Spend time in thanksgiving, praise, and worship

 12 Keys to effective prayer for believers in Jesus Christ

#3 Spend time in thanks, praise, & worship before & after a request.

I know a lady who has many grandchildren, but only regularly sends birthday cards and presents to three of them. Do you know why? Those three grandchildren always thank her for her gifts and for remembering their birthdays. The others don't.

Our relationship with God should be a personal and loving one on both ends. Obviously, God loves us dearly. (John 3:16) It is only right that we respond in kind. 

 

Praising God, worshipping Him, and thanking Him for what He has done, is doing, and will do for us is not only appropriate and a blessing to God, but it also helps us. When we spend the time to dwell on God, our faith rises up, our problems seem much smaller compared to Almighty God, and joy springs up out of our spirits.

I really think that it does more good for us than for God, but it is also a blessing to God, and it is nice to be able to return something of value to Him. God has done so very much for us already that if we think about it much at all, it isn't hard to find lots to thank Him for.

On top of that, it is entirely appropriate to thank God for answers to prayers that you know by faith God has given you, even though you may not see them, yet. Joshua and his army were instructed to give their victory shout before the walls of Jericho came down.

Psalm 100
A Psalm of thanksgiving.

Shout for joy to Yahweh, all you lands!
    Serve Yahweh with gladness.
Come before his presence with singing.
    Know that Yahweh, he is God.
It is he who has made us, and we are his.
    We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,
    Into his courts with praise.
    Give thanks to him, and bless his name.
For Yahweh is good.
    His loving kindness endures forever,
    His faithfulness to all generations.

Luke 11:12-19
12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

A Divided House Cannot Stand

14 Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. 15 But some of them said, "By Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons."

16 Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven. 17 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: "Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall.

18 If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebul. 19 Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges.

2 Corinthians 2:14
Triumphant in Christ
14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.

2 Corinthians 9:15
15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!



Ephesians 1:15-23

Prayer for Knowledge and Understanding

 15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God's people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[1] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength

20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Ephesians 5:17-21
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,

20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

12 Mga susi sa mabisang panalangin para sa mga mananampalataya kay Jesu-Kristo

#3 Gumugol ng oras sa pasasalamat, papuri, at pagsamba bago at pagkatapos ng isang kahilingan.

May kilala akong babae na maraming apo, ngunit regular lang na nagpapadala ng mga birthday card at regalo sa tatlo sa kanila. Alam mo ba kung bakit? Ang tatlong apo na iyon ay palaging nagpapasalamat sa kanyang mga regalo at sa pag-alala sa kanilang mga kaarawan. Yung iba hindi.

Ang ating relasyon sa Diyos ay dapat na personal at mapagmahal sa magkabilang dulo. Malinaw na mahal na mahal tayo ng Diyos. (Juan 3:16) Tama lamang na tumugon tayo sa kabaitan.

Ang pagpupuri sa Diyos, pagsamba sa Kanya, at pasasalamat sa Kanyang ginawa, ginagawa, at gagawin para sa atin ay hindi lamang angkop at pagpapala sa Diyos, ngunit nakakatulong din ito sa atin. Kapag gumugugol tayo ng oras upang manahan sa Diyos, ang ating pananampalataya ay tumataas, ang ating mga problema ay tila mas maliit kumpara sa Makapangyarihang Diyos, at ang kagalakan ay bumubukal sa ating mga espiritu. 

Talagang iniisip ko na ito ay higit na mabuti para sa atin kaysa sa Diyos, ngunit ito rin ay isang pagpapala sa Diyos, at nakakatuwang maibalik ang isang bagay na may halaga sa Kanya. Napakarami nang nagawa ng Diyos para sa atin na kung iisipin natin ito nang husto, hindi mahirap humanap ng maraming ipagpasalamat sa Kanya.

Higit pa rito, lubos na angkop na pasalamatan ang Diyos para sa mga sagot sa mga panalangin na alam mong sa pamamagitan ng pananampalataya na ibinigay sa iyo ng Diyos, kahit na hindi mo pa nakikita ang mga ito. Si Joshua at ang kanyang hukbo ay inutusan na sumigaw ng kanilang tagumpay bago bumagsak ang mga pader ng Jerico.

Awit 100
Isang Awit ng pasasalamat.

Sumigaw sa kagalakan kay Yahweh, kayong lahat na lupain!
     Paglingkuran si Yahweh nang may kagalakan.
Lumapit sa kanyang presensya na may pag-awit.
     Alamin na si Yahweh, siya ang Diyos.
Siya ang lumikha sa atin, at tayo ay kanya.
     Tayo ay kaniyang bayan, at mga tupa ng kaniyang pastulan.
Pumasok sa kanyang mga pintuang-daan na may pasasalamat,
     Sa kanyang mga hukuman na may papuri.
     Magpasalamat kayo sa kanya, at purihin ninyo ang kanyang pangalan.
Sapagkat si Yahweh ay mabuti.
     Ang Kanyang kagandahang-loob ay magpakailanman,
     Kanyang katapatan sa lahat ng henerasyon.

Lucas 11:12-19
12 O kung humingi siya ng itlog, bibigyan ba siya ng alakdan? 13 Kung kayo nga, bagama't kayo'y masasama, ay marunong magbigay ng mabubuting kaloob sa inyong mga anak, gaano pa kaya ang inyong Ama sa langit na magbibigay ng Espiritu Santo sa mga humihingi sa kaniya!"

Hindi Makatayo ang Isang Bahay na Nahati

14 Pinalayas ni Jesus ang isang demonyong pipi. Nang makaalis ang demonyo, nagsalita ang taong pipi, at namangha ang mga tao. 15 Datapuwa't sinabi ng ilan sa kanila, Sa pamamagitan ni Beelzebul, ang prinsipe ng mga demonio, ay nagpapalayas siya ng mga demonio.

16 Sinubok siya ng iba sa pamamagitan ng paghingi ng tanda mula sa langit. 17 Alam ni Jesus ang kanilang mga iniisip at sinabi sa kanila: “Anumang kaharian na nagkakabahabahagi laban sa kaniyang sarili ay mawawasak, at ang isang sambahayan na nagkakabahabahagi laban sa kaniyang sarili ay babagsak.

18 Kung si Satanas ay nagkakabaha-bahagi laban sa kanyang sarili, paanong mananatili ang kanyang kaharian? Sinasabi ko ito dahil sinasabi mong nagpapalayas ako ng mga demonyo sa pamamagitan ni Beelzebul. 19 Ngayon kung nagpapalayas ako ng mga demonyo sa pamamagitan ni Beelzebul, sa pamamagitan ng kanino sila pinalalabas ng iyong mga tagasunod? Kaya pagkatapos, sila ang iyong magiging mga hukom.

2 Corinto 2:14
Tagumpay kay Kristo
14 Ngunit salamat sa Diyos, na laging umaakay sa atin bilang mga bihag sa prusisyon ng tagumpay ni Kristo at ginagamit tayo upang ipalaganap ang samyo ng kaalaman tungkol sa kanya sa lahat ng dako.

2 Corinto 9:15
15 Salamat sa Diyos para sa kaniyang di-mailarawang kaloob!

Panalangin para sa Kaalaman at Pang-unawa

Efeso 1:15-23

15 Dahil dito, mula nang marinig ko ang tungkol sa inyong pananampalataya sa Panginoong Jesus at sa inyong pag-ibig sa lahat ng bayan ng Diyos, 16 hindi ako tumigil sa pasasalamat para sa inyo, na inaalala kayo sa aking mga panalangin. 17 Patuloy akong humihiling sa Diyos ng ating Panginoong Jesu-Kristo, ang maluwalhating Ama, na bigyan kayo ng Espiritu[1] ng karunungan at paghahayag, upang mas makilala ninyo siya.

