ARE YOU STUCK?

Failures or problems have a way of making us stop & say, "I can't do it!"

Then that thought fills your mind forever.

It plays on repeat over & over like a favorite song in your playlist.

It's called rumination.

It's when you think about the same thought which also tend to be sad or dark.

Then you get stuck.

You don't want to do anything.

You want to quit. You want to stay sad.

Don't get stuck with the sadness.

Get stuck with the Saviour.

Colossians 2:6-7 says, "So, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, rooted in him & built upon him and established in the faith as you were taught"

That's the way to go. Get stuck with Jesus.

Stay with Him because He says that "Whoever remains in me & I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing" (John 15:5)

Life will always be difficult.

Problems will continue. Sad moments will come.

But as Romans 8:28 says, "We know that all things work for good for those who love God"

Be glued to God. Stay with Him. Follow Him all the way.

For those who are down & suffering now, I pray that you may find hope & encouragement from the LIGHT that Jesus gives. God bless you! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

#shareaboutJesus

WHAT YOU GIVE, YOU GET BACK

A familiar phrase goes, "ANG BASURA MO BABALIK SA IYO”.

Check out the trash that we see in our shores after a typhoon if you want proof. 

This is due to the marine litter that we accidentally or intentionally threw away.

We hope that the ocean would keep them.

But you can't hide the truth & there is truth in the saying, "We reap what we sow".

Kung anong itanim mo, yan din ang bunga.

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 9:6, "The point is this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, & he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully".

What do you want to have more of in your life?

Give it generously then be ready to receive it abundantly.

You cannot promote unity yet declare hate.

You cannot spend excessively & expect to have resources when you retire.

You cannot declare peace but use killing as a means to attain it.

You cannot ask God, "Where are You?" yet answer "No" when asked, "Do you pray?"

You can't be TRULY HAPPY if you can't make others happy.

You reap what you sow. That's the rule of life.

If you want to reap bountifully then sow bountifully too.

Check your FB wall now.
Your current posts may help predict what to expect in your life.

Have a powerfully blessed week! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com 

#shareaboutJesus

"LIFE GOES ON"

Grieving can move you to isolation.

That's what Jesus did when He heard about the death of His cousin John the Baptist.

"When Jesus heard of it, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself" - Matthew 14:13

Then Jesus teaches us an important lesson.

That GRIEVING is not the final destination.

GRIEVING is good but it should not end there.

GIVING follows our time of GRIEVING.

"When he disembarked & saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, & he cured their sick" - Matthew 14:14

He felt pity & gives a blessing to the vast crowd. Jesus didn't only cure the sick, He fed them too. At least 5,000 were fed that day.

My friend, give yourself time to GRIEVE.

There's nothing wrong with that.

Seek God during that time of grieving.

Ask Him questions. Ask for His guidance.

Then move on & start GIVING.

LIFE GOES ON.

That's the example of Jesus to all of us as we start this week.

May you have a powerful & blessed week! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

#shareaboutJesus

WALANG MILAGRO PARA SA TAONG ANG ISIP AY SARADO

That's the plain truth that the Gospel today shares to us.

Then some of the scribes & Pharisees said to him, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” - Matthew 12:38

What will it take for you to believe?

Water turned into wine.

The storm calmed down.

Five loaves & two fish feeds 5,000.

The blind see.

The lame walk.

Various sickness healed.

Those possessed by the evil spirits are freed.

The dead lives again.

He walks on water.

He Himself rises from the dead.

But the greatest miracle is that God loves you whatever you do.

You may think you're worthless. Undeserving.

Kahit sarado ang puso at isip mo, ang katotohanan ay ito - WALA KANG MAGAGAWA PARA TUMIGIL ANG DIYOS SA PAGMAMAHAL NIYA SA IYO.

So, what will it take for you to believe?

Have a blessed week - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

#shareaboutJesus

"TRENDING”

That's what happened in today's Gospel.

"And the report of this went through all that district" - Matthew 9:26

What report became viral?

That Jesus visited the daughter of an official who was believed to be dead. Then Jesus "took her by the hand, & the girl arose." (Matthew 9:25)

Wow, awesome news indeed! I can imagine that news trending in today’s time. It would easily get a thousand LIKES. Plus several re-posts too.

