death and the glorification of God through His Only Begotten Son.

“Christian Caregiving, A Way of Life” - by Kenneth C. Haugk; Shows us how to really care for the depressed, the downhearted, the sick and the homebound by way of faith and believing in Christ’s teachings, with the Holy Spirit as guide. The caregiver provides the care, while God provides the cure.

“Speaking The Truth In Love”“How to be an Assertive Christian” by Ruth N. Koch and Kenneth C. Haugk. Shows us the importance of speaking in Truth and Love as Christ has taught us, and learning the skills on how to be assertive, as Christ has been assertive in his lifetime, to live a life that is full of peace and fulfillment with others.

 “The Purpose Driven Life”by Rick Warren; Tells us our true purpose in this lifetime with Christ’s teachings as guide, that we may see the light and the right direction or path towards the afterlife.

“The Prayer of Jabez"by Bruce Wilkinson and David Kopp; Breaking through the Blessed life (Breakthough series); Highlighting the wonderful Prayer of Jabez in 1Chronicles; tells us how we too can be an instrument of God towards evangelization for peace and love, that we may avoid temptation and may not cause pain to others.

HEALTH

“Spontaneous Healing”"how to discover your body's natural ability to maintain and heal itself" by Andrew Weil, MD; Dr. Weill is a graduate of The Harvard University of Medicine and practiced medicine for about 5 years until he realized, after extensive travel and research, there was greater fulfillment in the practice of alternative medicine which primarily boosts the immune system against illness causing “free radicals”; he found this more effective and in this book, shows us how he keeps his patients healthier with natural remedies.

“World’s Greatest Treasury of Health Secrets”with Arthur P. Johnson as editor who has compiled amazing discoveries on various book resources, great health treasures worth sharing to the world; a total of 2618 lifesaving secrets all in one book and endorsed by the maverick “20/20” TV broadcaster Hugh Downs who boasts of this book as a dynamic source of effective cures to heart ailments, cancer, stomach ulcers and many more.

"NO More Heart Disease" - by Dr. Louis J. Ignarro - "How to prevent and even reverse Heart Disease and Strokes with a complete program for boosting production of the body's own wonder drug." 

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Feeling Depressed, Disappointed, Sad or Lonely, See The Best Remedy


(picture shows the Knights of Columbus of Queen of Peace Council sharing good tidings to the aged for Christmas in 2007 to cheer up their lonely hearts at St. Mary's Home for the Aged, Bacolod City, Philippines)

One who is in a state of depression can easily be led to more troubles and problems in life.

Depression, disappointments or loneliness are just like magnets which consciously or subconsciously attracts the unknown, makes life more difficult to handle and worse, bring it to a dangerous and uncontrollable state.

These negative conditions of the mind and body, or negative vibrations as others describe the feeling, can invite similar negativities that lead to a lot of stress and these may become health hazards as well.

This is when the blood pressure either goes so low as one may become anemic and looses control of his or her health or goes so high that the individual may experience an unhealthy heart condition. Either way you lose.

And when it gets into the very core, that is, within the spirit, this is where the real danger lies. Everything becomes crazy and uncontrollable.

This is the state when nothing seems to satisfy your whole being and your spirit for unmet 'material' and 'temporal' needs, or for other flimsy reasons, as you lose control of yourself, and sadly even your self respect, as your state of mind is that of denial, failing to accept reality, blaming all your woes to other people, often times, those who have loved and cared for you most. 
 
This is when people get stuck to drugs, weeds or dope, become promiscuous and prone to lust as they submit to the sins of the flesh that often leads to violence.

Their pride and arrogance start to consume their better judgment and others, unfortunately, begin to pity themselves.

And with guilt feelings or unforgiveness, with resentment or the absence of remorse over a wrongdoing, will this not confuse them further as they start to crumble?