18 Idinadalangin ko na ang mga mata ng inyong puso ay lumiwanag upang malaman ninyo ang pag-asa na itinawag niya sa inyo, ang kayamanan ng kanyang maluwalhating pamana sa kanyang banal na bayan, 19 at ang kanyang walang katulad na dakilang kapangyarihan para sa ating mga naniniwala. Ang kapangyarihang iyon ay kapareho ng makapangyarihang lakas

20 Nagsumikap siya nang ibangon niya si Kristo mula sa mga patay at iluklok siya sa kanyang kanang kamay sa mga kaharian sa langit, 21 na higit sa lahat ng pamamahala at awtoridad, kapangyarihan at paghahari, at bawat pangalan na itinatawag, hindi lamang sa kasalukuyang panahon kundi maging sa ang darating.

22 At inilagay ng Diyos ang lahat ng bagay sa ilalim ng kanyang mga paa at itinalaga siyang maging ulo ng lahat ng bagay para sa simbahan, 23 na siyang kanyang katawan, ang kapuspusan niya na pumupuno ng lahat ng bagay sa lahat ng paraan.

Efeso 5:17-21
17 Kaya't huwag kayong maging hangal, kundi unawain ninyo kung ano ang kalooban ng Panginoon. 18 Huwag kayong magpakalasing sa alak, na humahantong sa kahalayan. Sa halip, mapuspos kayo ng Espiritu, 19 na nagsasalita sa isa't isa ng mga salmo, mga himno, at mga awit mula sa Espiritu. Umawit at gumawa ng musika mula sa iyong puso para sa Panginoon,

20 Laging nagpapasalamat sa Diyos Ama para sa lahat ng bagay, sa pangalan ng ating Panginoong Jesu-Cristo. 21 Magpasakop kayo sa isa't isa bilang paggalang kay Cristo.
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Study and meditate on God's Word.

 12 Keys to effective prayer for believers in Jesus Christ
#2 Constantly study & meditate on God's Word

God's will is revealed in God's Word. You can plainly read a great deal about God's plans, desires, and will in the Holy Bible. What you read can change your life for good. The Holy Bible isn't something that you should just read once in your life, but something that you need to read, re-read, meditate on, speak out, listen to, and study as long as you live.

The truths in the Bible become more clear as you read them again, and they work their way into your spirit, where they give life and hope, and where they build faith. When you stay in the Word of God, you will know what is God's will and what is not in most situations.

"If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you." -- John 15:7 (WEB)

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. -- Joshua 1:8 (NIV)

I will meditate on your precepts,
    And consider your ways.
I will delight myself in your statutes.
    I will not forget your word. -- Psalm 119:15-16

To meditate on God's word, you think about it over and over, filling your mind and even your mouth with it.

But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! -- John 15:7 (NLT)

12 Mga susi sa mabisang panalangin para sa mga mananampalataya kay Jesu-Kristo

#2 Patuloy na pag-aralan at pagnilayan ang Salita ng Diyos

Ang kalooban ng Diyos ay ipinahayag sa Salita ng Diyos. Malinaw mong mababasa ang marami tungkol sa mga plano, hangarin, at kalooban ng Diyos sa Banal na Bibliya. Ang mababasa mo ay maaaring makapagpabago ng iyong buhay para sa kabutihan. Ang Banal na Bibliya ay hindi isang bagay na dapat mong basahin nang isang beses sa iyong buhay, ngunit isang bagay na kailangan mong basahin, basahin muli, pagnilayan, magsalita, pakinggan, at pag-aralan habang ikaw ay nabubuhay.

Ang mga katotohanan sa Bibliya ay nagiging mas malinaw kapag binabasa mo itong muli, at ang mga ito ay gumagawa ng paraan sa iyong espiritu, kung saan sila ay nagbibigay ng buhay at pag-asa, at kung saan sila nagtatatag ng pananampalataya. Kapag nanatili ka sa Salita ng Diyos, malalaman mo kung ano ang kalooban ng Diyos at kung ano ang hindi sa karamihan ng mga sitwasyon.

"Kung kayo ay nananatili sa akin, at ang aking mga salita ay nananatili sa inyo, hingin ninyo ang anumang naisin ninyo, at ito ay gagawin para sa inyo." -- Juan 15:7 (WEB)

Huwag mong hayaang mawala sa iyong bibig ang Aklat na ito ng Kautusan; pagnilayan mo ito araw at gabi, upang maingat mong gawin ang lahat ng nakasulat dito. Kung gayon ikaw ay magiging masagana at matagumpay. -- Josue 1:8 (TAB)

Pagbubulay-bulayin ko ang iyong mga tuntunin,
     At isaalang-alang ang iyong mga paraan.
Ako ay magagalak sa iyong mga palatuntunan.
     Hindi ko malilimutan ang iyong salita. -- Awit 119:15-16

Upang magnilay-nilay sa salita ng Diyos, paulit-ulit mong iniisip ito, pinupuno ang iyong isip at maging ang iyong bibig nito.

Ngunit kung mananatili kang sumapi sa akin at ang aking mga salita ay nananatili sa iyo, maaari kang humingi ng anumang kahilingan na gusto mo, at ito ay ipagkakaloob! -- Juan 15:7 (NLT)

Stay in the righteousness of Jesus Christ

12 Keys to effective prayer for believers in Jesus Christ
#1 Start from a position of righteousness before God.

Salvation that comes from trusting Christ-- which is the message we preach-- is already within easy reach. In fact, the Scriptures say, "The message is close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart."

For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, "Anyone who believes in him will not be disappointed. " -- Romans 10:8-11 (NLT)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. -- 1 John 1:9 (WEB)

Brothers, I don't regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do. Forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. -- Philippians 3:13-14 (WEB)

You were made alive when you were dead in transgressions and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience; among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them. -- Ephesians 2:1-10 (WEB)

Beloved, if our hearts don't condemn us, we have boldness toward God; and whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight.

This is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as he commanded. He who keeps his commandments remains in him, and he in him.

By this we know that he remains in us, by the Spirit which he gave us. -- 1 John 3:21-24 (WEB)

You husbands, in like manner, live with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor to the woman, as to the weaker vessel, as being also joint heirs of the grace of life; that your prayers may not be hindered. -- 1 Peter 3:7 (WEB)

Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. -- 2 Timothy 2:22 (WEB)

12 Mga susi sa mabisang panalangin para sa mga mananampalataya kay Jesu-Kristo

#1 Magsimula sa isang posisyon ng katuwiran sa harap ng Diyos.

Ang kaligtasan na nagmumula sa pagtitiwala kay Kristo-- na siyang mensaheng ipinangangaral natin-- ay madali nang maabot. Sa katunayan, sinasabi ng Kasulatan, "Ang mensahe ay malapit na; ito ay nasa iyong mga labi at sa iyong puso."

Sapagka't kung ipahahayag mo ng iyong bibig na si Jesus ay Panginoon at mananampalataya ka sa iyong puso na binuhay Siya ng Dios mula sa mga patay, maliligtas ka. Sapagkat ito ay sa pamamagitan ng paniniwala sa iyong puso na ikaw ay ginawang matuwid sa Diyos, at ito ay sa pamamagitan ng pagtatapat ng iyong bibig na ikaw ay naligtas. Gaya ng sinasabi sa atin ng Kasulatan, "Ang sinumang naniniwala sa kanya ay hindi mabibigo." -- Roma 10:8-11 (NLT)

Kung ipinahahayag natin ang ating mga kasalanan, siya ay tapat at matuwid na patawarin tayo sa ating mga kasalanan, at lilinisin tayo sa lahat ng kalikuan. -- 1 Juan 1:9 (WEB)

Mga kapatid, hindi ko itinuturing ang aking sarili na nakahawak pa, ngunit isang bagay ang ginagawa ko. Na nililimot ang mga bagay na nasa likuran, at nag-uunat sa mga bagay na nasa unahan, ay nagpapatuloy ako sa layunin sa gantimpala ng mataas na pagtawag ng Dios kay Cristo Jesus. -- Filipos 3:13-14 (WEB)

Kayo'y binuhay nang kayo'y mga patay sa mga pagsalangsang at sa mga kasalanan, na kung saan kayo'y lumakad noon ayon sa lakad ng sanglibutang ito, ayon sa prinsipe ng mga kapangyarihan sa himpapawid, ang espiritu na ngayon ay gumagawa sa mga anak ng pagsuway; na sa kanila rin naman tayong lahat nang minsan ay nangabuhay sa pita ng ating laman, na ginagawa ang mga nasa ng laman at ng pagiisip, at sa likas na katangian ay mga anak ng galit, gaya ng iba.