This is the type of news that you should be spreading, right?

* Less fake news, more FAITH news.

* Less words of desperation, more words of HOPE.

* Less hatred, more LOVE.

* Less division, more cooperation.

But the best news that you can spread is God’s assuring PRESENCE.

That God will always be there for you.

God promises His PRESENCE in today’s 1st reading where He says, “Behold, I am with you & will keep you wherever you go”. Jesus shows this in the Gospel. When the official reported that his daughter was dead, “Jesus rose & followed him” (Matthew 9:19). No questions asked. He did not check if the official was a Jew or a believer. He just rose & followed him.

The Psalm 91:4 also proclaims this when it says that God “will cover you with his pinions, & under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield & buckler.”

You are always safe under the “wings” of God. If you’re afraid of life’s troubles then go to God. Trust God. Because “he who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the LORD, "My refuge & my fortress; my God, in whom I trust." ( 91:1-2 )

That’s the best news that’s worth spreading.

That GOD IS WITH YOU ALWAYS. All the time, anytime.

It’s you who chooses to move away from Him.

So always aim to be with God. Be safe under His wings.

My FB friend, what type of news are your spreading?

Have a blessed week! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

#shareaboutJesus

"GINUSTO MO YAN E"

Did you ever get a prayer answered only to end up blaming yourself for asking for it?

Check out what happened to the evil spirits in today's Gospel.

They asked Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine.” (Matthew 28:31)

So Jesus grants their request. He commanded them to "Go". Then "they came out & entered the swine, & the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea where they drowned". (Matthew 28:32)

Will God do the same to you? Will He grant your prayers only to punish you?

Nope.

First, there's a very big difference between you & the evil spirits. You were wonderfully made by God (Psalm 139:14) in His own image (Genesis 1:26). God loves you unconditionally. God wants to be with you all the time. On the other hand, God won't tolerate the presence of evil. That's why He drove out the evil spirits that possessed the two men of Gadarenes. I believe that Jesus would still send the spirits away even if they didn't asked for it. You're special! The evil spirits aren't.

Secondly, God is your Father who knows what's best for you. God won't do anything to harm you. God won't answer your prayers to punish us. If God seems to ignore your prayers it is because you're asking for things. James 4:3 says, "You ask but do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions."

But God will always respect your decision. That's love!

God will honor what you want.

And our decision are not always right.

So we suffer the consequences of your actions.

My friend, are you praying for something?

Choose to make the right choice every time.

Don't pray for your wants. "Gusto ko yan, gusto ko iyon."

Pray for what God wants for you.

Ginusto ng Diyos na mamatay sa krus dahil ang gusto Niya ay kasama ka niya.

Have a blessed day! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

#shareaboutJesus

“STAY AWAY FROM ME”

“Don’t touch me!”

“Keep your distance.”

“Stay at least 6 feet away. But if it's windy make that 150 feet.”

This post is not about Covid-19 protocols. Those words are what someone would say to a leper during the time of Jesus.

In today's Gospel, a leper defied all the rules.

Maybe he was desperate. Maybe he was tired of being isolated from society.

He knew that he would violate the law if he approach Jesus. The crowd might even beat him up to death.

Also, if Jesus touch him then Jesus too would defy the law. The people at that time, believed that if you came into contact with a leper you would be 'unclean'.

Will the crowd allow him to approach Jesus? Will Jesus touch him?

The odds were totally against him.

Yet, he did what he had to do. Then he was healed!

"..a leper came to him & knelt before him, saying, 'Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.'" - Matthew 8:2

He said one line & he was healed! “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean."

Nine simple words & he experienced a miracle.

But if you look closer, his words were more than a mere request.

“Lord, if you will, you can make me clean."

You can divide that line into 3 powerful phrases.

• “Lord” - A lot of those in the crowd were still in doubt who Jesus was. Some of them wanted more proof. Several didn’t believe that this carpenter’s son was God. That was not the case for the leper. For him, Jesus was his Lord. The leper had no problem declaring that in front of the crowd. He knew who Jesus was.
• “if you will” - The leper wanted to be healed but he was willing to accept God’s will. “If you will” was the leper's way of saying “I need healing but you’re my God & I will accept what you want for me”. He was desperate but he knew that God’s will is always superior than his own desires.
• “you can make me clean" - Faith. That’s what the leper had. Leprosy was considered a lifetime curse during those times. It was an incurable disease. But the leper believed that Jesus can heal him. This was easy peasy for Jesus. He knew that nothing was impossible with God. That's faith!