Unable to forgive others and themselves, would vengeance and rebellious acts to try to get even solve the situation?   Or would this rather add more problems or flame to the fire as dark options of taking ones life or self destruction become an easy escape to a self perceived or self inflicted woe or burden?

Would this really solve the problem or add more woes to ones life and his love ones? Would this not lead to a social problem, an addiction or an illness? 

Wittingly or unwittingly, can this not drive others to do crazy things as ones sphere of influence through peer pressure becomes a magnet so strong that the adrenalin rush in ones body exhilarates to a level so high that one, with no self control, self discipline and proper guidance, finds himself dragged into the fray and fall into the same trap where there can be no return?

What is the best remedy?

Believe in Jesus and follow his teachings and you will always feel happy and satisfied as you learn to count more your blessings than your heartaches or worries.

There are a lot more blessings you can count than the smaller woes or problems that man or this world create.

There are more people who care for you and love you that you never ever imagined before.

Some may have been rude with you but  think beyond their actions, as their intentions may have been all along for your own good and for the concern and love they have for you.

More often than not, it pays to be more humble to the wisdom of authority as long as it is for our benefit in the long term and this includes the respect and honor due our parents, our elders and our superiors at work or in school.

If we love and respect for ourselves will we not do the same for others?

If ever we have done wrong, will it not be more relieving to accept and apologize in a way that  shows our sincere love and concern too for others?

Would this not free us from guilt as we learn the goodness of being truthful to ourselves, to others and to God?

In this way, do we not find more peace as we eventually forgiving ourselves thereby freeing us from the bondage of our fault?

And remember, we have a loving, merciful and forgiving God ever ready to embrace us with open arms back to his flock.

And with Jesus Christ, His Son, who has always been by our side carrying us specially during our lowest moments, as in the message of the songs “Footprints in the Sand” and “When God Ran.”

If we are for Christ Jesus and chose to live in Him, the Holy Spirit will always guide us to Him as stated in the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 1:4-5), "For he chose us in him, before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will - to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves."

The responsibility of becoming totally for him in faith and in practice or in words and in deeds, nevertheless, still lies and depends solely on us.

As St. Paul further stated in his letter to the youthful Timothy (1 Timothy 6:20), “…guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what has been called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith.”

And in Mathew 5:16, Jesus Christ tells his disciples, “… let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Let us continue to pray that we will be with Christ and will stay with Christ Jesus until the end of time.

The Almighty God’s love can never be measured in Christ Jesus. Jesus is much bigger than all the problems in the world combined.

Trust and believe in Him and you will be overwhelmed by His power and glory. There is nothing that can overcome this.

In John 14: 11-14 Jesus added, “Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me… I 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. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”

When you are with Him and accept Him as your Lord and Savior through the holy sacrament of baptism, the Holy Spirit will become your guide and you will feel God’s love and power in you as a renewed person, or a renewed Christian.


Show to the world that you are as big as Jesus and find the fruits of healing fill you with love, joy, happiness and peace, our heath rejuvenated in both body and spirit as we live this life on earth.

Use his Holy Name in driving away temptation and the evil one as we lift all our failure, defeat, disappointments, frustrations, resentment, ill fillings and inner vows to him in total surrender, and we will find true peace and happiness within our heart and spirit as we find love, humility, understanding, mercy and forgiveness as very powerful tools for all these.

Feel like Jesus, bigger than all problems in this world combined.

For all you know,  with the love of Jesus, the problem that we felt was over powering us has just come to pass without lifting a finger.

In Matthew 6:27, Jesus told his disciples not to worry and trust in his words, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"

Feel total freedom from all these magnets of evil, from all temptations and see the truth in Christ’s teachings and as we see the temple of God in the human body, God's greatest creation made in His image and likeness.

As in Matthew 24:35, Jesus tells his disciples about his second coming at the end of the world and the last judgment, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”

Christ's teachings of forgiveness, humility and love are embodied in the eight beatitudes in Mathew 5:3-10.