Datapuwa't ang Dios, na mayaman sa awa, dahil sa kaniyang dakilang pagibig na kaniyang inibig sa atin, kahit na tayo'y mga patay sa pamamagitan ng ating mga pagsalangsang, ay binuhay tayo kasama ni Cristo (sa biyaya kayo'y naligtas), at ibinangon tayo na kasama niya, at pinaupo niya tayong kasama niya sa mga makalangit na dako kay Cristo Jesus, upang sa mga darating na panahon ay maipakita niya ang totoong kayamanan ng kaniyang biyaya sa kagandahang-loob sa atin kay Cristo Jesus.

Sapagka't sa biyaya kayo'y naligtas sa pamamagitan ng pananampalataya, at ito'y hindi sa inyong sarili; ito ay kaloob ng Diyos, hindi ng mga gawa, na walang sinumang magmapuri. Sapagka't tayo'y kaniyang gawa, na nilalang kay Cristo Jesus para sa mabubuting gawa, na inihanda ng Dios nang una pa upang ating lakaran. -- Efeso 2:1-10 (WEB)

Mga minamahal, kung hindi tayo hinahatulan ng ating mga puso, tayo ay may katapangan sa harap ng Dios; at anuman ang ating hingin, ay tinatanggap natin sa kaniya, sapagka't ating tinutupad ang kaniyang mga utos at ginagawa natin ang mga bagay na nakalulugod sa kaniyang paningin.

Ito ang kanyang utos, na tayo ay maniwala sa pangalan ng kanyang Anak, si Jesucristo, at magmahalan, gaya ng kanyang iniutos. Ang tumutupad sa kanyang mga utos ay nananatili sa kanya, at siya ay nasa kanya.

Sa pamamagitan nito nalalaman natin na siya ay nananatili sa atin, sa pamamagitan ng Espiritu na ibinigay niya sa atin. -- 1 Juan 3:21-24 (WEB)

Kayong mga asawang lalaki, sa gayon ding paraan, mamuhay kayong kasama ng inyong mga asawang babae ayon sa kaalaman, na nagbibigay ng karangalan sa babae, gaya ng sa mas mahinang sisidlan, bilang kasamang tagapagmana ng biyaya ng buhay; upang ang iyong mga panalangin ay hindi mahadlangan. -- 1 Pedro 3:7 (WEB)

Tumakas mula sa mga pagnanasa ng kabataan; ngunit itaguyod ang katuwiran, pananampalataya, pag-ibig, at kapayapaan sa mga tumatawag sa Panginoon mula sa pusong dalisay. -- 2 Timoteo 2:22 (WEB)

The Question about Fasting

Gospel Reading Mark 2:18-22
The Question about Fasting

 

18The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast. People came to [Jesus] and objected, “Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” 19Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. 20But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day. 21No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak. If he does, its fullness pulls away, the new from the old, and the tear gets worse. 22Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins are ruined. Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins.”
Joy of the Feast in Place of Fasting

Some scholars opine that if we use socio-cultural insights in reading the Bible, the passage “And the Word became flesh” (Jn 1:14) should really read “And the Word became a Jew.” This shows that when the Son of God took on our human nature, he became a man of a particular culture which became his second nature. Jesus therefore thought, dressed, ate, prayed, and acted like a Jew. He spoke Aramaic, attended the synagogue service, took a trade, and followed the customs of his people. But in a real sense, Jesus was also a “marginal Jew.” On many religious/cultural issues, he countered his culture: he rejected Mosaic purity on food, opposed the current understanding of the Sabbath, welcomed women to his group, and consorted with the outcasts of society. He ate while others fasted. In today’s Gospel, some people object that his disciples do not fast, which is really a criticism of his ways and teaching on matter of fasting.


Jesus’ ministry somehow continued John the Baptist’s. They both called for repentance to welcome the reign of God. But Jesus proclaims God’s love for his people and their salvation in him. Fasting (Hebrew ta’anit) is an act of humiliation. People humble themselves before God to move God to action in their behalf. But the reign of God already comes with Jesus and in him; there is no need of self-humiliation to persuade God to act.


This conviction about God’s pure grace and unmerited love makes Jesus compare the reign of God to a wedding banquet. He is the bridegroom and his followers are the guests at the wedding feast. In the wedding there is joy and communion, satisfaction of body and spirit. It would be an insult (to God who prepared the banquet) or an indication that they did not approve of the wedding if they refused to attend the wedding (that is, if they fasted).

Pagbasa ng Ebanghelyo Marcos 2:18-22
Ang Tanong tungkol sa Pag-aayuno
 

18 Nakaugalian ng mga alagad ni Juan at ng mga Pariseo ang pag-aayuno. Lumapit ang mga tao kay [Jesus] at tumutol, "Bakit nag-aayuno ang mga alagad ni Juan at ang mga alagad ng mga Pariseo, ngunit ang iyong mga alagad ay hindi nag-aayuno?" 19 Sinagot sila ni Jesus, “Maaari bang mag-ayuno ang mga panauhin sa kasalan habang kasama nila ang kasintahang lalaki? Hangga't kasama nila ang kasintahang lalaki, hindi sila maaaring mag-ayuno. 20 Ngunit darating ang mga araw na aalisin sa kanila ang kasintahang lalaki, at pagkatapos ay mag-aayuno sila sa araw na iyon. 21 Walang nagtatahi ng kapirasong tela na hindi pa nalalaba sa lumang balabal. Kung gagawin niya, ang kapunuan nito ay humihila, ang bago mula sa luma, at ang luha ay lumalala. 22 Gayundin, walang nagbubuhos ng bagong alak sa mga lumang sisidlang balat. Kung hindi, ang alak ay mapupuksa ang mga balat, at ang alak at ang mga balat ay masisira. Sa halip, ang bagong alak ay ibinubuhos sa bagong sisidlang balat.”
Kagalakan ng Pista sa Kapalit ng Pag-aayuno

Ang ilang mga iskolar ay nag-iisip na kung gagamit tayo ng mga sosyo-kultural na pananaw sa pagbabasa ng Bibliya, ang talatang "At ang Salita ay naging laman" (Jn 1:14) ay dapat talagang basahin ang "At ang Salita ay naging isang Hudyo." Ito ay nagpapakita na noong kinuha ng Anak ng Diyos ang ating pagiging tao, siya ay naging isang tao ng isang partikular na kultura na naging kanyang pangalawang kalikasan. Kaya naman nag-isip si Jesus, nagbihis, kumain, nanalangin, at kumilos na parang isang Hudyo. Nagsasalita siya ng Aramaic, dumalo sa paglilingkod sa sinagoga, nakipagkalakalan, at sumunod sa mga kaugalian ng kanyang mga tao. Ngunit sa totoong diwa, si Jesus ay isa ring “marginal na Hudyo.” Sa maraming isyu sa relihiyon/kultura, tinutulan niya ang kanyang kultura: tinanggihan niya ang kadalisayan ng Mosaic sa pagkain, sinalungat ang kasalukuyang pang-unawa sa Sabbath, tinatanggap ang mga kababaihan sa kanyang grupo, at nakisama sa mga itinaboy ng lipunan. Kumain siya habang nag-aayuno ang iba. Sa Ebanghelyo ngayon, ang ilang mga tao ay tumututol na ang kanyang mga alagad ay hindi nag-aayuno, na talagang isang pagpuna sa kanyang mga paraan at pagtuturo tungkol sa pag-aayuno.