The words of the leper were more than just words. Because of this, “immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” (Matthew 8:3)

Is there something unclean in your life now?

Is it making your feel worse each day? Is it keeping you away from others?

That's SIN.

“STAY AWAY FROM ME!" That's what you should say to sin.

Because sin makes you feel isolated. Sin makes you feel worse.

Sin makes you feel like you're garbage that has to be kept away from others.

Sin kills you slowly each passing day.

Get rid of sin in your life.

Go to Jesus & be healed! Be cleansed by the Holy Spirit.

“STAY AWAY FROM ME, sin!"

Declare to others who Jesus is for you. Accept God’s will. Have faith in Him.

Have a blessed & awesome weekend! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com 

#shareaboutJesus

WILL YOU GIVE A STRANGER YOUR ATM CARD & PIN?

Or maybe the login credentials of your online banking?

Well, that depends. It that stranger has a gun pointed to my head then I'd give it

But what if the stranger asked you nicely? No pressure. No threat. No blackmail. Will you give it?

In today's Gospel, Jesus says that "Your Father knows what you need before you ask him." (Matthew 6:8)

If God knows it already why do I need to say it to Him? It's all about ACCESS.

It's like the PIN for your ATM. It's like your login ID & password.

One who has your PIN or credentials has ACCESS to your money.

That's what you're giving God when you tell Him your concerns. You're giving Him ACCESS.

But here's the big difference. The stranger who has ACCESS to your cash may do something bad about it. That stranger may take away all your money. You might end up with nothing.

God having ACCESS to your life does not take away anything.

You don't lose anything when you give it to God.

Because nothing given to God is ever wasted.

Anything given to God flourishes.

In John 6:9, a boy gave Jesus “five barley loaves & two fish". That's all the young boy had.

But after handing them over to our Lord, Jesus multiplies them.

They fed 5,000 men & had more than enough. They "filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves".

A similar story happened in the Old Testament when the prophet Elijah asked a widow for a cup of water.

The widow was on her way to get it when Elijah had a follow up request. “Please bring along a crust of bread.” (1 Kings 17:11)

The widow & her son had almost nothing. She declared this to the prophet by saying, “As the LORD, your God, lives, I have nothing baked; there is only a handful of flour in my jar & a little oil in my jug. Just now I was collecting a few sticks, to go in and prepare something for myself and my son; when we have eaten it, we shall die.” (1 Kings 17:11)

Yet, she gave in to Elijah's request.

"She left & did as Elijah had said. She had enough to eat for a long time—he & she and her household. The jar of flour did not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, according to the word of the LORD spoken through Elijah." (1 Kings 17:15-16)

She followed & got her reward. Not only for her but for her whole household.

That's what happens when you surrender it to God.

You're giving God ACCESS to make something awesome in your life.

God does not take anything away. He receives what you can give & multiplies it so that it blesses not only you but more people.

That's happens when you tell Him everything in prayer even if He "knows what you need before you ask." (Matthew 6:8)

So talk to God about it. Tell Him about it.

Open up your life to Him. Surrender.

Pray because your Daddy in heaven is always ready to listen.

May God bless your week! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

BE FAITHFUL

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover - Luke 2:41

Every year. Consistent. Regular. Joseph & Mary went every year.

That’s what you call FAITHFUL. They were FAITHFUL because God was a faithful god. They celebrated Passover to remember & appreciate how God was faithful to keep His promise. God saved them from 400 years of slavery leading them to the promised land. That’s FREEDOM!

Jesus died to free you also from being a slave to sin. Appreciate that. Love God. Follow Him. Be FAITHFUL!

USAPANG BUWIS AT BUHAY

Nagsimula sa BUWIS ang usapan.

They asked Jesus in today's Gospel, "Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or should we not pay?” (Mark 22:14). That question is interesting even in our present time.