Read further “Christ’s Teachings And Counting Our Blessings Can Lead to True Peace In Life” as a related blog and pray be guided, click on the “guidance” label (labels are on righthand side column) of this blogsite and scroll down until you see the blog title.

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Child Singer Declan Galbraith's Moving Song "Tell Me Why"

(picture shows the Knights of Columbus Queen of Peace Council extending a helping hand on a Christmas season in 2007 to the orphans of Sto. Nino orphanage, run by nuns, in Bacolod City, Philippines)

Watch this "moving" song from youtube below with phenomenal young singer Declan Galbraight singing "Tell Me Why" more than 3 years back where he gained stardom.

It makes you stop and wonder how each one of us can make a difference in this world with so many children around the world brainwashed, misguided and/or suffering. In Christ's words in Mathew 19:14, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

In this we pray that all children around the world be duly cared for and guided in accordance to God's words that they may see the light, and share the light as they grow. Amen.

[Read on our related post on "Teaching Children Love and Obedience In and With Christ Jesus."]

Declan Galbraight is an English singer born on December 19, 1991 in Hoo St. Werburgh, Kent, England. He is of Irish and Scottish origin and he now lives with his family in South East England.

The grandfather was in a band, playing different instruments and took Declan to Fleadhs.

[Read more on Declan Galbraith on our Wikipedia link.]

Prayers Can Move Mountains

Send your petitions and prayer intentions via email (edwinoelt@yahoo.com, rest assured of utmost confidentiality, basically, only names concerned will be placed in 3 categories:  our beloved deceased; for physical, emotional and spiritual healing; and for other prayer intentions) we will pray that in Jesus' name, all these will be addressed and answered in God's time and in God's way through Jesus, His Son. We thank the Franciscan Friars, TOR, of Loretto PA, who are helping us pray in this ministry as we pass all your email petitions to them.  God's will be done as we KJOH (Keep Jesus in our Hearts).

And this page being devoted to prayer, may we treat all in it in respect and confidence of one another.

As in Matthew 18:20, Jesus said, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."


“I and the father are one”. In John 14: 11-14 Jesus added, “Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me… I 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. And I WILL DO WHATEVER YOU ASK IN MY NAME, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”

DIVINE WISDOM, nevertheless, makes us understand the true meaning of above shared verse.  Let us not be misled by our own interpretation based on our own human intelligence and limited understanding of God's words.  Through prayer, invoking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we are better guided to understand NOT WITH OUR PRIDE OR MALICE in our hearts, but with humility and obedience to God, where 'GOD'S WILL IN US COMES ULTIMATE AND FINAL' deserving all the respect, honor and glory of His Almighty Name, 'NOT OUR WILL BE DONE,' for whenever and however He may answer us in our prayers, He continues to TEST OUR FAITH and OBEDIENCE TO HIM as in the book of Job, that in our PATIENCE and PERSEVERANCE IN OUR FAITH, we may see us and our family MUCH BLESSED IN SPIRIT that is GREATER THAN WHAT WE MAY NEED MATERIALLY IN THIS WORLD for as WE MAY SEEK RIGHTEOUSNESS ALL OTHER BLESSINGS MAY COME, a POWERFUL MESSAGE and PROMISE of UNCONDITIONAL LOVE that HE WANTS US TO REPLICATE IN US IN OUR LOVE OF OTHERS, all these in MANY WAYS JUSTIFIED as they are TRUTHFUL, NOBLE and ETERNAL.  


