This World Is Not Our Home

by Max Bringula

The events unfolding in our times - the protests and demonstrations going on in various places in the MidEast, the imminent oil price hike in the world market, the earthquake that struck Japan, and the fearful Tsunamis - these and many more would surely put one's heart and mind in anxiety and fear.

Indeed, in this world we would have troubles. Calamities would come, sickness and loss of loved ones, difficult moments and trying times, are but some of the things we would faced and experienced in this world.

But forget not, this world is not our home. We're simply passing through. We're journeying each day, every hour of our lives to reach the place where our Redeemer is waiting.

Hear what our Lord is saying, "Let not your hearts be troubled. In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. But I'm going there to prepare a place for you. Then I will come again to take you so that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:1-3)

What a comforting promise!

Therefore, take heart, His faithful ones. Look up, our Deliverer is coming. Be steadfast and remain in the Lord.

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." - Romans 8:18

This world is not our home. We're simply passing through.

Peace, Be Still

by Max Bringula

The impending Tsunami that might hit most of the countries and islands lying at Eastern part of the Pacific hours from now would be unavoidable, for it is a natural result when an earthquake of a magnitude similar to the one that struck the north eastern part of Japan, an 8.9 in a Richter scale.

Nothing and no one can stop it, except the One that stills the water. The One that says "Be still" and the waters calm down.

This is a familiar scene recorded in Mark 4:37-39, when the Lord and His disciples were met by a raging storm while sailing in the middle of the sea at night.

“And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship.” (Mark 4:37)

The disciples were stricken with fear and terrified and called out unto the Lord. He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, “Peace, be still”. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (Mark 4:39)

What a comforting truth to know that when confonted by fuming waves and fiery storms in life, when difficult moments and trying times beset us, we can call upon the Lord, and He will calm the storm.

A promise we can claim particularly now so that our country could be spared from the raging waves that could engulfed our land. Together, let us put our hands on the hand of the One that stills the water. Let us put our hands on the hand that calm the sea.

To Him that says “Peace, be still”.

Don't Give Up, But Grow

by Max Bringula

Many blessings come upon those who persevere and never give up. One who will endure the pains and sufferings that may come his way. That no matter what the situation and condition is he will never say “never again”.

May kasabihan nga tayo na ang taong agad sumusuko ay di nagwawagi, at ang nagwawagi ay di agad sumusuko. This is proven many times in our life. In fact, kung nasaan man tayo ngayon, kung ano man ang kinalalagyan natin sa buhay, ito’y bunga ng ating pagpapagal o di pagpapagal.

Kung tayo’y walang alam sabihin kungdi “ayaw ko na, suko na ko” kahit kaunting hirap pa lamang, papaano tayo uunlad at giginhawa? Kaya nga’t tingnan nyo kung sino ang umaasenso, di ba’t yaong bata pa lang ay nasanay na sa hirap?

Gayundin sa buhay espirituwal. Hindi dapat nanatiling bata sa pananampalataya. We must grow up. And growing up comes with pains. Pains that we need to endure to grow.

Ang isang halaman upang maging hitik sa bunga ay tinatapyasan, gayundin sa atin. Kailangan nating maranasan ang hirap, ang magtiis, upang tayo’y lumago at maging matatag sa ating pananampalataya.

Don’t give up, but grow.

“Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” – 1 Corinthians 15:58