Jesus answers their question with another question. “Whose image & inscription is this?” (Mark 22:16)

Don't you love teachers who use this method? They make the students think by posing thought provoking questions. They keep them actively engage instead of simply spoon-feeding them the answers.

The question of Jesus elevates the discussion beyond taxes.

Nag-iba na ang paksa. Hindi na ito usapang BUWIS lang.

The topic shifts to image & ownership. Jesus probably asked that question to point back to Genesis 1:26 where God said, "Let us make human beings in our image, after our likeness".

The point of our Lord is simple. Coins bear the image of the emperor so give to the emperor what's due him. You bear the image of God so give to God your life.

Ang usapang BUWIS naging usapang BUHAY.

Ang BUWIS ibigay sa gobyerno.

Ang BUHAY ibagay sa Diyos. Surrender your life to God.

Here's the difference. The government collects taxes to address your basic needs. On the other hand, God does not need anything from you. Yet, when you surrender your life to Him you will discover that everything that you need is in God.

Ask yourself this question, when will you give up your life to Jesus?

May God bless your week! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

#shareaboutJesus

"KERI LANG"

That's how my friend & Open Door director Ampi replies to me whenever I asked her about the coming episode.

It means "it's ok" , "kaya naman" or "It's difficult but I can manage".

Keri lang. That's a good mantra in life. Because "life is difficult." That's how M. Scott Peck starts his book, "The Road Less Traveled".

All of us have concerns. You either have an ongoing problem, just came out of a concern or will be entering into one.

Jesus Himself says in today's Gospel, "In the world you have trouble". (John 16:33)

Lahat tayo may pinagdadaanan. No exemptions.

Ang important lang ay ipaalala mo sa sarili mo na pinagdadaanan lang yan. Kaya daanan mo lang. Huwag ka na tumambay dyan

Life is difficult. But carry on. Move on. Because even if this world is filled with trouble Jesus says, "I have conquered the world." (John 16:33) If you won't believe Jesus who else will you believe?

But you also have to believe Him when He says these words.

God will always be with you. (Isaiah 41:10)

God will defend you. (Psalm 91:11)

God is your peace. (Numbers 6:26)

God loves you no matter what. (Romans 5:8)

Your victory is assured because of Jesus!

So keri lang. Christ has conquered the world for you.

God bless your week! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

#shareaboutJesus

CAN YOU TWIST THE ARM OF GOD?

Can you change God's mind so that He grants all your requests?

Isn't that Mark 11:24 says, "Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it & it shall be yours." Matthew 7:7 confirms this with, "Ask & it will be given to you." Throw in John 11:22 also which says, "even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.”

A verse in today's Gospel also says that we need to "ask for whatever you want & it will be done for you" (John 15:7)

There you go. That's re-assuring right? Specially during this difficult time when our prayers need an extra boost. If you believe then you will receive. So, does this confirm that you can twist God's arm? Does it mean that whatever you believe in will come to pass?

Once again we have to look closely at what the Word of God says.

The full line of John 15:7 says, "If you remain in me & my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want & it will be done for you"

It clearly states that there are other requirements.

1. "If you remain in me" - you need to remain connected to God. That means your will conforms to His will. That you desire what God desires. That your heart becomes like the heart of God.

2. "and my words remain in you" - The words of Jesus should remain in you. This means that God becomes your foundation so that you can weather any storm. That you hear His words & follow all of them.

3. "ask for whatever you want & it will be done for you" - Jesus says that “it will be done for you”. He does not say that “you will do it”. This means that it's still the call of God not yours. It means that your faith has to be in God not in the words you say when you pray.

You can't twist God’s arm & make Him change His mind to do what you ask for. You just need to put your trust in Him. Always remember that God is our Father who loves us & He always knows what's best for us.

Don't twist His arm but instead hold on to His arm tightly. God will take care of you always. Believe. - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

#shareaboutJesus

THE TRUE PATH TO GREATNESS

We grew up in a world where GREATNESS is a goal. We want to be GREAT. We want to exceed the accomplishments of others.

That’s why a new candidate points out the failures of the administration to get more votes. That’s why a new player aims to break the records of the current player superstar.