Before sending your emailed petitions, everybody is invited to "pray to God for the cleansing of our body and spirit as we:  ask forgiveness for our sins, that the Holy Spirit may come upon us, that anything evil may depart from us, that we may be renewed with God in Jesus through His great love and mercy on us. With our faith in Jesus and through our good works we may glorify God's Almighty Name.  We know and we believe, that our prayers will be answered, in His own time, and in His own way.  We believe that only God knows what is best for us, as we surrender and lift up to Him all our failures, disappointments, trials, mourning and grief, as well as our joys, happiness and blessings in this life.  In the same way that we also lift up to our dear Lord God all petitions sent forth through this ministry that we are cleansed in both body and spirit from all burden derived from our prayers and petitions, offering all these at the foot of the cross of our beloved Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, cleansed by His blood in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen."


As we keep on praying for our dearly departed, that "they will be like angels in heaven."  And angels help in guiding and protecting us through our Lord Jesus Christ.  As in Matthew 22:30, Jesus said to the Sadducces who questioned him on marriage and resurrection, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage, they will be like the angels in heaven. But about the resurrection of the dead – have you not read what God said to you? I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. He is not the God of the dead but of the living.”  Let us remember of the consciousness of the spirit even when we die in Christ.  In Christ, living in FAITH and with GOOD DEEDS, may we continue to be blessed with  a LIFE that is ETERNAL with GOD, that even after death, with the forgiveness of our sins, we may LIVE FOREVER because we BELIEVE and STRIVE TO BE PERFECT in CHRIST.

In John 15:7,  Jesus said, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

[Read on related supporting post to ebook on 'Laminin,' the protein molecule that binds our cell and tissues together which is amazingly in the form of a cross:  "Supporting Videos and Links for ebook,'Laminin,' the Binding Truth of the Cross and Creation ...", which further explains, for those who may believe, how we may become stronger while we learn to live by His grace as we may carry our own cross in living by His grace and sharing God's truth in the love of Christ.].

[Read more about healing with a message from the Holy Spirit:  What Keeps Me Heahtly:  Faith, God's Words and a Sound Immune System].


And in Matthew 10:28, Jesus said that it is he (God) who is "able to destroy both soul and body in hell" who must be feared. In other words, as long as we may abide in Jesus and ask in all sincerity as he may listen to us in the forgiveness of our sins, and so for our deceased relatives, we may be able to save them from the fires of hell through our prayers in earnest - for "with God all things are possible," as in Matthew 19:26 -as both body and soul or spirit may live even after death, unless God so decides to destroy them in hell.

[Read on our related post on:  "Understanding God in Spirit and Christ's Saving Light" -  for added enlightenment.]


And the Franciscan Friars, TOR, our partners in our ministry, will more than appreciate any donation you may want to directly reach them through our link on this site. You may send pictures for possible posting on this blog too (send to edwinoelt@yahoo.com) with feedback for all answered prayers and petitions. 


Let us rejoice as we get inspiration from Luke 2:14, "Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests."



(Photo with Ler, Franz, Marvin, Jonathan, Pris, Shane, Jamie below)

(Photo with JC above with Fr. Chou Benlot of the Saint John and Mary Vianney Seminary in San Carlos City, Neg. Occ, Philippines, praying that more may help in the many activities in the Seminary)
(Photos here with BLD SE 11 Singles group in a successful seminar; and more past photos below for CFC Youth in TX and in CA, and BLD LSS and ME Seminars in Orange County, CA, as we continue to give glory to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ , as center of our life)
(Two Pictures show happy participants and leaders of DFW and Houston CFC Youth for Christ members after the successful Youth Conference Mar 2010 at Riverside University, California)
(successful BLD LSS in April 8-10, 2011:  with Lito, Edwin, Dan, BJ and Joey)
(Successful May 21-22, 2011 BLD ME 15 participants gathered during 1st Reunion with family in June 5, 2011: Vanessa and Orlando with Anastacia and Orlando Jr., Shepherd couple Ted and Prescy, Ed and Ler, Carmen, Myrrha and Dean w/ Mia).

Herein posting general prayer petitions with names on comments section each month for our prayer community to be praying for, together with our prayer partners, the Franciscan Friars, TOR, and with you, our dear readers, if you so opt to pray as well to receive appropriate indulgences, grace and blessings from the Lord.