Ang ministeryo ni Jesus sa paanuman ay nagpatuloy sa ministeryo ni Juan Bautista. Pareho silang nanawagan ng pagsisisi upang salubungin ang paghahari ng Diyos. Ngunit ipinahayag ni Jesus ang pag-ibig ng Diyos sa kanyang mga tao at ang kanilang kaligtasan sa kanya. Ang pag-aayuno (Hebrew ta’anit) ay isang gawa ng kahihiyan. Ang mga tao ay nagpapakumbaba sa kanilang sarili sa harap ng Diyos upang kumilos ang Diyos para sa kanila. Ngunit ang paghahari ng Diyos ay dumating na kay Jesus at sa kanya; hindi na kailangan ng pagpapahiya sa sarili para hikayatin ang Diyos na kumilos.


Ang pananalig na ito tungkol sa dalisay na biyaya ng Diyos at hindi karapat-dapat na pag-ibig ay ginawa ni Jesus na ihambing ang paghahari ng Diyos sa isang piging sa kasal. Siya ang lalaking ikakasal at ang kanyang mga tagasunod ay ang mga panauhin sa piging ng kasalan. Sa kasal ay may kagalakan at komunyon, kasiyahan ng katawan at espiritu. Ito ay isang insulto (sa Diyos na naghanda ng piging) o isang indikasyon na hindi nila sinang-ayunan ang kasal kung tumanggi silang dumalo sa kasal (iyon ay, kung sila ay nag-ayuno).

Gospel Reading Mark 2:23-28

Mark 2:23-28
The Disciples and the Sabbath
 

23As [Jesus] was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain. 24At this the Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?” 25He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry? 26How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat, and shared it with his companions?” 27Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. 28That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”
Unlawful on the Sabbath

The Hebrew sabbat is connected with the root “SBT” which means to cease or to rest. Among ancient Mediterranean peoples, there was a day different from the rest of the days because it was special to the divinities. People ceased their normal activities on this “taboo” day. But in Israel, God’s rest after creation is the theological basis for man’s rest at the end of the week (Gn 2:1-3). Another reason is historical: the Sabbath is a day of rest for the Israelites, their animals and their slaves, because the Israelites, who themselves were once slaves in Egypt, should have compassion on those forced to labor (Dt 5:12-15).


To fence in and protect the sacredness of the Sabbath rest, the rabbis enumerated 39 types of work which were prohibited on this day, the third of which was reaping. Picking the heads of grain was considered reaping, and this violation is pointed out by the Pharisees to Jesus.


While prohibitions abounded, exceptions were also admitted, like the Temple duties (Mt 12:5), the unloosing of cattle (Lk 13:15), and other actions in which life was at stake. There were even rabbis who would agree with Jesus that “the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” Here Jesus objects to the strict Pharisaic interpretation, the mere material observance of the Sabbath that admits no exception. He interprets the law in humanitarian terms, according to human needs, as God would have it. God established the seventh day as a period of joy and refreshment. Pope John Paul II interprets the sacredness of the Sabbath: “The divine rest of the seventh day does not allude to an inactive God, but emphasizes the fullness of what has been accomplished. It speaks, as it were, of God’s lingering before the ‘very good’ work (Gn 1:31) which his hand has wrought, in order to cast upon it a gaze full of joyous delight” (Dies Domini, n 11).

Pagbasa ng Ebanghelyo Marcos 2:23-28 
Ang mga Disipolo at ang Sabbath
 

23 Habang dumadaan [si Jesus] sa isang bukirin sa araw ng sabbath, ang kanyang mga alagad ay nagsimulang gumawa ng landas habang namumulot ng mga uhay. 24 Dahil dito ay sinabi sa kanya ng mga Pariseo, “Tingnan mo, bakit ginagawa nila ang ipinagbabawal sa araw ng sabbath?” 25 Sinabi niya sa kanila, “Hindi pa ba ninyo nabasa ang ginawa ni David nang siya ay nangangailangan at siya at ang kanyang mga kasamahan ay nagugutom? 26 Paanong pumasok siya sa bahay ng Diyos noong si Abiathar ay mataas na saserdote at kumain ng tinapay na handog na tanging ang mga saserdote lamang ang makakain ayon sa batas, at ibinahagi iyon sa kanyang mga kasama?” 27 At sinabi niya sa kanila, “Ang sabbath ay ginawa para sa tao, hindi ang tao para sa sabbath. 28 Kaya nga ang Anak ng Tao ay panginoon maging ng sabbath.”
Labag sa batas sa Sabbath

Ang Hebrew sabbat ay konektado sa salitang-ugat na “SBT” na nangangahulugang huminto o magpahinga. Sa mga sinaunang tao sa Mediteraneo, mayroong isang araw na naiiba sa iba pang mga araw dahil ito ay espesyal sa mga diyos. Itinigil ng mga tao ang kanilang mga normal na gawain sa araw na ito ng "bawal". Ngunit sa Israel, ang kapahingahan ng Diyos pagkatapos ng paglikha ay ang teolohikong batayan para sa kapahingahan ng tao sa katapusan ng linggo (Gn 2:1-3). Ang isa pang dahilan ay makasaysayan: ang Sabbath ay isang araw ng pahinga para sa mga Israelita, kanilang mga hayop at kanilang mga alipin, dahil ang mga Israelita, na dating mga alipin sa Ehipto, ay dapat na maawa sa mga napipilitang magtrabaho (Dt 5:12-15) .


Upang bakod at protektahan ang kabanalan ng Sabbath rest, ang mga rabbi ay nag-enumerate ng 39 na uri ng trabaho na ipinagbabawal sa araw na ito, ang pangatlo nito ay pag-aani. Ang pamimitas ng mga uhay ay itinuturing na pag-aani, at ang paglabag na ito ay itinuro ng mga Pariseo kay Jesus.


Bagama't napakarami ng mga pagbabawal, tinanggap din ang mga eksepsiyon, tulad ng mga tungkulin sa Templo (Mt 12:5), ang pag-alis ng mga baka (Lc 13:15), at iba pang mga aksyon kung saan ang buhay ay nakataya. May mga rabbi pa nga na sasang-ayon kay Jesus na “ginawa ang Sabbath para sa tao, hindi ang tao para sa Sabbath.” Dito tinutulan ni Jesus ang mahigpit na interpretasyon ng mga Pariseo, ang materyal na pangingilin lamang sa Sabbath na hindi umaamin ng eksepsiyon. Binibigyang-kahulugan niya ang batas sa makataong termino, ayon sa mga pangangailangan ng tao, gaya ng gusto ng Diyos. Itinatag ng Diyos ang ikapitong araw bilang isang panahon ng kagalakan at kaginhawahan. Si Pope John Paul II ay nagbigay-kahulugan sa kasagraduhan ng Sabbath: “Ang banal na kapahingahan ng ikapitong araw ay hindi tumutukoy sa isang di-aktibong Diyos, ngunit binibigyang-diin ang kabuuan ng mga nagawa na. Ito ay nagsasalita, na para bang, tungkol sa pagtatagal ng Diyos bago ang 'napakahusay' na gawain (Gn 1:31) na ginawa ng kanyang kamay, upang iharap dito ang isang titig na puno ng kagalakan" (Dies Domini, n 11).