But in today’s Gospel (John 13:16-20), Jesus redefines GREATNESS by saying, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him” (John 13:16)

Jesus is challenging us to be “slaves” to other. He is telling us to CHOOSE TO SERVE anybody. That's what TRUE GREATNESS is because that's what Jesus does. "For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve & to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

It’s always tempting to pick the people you want to help or serve. It's more comfortable to help the people you like. However, if you want to follow Jesus, you also need to reach out to every individual who needs care, attention, patience & support. Serve anybody, everybody.

CHOOSE TO SERVE ALWAYS not CHOOSE who to serve.

But here's a warning. When you choose to follow Jesus you may also receive what He got. You will be ignored, criticized, looked down upon or treated as a nobody by the world. Then your pride kicks in & whispers to you, “You don’t deserve this. This is not greatness!”

Stop listening to your pride. Remember what Jesus said - “no slave is greater than his master“.

If Jesus is your master & He chooses to serve others what makes you exempted from serving?

Choose to define GREATNESS as God defines it. Serve.

Because serving is a form of loving & you were made for love - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

#shareaboutJesus

HAS GOD CHOSEN ALREADY WHO TO SAVE?

Predestination is a big word that means that God has eternally chosen those who He wants to save. That you cannot do anything about it because God has already chosen who He will save.

The believers of this doctrine love to cite the verse from today's Gospel, John 10:26 "But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep."

See, it's right there. If you are not His sheep then you won't believe. If you're from His flock then you will believe & will be saved. So if God has not chosen you then you won't be saved no matter what you do. Simple logic right?

Well, that's logical if you read only that specific verse. And Bible study is all about CONTEXT.

Let's see who was Jesus talking to by reading the two verses before 10:26

So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me. - John 10:24-25

Jesus was speaking to the Jews. So if Jesus tells the Jews that "you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep" does that mean there's another flock of sheep aside from them?

Yes!

That's why Jesus says in John 10:16, "I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, & they will hear my voice, & there will be one flock, one shepherd."

The goal of Jesus is to save both types of sheep so that "there will be one flock, one shepherd." (John 10:16) Jesus came "so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life" (John 3:16). John 3:16 says "everyone who believes" & not this type of sheep only.

The first flock of sheep (John:26) were the Jews. Some of them believed but some didn't. The second flock (John 10:16) were another type of sheep that were not the Jews & it says that "they will hear my voice" too. These were the Gentiles. That includes most of us. But do all Gentiles believe Jesus? Nope. Like the Jews some of them believe & others didn't.

This simply means that believing & following Jesus is not about being a Jew or a Gentile or whatever clan, tribe, group, denomination you're with. Because believing God is all about a CHOICE THAT YOU MAKE.

Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few."

God always gives us the freedom to choose. That's what LOVE is!

If you want to be a part of Jesus' flock then CHOOSE JESUS. If you want Jesus to be your good shepherd, CHOOSE JESUS. If you want Jesus to be your defender then CHOOSE JESUS.

May we all be united in Christ because we all have the same Father who loves us.

My friend, choose Jesus always. Every time. All the time. - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

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#ChristianUNITY

DINDO

 He was one of my work mentors in my first job.

"Dindo. Just call me Dindo"

That was his opening line when the HR staff introduced him to me.

I replied with, "Yes, sir!"

"Sabing Dindo lang nga e." He gently corrected me & gave me his trademark smile.

Our travel time going to clients was always filled with laughter, anecdotes about his family, work & faith. Sabi ko nga - Di na kailangan ng radyo pag andyan si Dindo

On family, I felt that I knew his wife Cherry before I met her personally because Dindo loves to talk about her. He shared about his kids. His stories made me excited to have my own family.

On work, he gave me tips how to build relationships with clients.

On faith, we had different backgrounds.

I was Catholic. He was with a non-denominational church.

But our discussions on faith never resulted to heated arguments.

It was always a dialogue not a debate.

Maybe because the goal of our discussions was not to recruit the other person. The goal was to KNOW God more as we both serve Him in our respective churches.

He gave me a bible as birthday gift & wrote this letter on the inside cover. I still have this bible after 27 years. I still use it for personal study & to preach God's Word to others.

Thank you Dindo! Pasensya ka na 1 week late itong post ko. Maybe because I was on denial that you passed away already.

Rest in peace & pray for us as you enjoy God's kingdom. - alvinfabella@yahoo.com