As in Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus said to the doubting Pharisees on the question of what is the greatest commandment, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law of the Prophets hung on these two commandments.”

And in 1Corinthians 13:8-13, The Holy Spirit in Saint Paul concludes his powerful definition of love, “Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled, where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.


"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

Praying for divine enlightenment is our fervent goal, that the love of Jesus through the Holy Spirit may guide our hearts towards peace and unity among all Christian faithfuls as one bread and one body in Christ, and as we WELCOME and INVITE NON-CHRISTIANS with open arms, not only with Christ's love, but with His divine mercy and forgiveness as well, because JESUS LOVES ALL OF MANKIND, "THROUGH HIM ALL THINGS WERE MADE" as in John 1:3.

[Read more on related post:  'Laminin,' Binding Truth of the Cross and Creation, and Avoiding Hell, Purgatory and Generational Sins]


And may humility and obedience to God, with the power of the Holy Spirit, through the love of Christ Jesus in others and for others, keep our hearts on fire as we pray to be guided to see the "Truth, the Way and the Life" in Jesus (John 14:6).  May we continue to thank Him for all answered prayers and for all the blessings we have received and continue to receive in his Holy Name, all these we ask in the holy and mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

[You may read our post on "'Love' and Saint Paul, Love of God and Self-Pity," for added inspiration].


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When God Ran



This beautiful and very powerful inspirational Christian song, "When God Ran", is worth reflecting on. 

It shows how forgiving, how merciful our God through Jesus Christ His Son is, and how much He loves us all ... that He wants us all to be with Him ... yes ... be back with Him, in His flock. Thanks to Ging and Ringo for sharing their version on facebook.  

Here is a similar version complete with lyrics for the world to sing with us in praise and worship as he welcomes all of us back to his flock. To God be the glory ! 


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Suggestions

Will appreciate suggested topic(s) you may want to see in this blogspot under Guidance by clicking on comments below


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Putting God Into Your Life Can Make A Big Difference

Let us share with you this Christian dictum that has helped Pinoy Blogger keep his life on track …

“In everything that you do, do it right,
Keep in mind and follow God's commandments and Christ's teachings
Remember, God is watching you.
Give it your best shot,
And try to make a difference,
You are doing this not only for yourself
It is specially for others, that they may learn from you,
And better, if you can touch their lives and see Jesus in their faces
as such we are all created in the image and likeness of God
Take responsibility for your actions and decisions,
Do not whine, pass blame or think malice of others,
The more you judge, the more you need to see yourself in the mirror
The more you forgive, the more your sins are forgiven
and the more you will experience peace in yourself
The more you humble yourself yet speaking in truth and in love,
the more you shall gain respect and be elated
The more you give comfort, in God’s words you will be comforted
The more you share, the more you will see and feel
countless blessings come upon your life
Whatever the outcome in whatever you do, glorify the Lord
For He knows what is best for you.
Then you can start counting your blessings
And you will realize how much you are loved by God Almighty,
By your family, your friends, and others as well.”

May you find true wisdom in putting Christ at the center of your life so you can attain true peace where love, understanding, mercy and forgiveness abounds.
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Christ's Teachings and Counting Our Blessings Can Lead to True Peace in Life

May this image of a dolphin, the sea angel, reminds us of our quest for peace and an undying love and friendship with our neighbors in Christ Jesus ... as we 'share the light.'


Man was created by God. Whatever man makes, can be used to glorify his Creator, because all things in this world can be utilized by people who become willing instruments of God's love.

If we sincerely want to serve Him, one great way is to follow Christ's teachings with that extra effort exerted to render unconditional love with care, humility, understanding and forgiveness to all mankind and to be a strong instrument to one's salvation through faith.

We need to pray to God constantly in almost everything that we do which develops an intimacy within that bond with Him that was created through baptism with water and with the Holy Spirit.