Gospel Reading Mark 3:1-6

Mark 3:1-6
A Man with a Withered Hand

1[Jesus] entered the synagogue. There was a man there who had a withered hand. 2They watched him closely to see if he would cure him on the sabbath so that they might accuse him. 3He said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up here before us.” 4Then he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” But they remained silent. 5Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored. 6The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to death.
Grieved at their Hardness of Heart

The Pharisees watch Jesus closely, ready to accuse him if he cures on a Sabbath. Jesus, in turn, accuses them of “hardness of heart” (Greek porosis tes kardias). Hardness of heart implies rebellion against the Lord, an unwillingness to listen to and be led by him. Alluding to the desert incidents when the Israelites quarreled with God and put him to the test, the psalmist wishes for an obedient heart: “O, that today you would hear his voice; do not harden your hearts as at Meribah, as on the day of Massah in the desert” (Ps 95:7-8). Elsewhere, Jesus declares that Moses permitted divorce and the writing of a bill of divorce in Israel “because of the hardness of your hearts” (Mk 10:5), which alludes to the people’s incapacity to live up to the will of God regarding the union of man and woman.


Here the Pharisees harden their hearts and close their minds against Jesus. They see Jesus as totally undermining their interpretation of the Law, their piety, and their actions. For them, Jesus breaks the tradition and confronts the authority. They do not rejoice that a man is delivered from a state of distress because it is done on a Sabbath. Ironically, they, the guardians of the Sabbath, determine to do harm and to kill—to let the man with a withered hand continue to suffer and to put Jesus to death. They reject life and redemption. This is the bitter fruit of that hardness of heart which provokes in Jesus both anger and godly sorrow.

Pagbasa ng Ebanghelyo
Marcos 3:1-6
Isang Lalaking May Lantang Kamay 

1 Pumasok [si Jesus] sa sinagoga. May isang lalaki doon na tuyot ang kamay. 2 Pinagmamasdan nila siyang maigi kung pagagalingin niya siya sa araw ng sabbath upang maisumbong nila siya. 3 Sinabi niya sa lalaking tuyo ang kamay, “Umakyat ka rito sa unahan namin.” 4 At sinabi niya sa kanila, Matuwid ba ang gumawa ng mabuti sa araw ng sabbath kaysa gumawa ng masama, ang magligtas ng buhay sa halip na sirain ito? Ngunit nanatili silang tahimik. 5 Nang tumingin siya sa kanilang paligid na may galit at nagdadalamhati sa kanilang katigasan ng puso, sinabi niya sa lalaki, "Iunat mo ang iyong kamay." Iniunat niya ito at naibalik ang kanyang kamay. 6 Lumabas ang mga Pariseo at agad na nakipagsanggunian sa mga Herodiano laban sa kanya para ipapatay siya.
Nagdalamhati sa kanilang Katigasan ng Puso

Ang mga Pariseo ay mahigpit na pinagmamasdan si Jesus, na handang akusahan siya kung magpapagaling siya sa isang Sabbath. Si Jesus naman ay inaakusahan sila ng “katigasan ng puso” (Greek porosis tes kardias). Ang katigasan ng puso ay nagpapahiwatig ng paghihimagsik laban sa Panginoon, isang hindi pagpayag na makinig at pamunuan niya. Sa pagtukoy sa mga pangyayari sa disyerto nang ang mga Israelita ay nakipag-away sa Diyos at inilagay siya sa pagsubok, ang salmista ay nagnanais na magkaroon ng isang masunuring puso: “O, na sa araw na ito ay marinig mo ang kaniyang tinig; huwag ninyong patigasin ang inyong mga puso gaya sa Meriba, gaya noong araw ng Masa sa disyerto” (Aw 95:7-8). Sa ibang lugar, ipinahayag ni Jesus na pinahintulutan ni Moises ang diborsiyo at ang pagsulat ng isang kasulatan ng diborsiyo sa Israel "dahil sa katigasan ng inyong mga puso" (Mc 10:5), na tumutukoy sa kawalan ng kakayahan ng mga tao na mamuhay ayon sa kalooban ng Diyos tungkol sa pagsasama ng lalaki at babae.


Dito pinatigas ng mga Pariseo ang kanilang mga puso at isinara ang kanilang isipan laban kay Hesus. Nakikita nila na si Jesus ay lubos na pinapahina ang kanilang interpretasyon sa Kautusan, ang kanilang kabanalan, at ang kanilang mga aksyon. Para sa kanila, sinira ni Jesus ang tradisyon at hinarap ang awtoridad. Hindi sila nagagalak na ang isang tao ay nailigtas mula sa isang kalagayan ng pagkabalisa dahil ito ay ginagawa sa isang Sabbath. Kabalintunaan, sila, ang mga tagapag-alaga ng Sabbath, ay nagpasiya na gumawa ng pinsala at pumatay—na hayaan ang lalaking may tuyo na kamay na patuloy na magdusa at ipapatay si Jesus. Tinatanggihan nila ang buhay at pagtubos. Ito ang mapait na bunga ng katigasan ng puso na pumupukaw kay Hesus ng galit at kalungkutan mula sa Diyos.

Gospel Reading Mark 3:7-12

Gospel Reading Mark 3:7-12
The Mercy of Jesus

7Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples. A large number of people [followed] from Galilee and from Judea. 8Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon. 9He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him. 10He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. 11And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, “You are the Son of God.” 12He warned them sternly not to make him known.
Unclean Spirits.. Fall Down Before Him

In Sacred Scriptures, there is a close connection between the holy and the clean. Holiness is first applied to God as someone who is “wholly other,” and expresses the idea of separation, majesty, incomprehensibility. By analogy, a person or a thing is holy or “clean” since it is set apart for the service of the deity and is removed from common use. Later, the idea of cleanness/holiness is broadened to include ethical or moral purity.


Angels are spirits who act as messengers of God. Created as higher than human beings and closer to God, they are considered holy. But there are also “unclean spirits”; these are demons or spiritual powers which are opposed to God. While angels are “ministering spirits sent to serve, for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation” (Heb 2:14), the “unclean spirits” put people under their power, rendering them unclean, and causing them insanity and harm.


Here the unclean spirits address Jesus as the Son of God, not as a confession, but as an attempt to render him harmless. There was a popular belief that knowledge of the precise name or quality of a person confers mastery over him. The demons try to control Jesus and strip him of his power, but their cries of recognition are futile. Jesus is truly the Son of God, the Bearer of the Holy Spirit, and between the Holy Spirit and the unclean spirits there is a categorical antithesis that the demons must recognize. With Jesus’ divine authority, the unclean spirits are silenced. He is the “Stronger One” who ties the “strong man” (the devil) and despoils him.

 

Pagbasa ng Ebanghelyo Marcos 3:7-12
Ang Awa ni Hesus

7 Si Jesus ay umalis patungo sa dagat kasama ang kanyang mga alagad. Ang isang malaking bilang ng mga tao ay [sumusunod] mula sa Galilea at mula sa Judea. 8 Nang marinig niya ang kaniyang ginagawa, lumapit din sa kaniya ang napakaraming tao mula sa Jerusalem, mula sa Idumea, mula sa ibayo ng Jordan, at mula sa kalapit na bahagi ng Tiro at Sidon. 9 Sinabi niya sa kanyang mga alagad na maghanda ng isang bangka para sa kanya dahil sa dami ng tao, upang hindi nila siya madurog. 10 Marami na siyang pinagaling at, dahil dito, sinisikap siya ng mga may sakit upang hipuin siya. 11 At sa tuwing nakikita siya ng mga karumaldumal na espiritu ay magpapatirapa sila sa harap niya at sumisigaw, Ikaw ang Anak ng Dios. 12 Mahigpit niyang binalaan sila na huwag siyang ipakilala.
Mga Maruruming Espiritu.. Magpatirapa sa Kanya

Sa Banal na Kasulatan, may malapit na koneksyon sa pagitan ng banal at malinis. Ang kabanalan ay unang inilapat sa Diyos bilang isang tao na "ganap na iba," at nagpapahayag ng ideya ng paghihiwalay, kamahalan, hindi maunawaan. Sa pagkakatulad, ang isang tao o isang bagay ay banal o “malinis” dahil ito ay itinalaga para sa paglilingkod sa diyos at inalis sa karaniwang paggamit. Nang maglaon, ang ideya ng kalinisan/kabanalan ay pinalawak upang isama ang etikal o moral na kadalisayan.


