If I can live out Pablo Neruda’s famous line, “Tonight I can write the saddest lines…,” tonight will be that night. Because tonight is one of my saddest moments.
As if my recent personal battles aren’t enough, I received the sad news yesterday morning that one of my nephews passed away in a motorcycle accident. He was only 20 years old.
Mabait na bata, nag-aaral ng kursong Criminology, naging contestant sa isang pageant sa school at sa town namin. Sya ‘yung nagbigay sa amin kay Mama White (our white hen), na naging simula nang aming pilot project sa backyard poultry farming. Hindi man ako nagkaanak, but I love my nephews and nieces as if they are my own. Kung hingin ni Lord na isakripisyo ko buhay ko alang-alang sa kanila, I wont hesitate to do it.
Makulugon. Pero baka ito na talaga ang time na itinakda ng Panginoon para kunin sya.
Nope, my spiritual warfare is far from over. Last night, I found myself picking up my Bible, fumbling through its cover in between sobs, until my fingers rested on these pages on two random openings of the Bible. I have a habit of randomly opening pages from the Bible and just let God lead me to His message for me when I am too overwhelmed by a lot of things.
When I go through spiritual warfare, I couldn’t think properly, and I don’t know what to do, my initial step is to read the Bible. Then after reading, I pray. And I would like to stress the importance of having a spiritual family, not only so someone can pray for you, but also to remind you when it comes to the proper response when you are in a season of severe testing and trials.
Just like what happened when I watched the morning worship and prayer. I became too focused on God here in my blog that I didn’t realize I failed to acknowledge Jesus Christ. I was then reminded that I have to go through Jesus Christ first before I can approach God. That it was Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and His suffering on the Cross that actually paved the way for my salvation.
“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.” – John 3:16
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5
“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'” – Acts 2:38
“For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'” – Romans 10:13
“And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” – Acts 2:21
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” – Acts 3:19
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14
“And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on His name.” – Acts 22:16
Have you been watching the news lately? I know a lot of us are worried and anxious about what is going to happen in the coming months or years. Please refer to the screenshots below.
I’m seeing people on social media wanting to leave the country already and live somewhere else, but here. But to be honest, there is no safe place anymore in this world with everything that is going on. If things get worse, the best place to be is where your family, relatives, close friends, and church mates are – the ones whom you’ve spent most of your life with.
Not with strangers in a foreign country where you don’t trust anyone. Surviving in unfamiliar territory is way more challenging. And yet the random Bible verses I mentioned earlier, which I stumbled upon while grieving over my nephew’s unexpected passing, are somehow God’s assurance of what is to come.
The random Bible verses I stumbled upon when I read my Bible and the Bible verses I posted above are a final call to repent and seek the name of the Lord while there is still time. The urgency is already here to turn back from our sinful ways and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. I am sure you have seen a lot of these on social media lately, and I know, too, that it isn’t a coincidence.
That’s why my grieving is not only about losing people I love but more about grieving for people whom I have been praying over for the longest time who haven’t repented sincerely, haven’t turned back from their wicked ways yet, and still don’t have a genuine and personal relationship with God. We’ve all had those people in our lives.
God’s gift of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ is meant for all. Because we all have sinned. And there are people in my life right now whom I want to see and be with in the new Heaven and the new Earth. That’s why I never stop praying for them.
Bishop Manny Carlos mentioned in one of the Morning Worship and Prayer episodes I watched that there is a prayer and fasting happening sometime in November, participated in by the leaders of the churches all over the Philippines. He is inviting us to join the body of Christ in this time of intercession.
The church has to be ready. It is getting ready. The groom is coming for His bride. Are you spiritually ready?
P.S. I don’t want to end this article without imparting a couple of tips for practical applications when it comes to preparing, because as James 2:26 says, “Faith without deeds is dead.” When God asks us to prepare, we prepare, and then we leave the rest to God.
- Keep your Emergency Bag ready at all times and update it always, making sure it has the necessities you need for every type of emergency – war, drought, typhoons, earthquakes, pandemic, and flood.
- Economists say it is best to hold on to your cash for now – don’t make any loans, major investments, huge purchases, or business expansions.
- Make sure you have enough cash with smaller bills in case of a digital meltdown and access to the internet is limited, and you have a hard time transferring funds online.
- Prepare your Bug Out Location, especially for those who live in the cities.
- Orient family members about emergency plans, survival tips, and meet-up points.
P.P.S. I had to edit this article (40 Year of Gratitude + TJM’s 14th Anniversary) because when I reread it just now, I noticed that Jesus wasn’t included in the list. Ugh, how could I possibly forget?! Jesus can never be out of the picture because He is actually the very reason why I was here, and He is the center of Christianity. Actually this is also one of the reasons why I set up this blog and share my spiritual journey here. I want to be open to corrections, especially when it comes to my faith, because I don’t have any background in theology. My interpretation of the Bible is also subjective because it is based on my experiences. I am grateful that we have the church that takes on the role of continuously ministering and rebuking, so we can all walk blameless in front of God during Judgment Day. I pray the church will hold a 1-day lecture/seminar about eschatology and just clarify if the Rapture will come before the Tribulation or after. 🙏