It is the same kind of closeness that one builds up in a relationship with confidence and trust that grows through prayers and hymns that delight's our Almighty Father and God.

And through Jesus, His Son, as friend and guide, you will see many miracles and signs of his presence along the way.

Thanking God every now and then for things that come and happen in our life, good or bad, show our strong faith in Him that He is always there on our side, and if we think it is so heavy a problem we cannot handle, make no mistake about it, He is carrying our load or burden.

In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus says, “Come to me all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest". If it is not for us, then it will not be for us. He knows what is best for us. Consider any rejection as an opportunity, an eye opener and perhaps, a reminder to keep us back in His flock.

So “therefore, do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own,” as Christ states in Matthew 6:34.

And would we prefer to dwell in the past rather than learn from it and move forward to become more productive in our work under God’s guidance? Are we not led to more troubles and conflicts, or to stress and sleepless nights that can cause illness upon us, or cause pain to others as we dig on and hold on to our past?

Are we not further troubled, led to temptation and sin to satisfy what is evil whenever we keep on blaming others for material things and mistakes of the past rather than count our blessings and be more forgiving?

Even Jesus admonished us to love our enemies.  Enmity is caused more often by too much pride and belief in our self than of God, and by worldly things that leads us to vanity and disillusion.

As in Luke 23:34, he forgave those who have crucified him on the cross, saying (in one of his great Seven Last Words), “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”

This is, perhaps, one of the hardest things a man can do, to love your enemy, and seeing him becoming your friend. But the truth reveals that eventually, is this not more gratifying and healthy as peace and friendship abounds in your life?

And in Matthew 18:22 when Jesus was asked by Peter how many times shall we forgive, Jesus said to him in reply, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times," or as much as you can forgive as God has always been forgiving, and not to abuse this as God knows who are sincere in their hearts in asking forgiveness, that they may truly repent and sin no more.

Our blessings are far more to count than what we may have lost. And our sufferings are but a trial of our faith in our Creator, and remember, pain is but in our body.  As long as the spirit endures along with our faith and trust in the Lord our God, there is nothing we should fear.

Opening our eyes to greet a new day every morning is more than enough blessing in itself. We have to thank God for the gift of life to enjoy.

Thanking God for all the material things in our life is the best manifestation of our understanding that He has blessed our life and that we are here in this life not only to satisfy ourselves, but others foremost.

As a parent, He guides us to become a good Christian example to our family and to others.  Christianity begins at home and in 1 Timothy 3:1-5, St. Paul defines the overseer as the "husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect."  

And we can keep our family and community happy by sharing our God given talents, thoughts and treasures in this short and temporary life with that fervent hope of being blessed with a ticket to heaven in the afterlife.

Be that as it may, vigilance against temptation is still a must as the evil one is ever relentless and works overnight for the improper and selfish use of material things. Be wary that we do not become slaves to material things to profess vanity and pride or to instill violence and injustice with malice towards others eventually causing hardships and pain to many.

Let us be reminded always by what Jesus has said to his disciples in Matthew 6:24 that we cannot serve two masters at the same time. We choose only one … either God or Mammon (money or material things).

And Jesus tells us not to lose our soul by clinging to what is worldly or evil. In Matthew 16:25-26, he reiterates to his disciples, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?"


In Matthew 5:37, Jesus encourages us to be honest when asked to answer either a "yes" or a "no," "Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No' be 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." 


St. Paul further states in Philippians 4:8-9, "... whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you."


[Refer to the Ten Commandments for further reflection and inspiration as we seek enlightenment in God's commandments.]

If we opt to be ruled by material things or by money, which the evil one prefers, can we ever attain satisfaction and peace in our life?

[Read on our post touching on guidance for children, "Teaching Children About Love and Obedience."]

You may read further our related post, "Putting God in Your Life Can Make a Big Difference," as we KJOH.

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