Ang mga anghel ay mga espiritu na kumikilos bilang mga mensahero ng Diyos. Nilikha bilang mas mataas kaysa sa mga tao at mas malapit sa Diyos, sila ay itinuturing na banal. Ngunit mayroon ding “mga maruruming espiritu”; ito ay mga demonyo o espirituwal na kapangyarihan na salungat sa Diyos. Bagaman ang mga anghel ay “mga espiritung naglilingkod na isinugo upang maglingkod, alang-alang sa mga magmamana ng kaligtasan” ( Heb 2:14 ), inilalagay ng “maruruming espiritu” ang mga tao sa ilalim ng kanilang kapangyarihan, anupat nagiging marumi sila, at nagdudulot sa kanila ng pagkabaliw at pinsala.

MGA SARILING LIKHANG AWITING KRISTIYANO PAPURI VOL.1 (1979)

MGA SARILING LIKHANG AWITING KRISTIYANO PAPURI VOL.1 (1979)
01 - The Mortizes - Purihin Siya
02 - Marilou Paranos - Ikaw At Ako'y Mahal Niya
03 - Danny Secilliano - Siya
04 - God's Forever Family - Mahal Ka Ng Dios
05 - St. John Gospel Singers - Sapagkat Ang Dios Ay Pag-ibig
06 - Esther Elicanal - Pag-ibig Niyang Laan Sa'yo
07 - Jimmy Lim & The Inner Light - Ako Ngayo'y Iba
08 - Isagani Licerio - Agos
09 - Big Brat Band - Dios Ikaw Ba'y Tunay
10 - Faith Sunshine Singers - Init Ng Unang Pag-ibig
11 - Bethel Diokno - Kung Nais Mo
12 - God's Forever Family - Si Cristo Sa Aking Buhay
13 - Aileen Espinosa - Handa Ka Na Ba
14 - Robert More - Bukas Ay Haharapin Mo Siya
 

 

 

 

150 Scriptures to Praise God

150 Scriptures
to
Praise God
Daybreak Prayer

1. Exodus 15:2
The LORD is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

2. Deuteronomy 32:3
I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God!

3. Judges 5:3
Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers! I, even I, will sing to the LORD; I will praise the LORD, the God of Israel, in song.

4. 2 Samuel 22:1-3
David sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. 2 He said: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; 3 my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior—from violent men you save me.

5. 2 Samuel 22:4
I call to the LORD , who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.

6. 2 Samuel 22:47 

The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be my God, the Rock, my Savior!

7. 2 Samuel 22:50 

Therefore I will praise you, O LORD , among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name.

8. 1 Kings 8:56
“Praise be to the LORD , who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses…”

9. 1 Chronicles 16:8
Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.

10. 1 Chronicles 16:9
Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.

11. 1 Chronicles 16:34
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

12. 1 Chronicles 16:35
Cry out, “Save us, O God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, and glory in your praise.”

13. 1 Chronicles 16:36
Praise be to the LORD , the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the LORD .”

14. 1 Chronicles 23:30
They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD . They were to do the same in the evening ...

15. 1 Chronicles 29:10
David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, “Praise be to you, LORD , the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting…”

16. 1 Chronicles 29:13
Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.

17. 2 Chronicles 5:13a
The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the LORD . Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: “He is good; his love endures forever.”

18. 2 Chronicles 20:21
After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the LORD , for his love endures forever.”

19. Psalm 5:11
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

20. Psalm 7:17
I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.

21. Psalm 9:1-2
I will praise you, O LORD , with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. 2 I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

22. Psalm 9:11
Sing praises to the LORD , enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done.

23. Psalm 13:6
I will sing to the LORD , for he has been good to me.

24. Psalm 16:7
I will praise the LORD , who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.

25. Psalm 18:3
I call to the LORD , who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.

26. Psalm 18:49
Therefore I will praise you among the nations, O LORD , I will sing praises to your name.

27. Psalm 19:1
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

28. Psalm 22:22
I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you.

29. Psalm 28:6
Praise be to the LORD , for he has heard my cry for mercy.

30. Psalm 29:2
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.

31. Psalm 31:19
How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.

32. Psalm 32:11
Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!

33. Psalm 33:1
Sing joyfully to the LORD , you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.

34. Psalm 34:1
I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.

35. Psalm 35:18
I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you.

36. Psalm 35:27
May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, “The LORD be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant.”

37. Psalm 35:28
My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises, all day long.

38. Psalm 40:3
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD .

39. Psalm 42:11
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

40. Psalm 44:8
In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever. Selah

41. Psalm 47:1
Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.

 
42. Psalm 47:6
Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises.

43. Psalm 48:1
Great is the LORD , and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain.

44. Psalm 50:14
Sacrifice thank offerings to God; fulfill your vows to the Most High, …

45. Psalm 50:23
He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.

46. Psalm 51:15
O LORD , open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.

47. Psalm 52:9
I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints.

48. Psalm 54:6
I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, O LORD , for it is good.

49. Psalm 56:4
In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?

50. Psalm 56:10
In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD , whose word I praise—…

51. Psalm 56:12
I am under vows to you, O God; I will present my thank offerings to you.

52. Psalm 57:7
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.

53. Psalm 57:9
I will praise you, O LORD , among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.

54. Psalm 63:3
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.

55. Psalm 63:4
I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.

56. Psalm 63:5
My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

 
57. Psalm 66:2
Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious!

58. Psalm 66:8
Praise our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard; …

59. Psalm 67:3
May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you.

60. Psalm 68:19
Praise be to the LORD , to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Selah

61. Psalm 69:30
I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.

62. Psalm 71:8
My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.


63. Psalm 71:14
But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.

64. Psalm 74:21
Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace; may the poor and needy praise your name.

65. Psalm 79:13
Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.

66. Psalm 86:10
For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.

67. Psalm 92:1
It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High, …

68. Psalm 95:1-2
Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD ; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.

69. Psalm 96:2
Sing to the LORD , praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.

70. Psalm 97:12
Rejoice in the LORD you who are righteous, and praise his holy name.

71. Psalm 99:3
Let them praise your great and awesome name—he is holy.

72. Psalm 100:1-2
Shout for joy to the LORD , all the earth. 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.

73. Psalm 100:3
Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

74. Psalm 100:4-5
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

75. Psalm 103:1
Praise the LORD , O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

76. Psalm 103:2-3
Praise the LORD , O my soul, and forget not all his benefits— 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, …

77. Psalm 103:20
Praise the LORD , you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.

78. Psalm 103:21
Praise the LORD , all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.

79. Psalm 103:22
Praise the LORD , all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the LORD , O my soul.

80. Psalm 104:1
Praise the LORD , O my soul. O LORD , my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty.
 
81. Psalm 104:33
I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

82. Psalm 105:1
Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.

83. Psalm 105:2
Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.

84. Psalm 106:1
Praise the LORD . Give thanks to the LORD , for he is good; his love endures forever.

85. Psalm 106:2
Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD or fully declare his praise?

86. Psalm 106:12
Then they believed his promises and sang his praise.

87. Psalm 106:48
Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise the LORD.

88. Psalm 107:8
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, ...

89. Psalm 113:3
From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.

90. Psalm 116:1-2
I love the LORD , for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. 2 Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

91. Psalm 117:1
Praise the LORD , all you nations; extol him, all you peoples.

92. Psalm 117:2
For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD 

93. Psalm 118:28
You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you.

94. Psalm 119:7
I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws.

95. Psalm 119:12
Praise be to you, O LORD ; teach me your decrees.

96. Psalm 119:108
Accept, O LORD , the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws.

97. Psalm 119:175
Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me.

98. Psalm 134:1
Praise the LORD , all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD. 

99. Psalm 134:2
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD.

100. Psalm 135:1
Praise the LORD . Praise the name of the LORD; praise him, you servants of the LORD , ...

101. Psalm 135:3
Praise the LORD , for the LORD is good; sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant.

102. Psalm 138:1
I will praise you, O LORD , with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise.

103. Psalm 139:14
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

104. Psalm 145:1-2
I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. 2 Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.

105. Psalm 145:21
My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD . Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.

106. Psalm 147:1
Praise the LORD . How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!

107. Psalm 147:7
Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make music to our God on the harp.

108. Psalm 150:1-2
Praise the LORD . Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. 2 Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.

109. Psalm 150:6
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD . Praise the LORD .

110. Isaiah 25:1
O LORD , you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.

111. Jonah 2:9
“... But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the LORD .”

112. Luke 17:15-16
One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him— and he was a Samaritan

113. Luke 18:43
Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

114. Luke 19:37-38
When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: 38”Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the LORD!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

115. Luke 24:53
And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

116. Acts 2:46-47
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the LORD added to their number daily those who were being saved.

117. Acts 3:8
He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking, and jumping, and praising God.

118. Acts 16:25
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

119. Romans 15:7
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

120. Romans 15:11
And again, “Praise the LORD , all you Gentiles, and sing praises to him, all you peoples.”

121. 1 Corinthians 1:9
God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our LORD .

122. Ephesians 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

123. Ephesians 5:19-20
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the LORD , 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ.

124. Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the LORD always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

125. Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

126. Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.

127. Colossians 1:3-4
We always thank God, the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people—...

128. Colossians 2:6-7
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as LORD, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

129. Colossians 3:15
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace And be thankful.

130. Colossians 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

131. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

132. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

133. 2 Thessalonians 1:11
With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.

134. 2 Thessalonians 3:3
But the LORD is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

135. 2 Thessalonians 3:5
May the LORD direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

136. 1 Timothy 1:17
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

137. 1 Timothy 4:4-5
For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

138. Hebrews 13:15
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.

139. James 5:13
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.

140. 1 Peter 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ...

141. 1 Peter 1:7
These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

142. 1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

143. 1 Peter 4:11
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

144. 1 Peter 4:16
However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

145. Jude 1:24-25
To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our LORD , before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

146. Revelation 5:12
In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

147. Revelation 5:13
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”

148. Revelation 7:12
... “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”

149. Revelation 19:1
After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, ...”

150. Revelation 19:5
Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!”

Ang Biyaya ng Diyos

 

Mga Gintong Aral ni Yahweh El Shaddai

Ang Biyaya ng Diyos Isang umaga, nilapitan ng pari ang isang miyembro ng kanilang parokya at wika niya, "Sister, ako'y pumunta sa inyong bahay noong isang araw, mag-iika-walo ng umaga. Dala ko ang salaping kailangan mo na pambayad sa upa ng inyong tinitirhan. Matagal akong kumakatok sa pintuan ng inyong bahay subalit walang nagbukas niyon, kaya ako'y umalis na lamang. Sa daan, may nakasalubong ako na isang taong nangangailangan din ng pera kaya ibinigay ko iyon sa kanya." Wika ng babae, "Father, diyata't kayo pala ang kumatok sa aming pintuan na hindi ko pinagbuksan! Ang akala ko po'y may-ari iyon ng apartment na maniningil na naman ng upa." Wika ng pari, "Sayang, sister, para sa iyo pa naman ang aking dalang Biyaya!" Ano ang ibig sabihin nito sa ating buhay?  Katulad ng pari, ang ating Buhay at Makapangyarihang Diyos ay mayroon ding iniaalay sa atin sa araw-araw - ang Biyaya ng Kaligtasan! Ayon sa Juan 3:16, "Gayon na lamang ang pag-ibig ng Diyos sa sanlibutan, kaya ibinigay Niya ang Kanyang Bugtong na Anak, upang ang sumampalataya sa Kanya ay hindi mapahamak, kundi magkaroon ng Buhay na Walang Hanggan." Maliban dito, nasasaad din sa Filipos 4:19, "At buhat sa kayamanan Niyang hindi mauubos, ibibigay Niya ang lahat ng Inyong kailangan sa pamamagitan ni Cristo Jesus." Kaloob din ng ating Panginoong Jesu-Cristo ang katugunan sa lahat ng ating pangangailangan - kalusugan, kapayapaan, kagalakan, kasaganaan, at kaligtasan. Kung tayo ngayon ay dumaraan sa mahigpit na pagsubok at nangangailangan ng tulong, o dili kaya tayo'y nararatay sa banig ng karamdaman at nawawalan na ng pag-asa sa buhay, maaring ang mga pangyayaring ito'y nagpapahiwatig na kumakatok na ang Panginoon sa ating mga puso. Subalit, kadalasan, katulad ng sister na hindi nagbukas ng pintuan ng kanyang bahay, hindi natin binubuksan ang pintuan ng ating puso upang anyayahan ang ating Panginoon na manirahan dito, sa pag-aakalang tayo ay sisingilin Niya sa ating pagkakautang at pagkakasala. Siya'y laging nakahandang tumulong sa sinumang magtitiwala sa Kanya. Wala tayong gagawin kundi buksan natin ang pintuan ng ating puso, patuluyin natin Siya, at tanggapin ang dala Niyang handog na hindi mabibili ng ginto at pilak - isang buhay na ganap at kasiya-siya at ang Buhay na Walang Hanggan. Magpakumbaba lamang tayo sa Kanyang harapan. Aminin natin, pagsisihang lubos, at ihingi ng kapatawaran ang ating mga kasalanan, kayabangan, at pagiging makasarili. Patawarin din natin ang mga taong nagkasala sa atin at limutin ang mga bagay na kanilang ginawa na nagbigay sa atin ng sama ng loob. Kapag ito'y ating nagawa, tiyak na tayo'y Kanyang patatawarin , at tutugunin Niya ang ating mga panalangin! Sa sandaling ito, magkaisa tayo sa panalangin at angkinin natin ang Kanyang pangako na nasusulat sa Mateo 18:19-20, "…kung ang dalawa sa inyo dito sa lupa ay magkaisa sa paghingi ng anumang bagay sa inyong panalangin, ipagkakaloob ito sa inyo ng Aking Amang nasa langit. Sapagkat saanman may dalawa o tatlong nagkakatipon dahil sa Akin, naroon Akong kasama nila." Itaas ninyo ngayon ang inyong kaliwang kamay at ipatong ang inyong kanang kamay sa tapat ng inyong puso. Sumunod kayo sa panalanging ito na para bang nagmumula sa inyong mga puso: Dakilang Diyos, Amang Banal, Yahweh El Shaddai, sa Pangalan ng Inyong Bugtong na Anak na aming Panginoong Cristo Jesus, ako po'y nagpapakumbaba sa Inyong Banal na harapan. Inaamin ko pong ako'y nagkasala sa isip, sa salita, at sa gawa. Patawarin po Ninyo ako. Nagsisisi na po ako nang lubos sa aking mga nagawang kasalanan mula sa aking pagkabata hanggang sa kasalukuyan. Pinatatawad ko na po ang mga taong nabigay sa akin ng sama ng loob. Panginoong Jesu-Cristo, linisin po Ninyo ng Inyong Banal na Dugo ang lahat ng aking karumihan sa isip, puso, at kaluluwa. Binubuksan ko ngayon ang aking puso at inaanyayahan ko po Kayong manirahan dito bilang aking Panginoon at Tagapagligtas. Puspusin po Ninyo ako ng Espiritung Banal upang ako'y makasunod sa Inyong kalooban. Sa Makapangyarihang Pangalan ng Panginoong Jesu-Cristo, pinalalayas ko ngayon din ang espiritu ng kasinungalingan, kataasan ng loob, hindi pagpapatawad, at balak na paghihiganti na naghahari sa aking katauhan, pati ang lahat ng espiritung sanhi ng karamdaman sa aking buto, dugo, at laman - maging ito'y sa aking puso. Baga, mata, lalamunan, dibdib, likod, tiyan, tuhod, o paa! At inaangkin ko ngayon ang ganap na kagalingan , kalakasan at kalusugan sa mapaghimalang Pangalan ng Panginoong Jesu-Cristo. Paghariin rin po Ninyo sa aking buhay ang kapayapaan, kagalakan, kasaganaan: at pagkalooban ako ng bagong-buhay - isang buhay na ganap at kasiya-siya, at higit sa lahat, ang Buhay na Walang hanggan. Amen!   "Nakatayo Ako sa labas ng pintuan at tumutuktok. Kung diringgin ninuman ang Aking tinig at bubuksan ang pinto, Ako'y papasok sa kanyang tahanan at magkasalo kaming kakain." (Pahayag 3:20)

 

Mga Gintong Aral ni Yahweh El Shaddai

Ang Liwanag Kapag hindi pa sumisikat ang araw, madilim ang ating paligid. Wala tayong nakikita. Subalit kapag sumisilay na ang araw, unti-unting lumiliwanag ang ating kapaligiran. Nakikita ba natin ang liwanag? Hindi, maliban kung ito'y tumama sa mga tao, bahay, gusali, daan, halaman, punongkahoy, at iba pang pisikal na bagay. Samakatuwid, ang ating nakikita ay ang mga bagay na naliliwanagan, hindi ang liwanag. Ano ang ibig sabihin nito sa ating buhay? Ang ating Panginoong Jesu-Cristo, na nagsasabing "Ako ang ilaw ng sanlibutan" (Juan 8:12), ay ang Dakilang Liwanag na hindi nakikita ng mundo. Subalit maari natin Siyang makita sa buhay ng bawat taong nagsisi at tumalikod sa kanilang mga kasalanan, nagsabuhay ng Kanyang Salita, at tumanggap sa Kanya bilang Panginoon at Tagapagligtas. Ayon pa sa 2 Corinto 5:17, "Ang sinumang nakipag-isa kay Cristo ay isa nang bagong nilalang. Wala na ang dating pagkatao; siya'y bago na." Marunong na siyang magpatawad sa mga taong nagbigay sa kanya ng sama ng loob. Hindi na rin siya mareklamo, o kaya'y laging nakasimangotm sa halip ay lagi na siyang masaya at nagpupuri sa Panginoon. Malaya na siya sa kanyang mga bisyo, at palagi nang nakikinig ng Salita ng Diyos. Kung siya'y dating bakla o tomboy, ngayon at tunay na siyang lalaki o tunay na babae! Bukod dito, ang sinumang tinatawag na bagong nilalang ay nagtataglay ding ng mga bunga ng Espiritu Santo: "Ang pag-ibig, kagalakan, kapayapaan, kahinahunan, at pagpipigil sa sarili" (Galacia 5:22). Ayon pa rin sa Roma 8:5, "Sapagkat ang mga namumuhay ayon sa hilig ng laman ay nahuhumaling sa mga bagay na ukol sa laman, ngunit ang namumuhay sa patnubay ng Espiritu ay nagsisikap ukol sa mga bagay ukol sa mga bagay na espirituwal." Kapuna-puna rin siya sa mga taong nasa kanyang paligid. Maririnig mong sinasabi ng kanyang mga kapitbahay ang ganito: "Alam n'yo si Aling Maria ay nagbabayad na ng utang!" o kaya'y "Dati ang sambahayan ni Mang Pedro ay magulo at laging nagbubuntalan, ngayon sila'y masaya na at nagmamahalan pa!" Ang lahat ng ito at nagagnap sapagkat ang taong kaisa ni Cristo at kinakikitaan ng "liwanag ni Cristo," at nagiging "liwanag" naman sa kanyang kapwa. Siya at nagiging kalugod-lugod, huwaran sa kanyang pananalita, pananamit, pakikipagkapwa, pananampalataya, at sa uri ng kanyang pamumuhay. Siya ay nakapagdudulot din ng kagalakan, pagmamahalan, at pagkakaisa, hindi lamang sa kanyang tahanan at mga kapatid sa Panginoon, kundi pati na rin, sa kanyang kaaway!   "Muling nagsalita si Jesus sa mga tao. Wika Niya, 'Ako ang ilaw ng sanlibutan. Ang sumusunod sa Akin ay magkakaroon ng ilaw na nagbibigay-buhay, at di na lalakad sa kadiliman." (Juan 8:12)

 

Mga Gintong Aral ni Yahweh El Shaddai

Ang Drayber Ang drayber ang siyang nagmamaneho ng dyip, trak, bus, kotse o anumang uri ng sasakyan. Kapag siya'y nagmamaneho, nararapat lamang na siya ang masunod dahil siya ang nakakaalam ng daraanan. Minsan, ako'y inanyayahang maghayag ng Salita ng Diyos sa isang prayer meeting sa Kalookan. Mula sa amorsolo, dumaan kami ng aking drayber sa Port Area. Ngunit dahil masyadong masikip ang traffic doon, itinuro ko sa kanya ang isang daan na sa akala ko'y mas maluwag. Sumunod naman sa akin ang aking drayber. Hindi nagtagal, doon pala sa nilipatan naming daan ay halos isang oras nang hindi gumagalaw ang mga sasakyan. Sa tingin ko'y naiinip na ang aking drayber subalit tahimik lamang siya. Hindi ko naman siya masisi dahil ako ang nagturo sa kanya ng daan iyon. Ano ang ibig sabihin nito sa ating buhay? Sa ating pang-araw-araw na pamumuhay dito sa mundo, ang Panginoong Jesu-Cristo ang dapat manguna bilang Drayber ng ating buhay. Alam Niya ang ating daraananm ang ating kailangan at ang makabubuti sa atim. Ngunit kapag patuloy tayong aasa sa sarili nating karunungan at makikialam sa kalooban ng Maykapal ay patuloy tayong makararanas ng kaguluhan, kahirapan at kapighatian sa ating buhay. Subalit sa sandaling ipagkatiwala natin sa kamay ng Diyos, hindi lamang ang ating suliranin kundi ang lahat sa ating buhay, magagawa niyang tugunin ang ating mga pangangailangan at pagalingin ang ating mga karamdaman. Umasa at manalig tayo sa Diyos, at makikita natin ang Kanyang himala. Siya ay laging nakahandang magbigay ng biyaya ay magbago ng ating buhay. Kaya nararapat na huwag na tayong mangangatwiran at magmamarunong. Isuko na natin sa Kanya ang lahat sa ating buhay; tayo'y manalig, manampalataya at tumanggap kay Jesu-Cristo bilang ating Panginoon at Tagapagligtas. Siya na ang lagi nating sundin sapagkat auon sa nasusulat, "Kay Yahweh ka magtiwala, buong puso at lubusan, at huwag kang mananahan sa sariling karunungan. Siya at sangguniin sa lahat mong mga balak, at Kanya kang itutumpak sa lahat ng iyong lakad" (Kawikaan 3:5-6)   "Ipagkatiwala ninyo sa Kanya ang inyong mga kabalisahan sa buhay sapagkat Siya ang kumukupkop sa inyo." (1Pedro 5:7)