God Is The Only One Who Will Always Hear and Answers Prayers

 The Philippine Catholic Church has influenced lots of Filipino Catholics in believing many mediators for they teaches that God is distant and they need a divine intercessor to intercede for them. I learned that they look up to Mary's immaculate purity as a model to emulate. They believe that the Blessed Mother is the great intercessor to Christ. Another thing is that I found out that they look up to Mary's sensitivity to needs and that was when she prayed for more wine during the wedding at Cana. They believe that Mary's intercession could never be refused of and leads them to believe in her effectiveness every time she will pray. These are what people perceived in their minds and they strongly believe in this and no wonder that their hearts are being hardened and many of them is so much devoted to Mary that they will not listen to the truth.

The problem of idolatry came that people put saints in their houses even churches believing that those saints could intercede for them. What a very sad thing to think about. They are so much blinded that they never see and realize that the saints they believe have eyes but cannot see, feet but cannot walk, ears but cannot hear and has mouth but cannot speak. What they are doing is just in vain and they never think that God is never pleased with what they are doing.

However, as a Christian who knows the truth, I have to always be on guard also because idolatry is not just worshiping saints but anything that takes the place of God in my heart. I have to always evaluate my life and strengthen my relationship with God.

Therefore, I need to take certain steps to draw me more closer to God. First, I have to develop more my prayer life and be more committed in doing it. Second, I should always make it a habit to communicate with God day by day. I have to be prepared before I begin the day. I have to listen to God through His word for everyday is a spiritual battle. I have to purposely do it. Lastly, I have to be more passionate and compassionate to those who are still lost. I have to pray for more opportunities to share the gospel especially to those who are praying to the saints or worshiping them. I should always remember that many people are lost in sin and they need to know that God is a jealous God and He wants us to worship Him alone and to be devoted to Him not to any other things.

Reformers

 The Anabaptist and the radical reformers contributed a significant impact to Christianity. They taught that baptism should come only after faith and confession. Infant baptism has no meaning at all. They believed that biblical truth should be held higher in authority than church traditions. Radical movements are not tied also to political and social commitments. This is really amazing. Their effort to stand on what they believe still contributed to what we believe.

I never knew about radicals before. But their influence was adapted by most churches nowadays. One thing I appreciated are the Anabaptist. Though I didn't know much of their other beliefs and practices, but their teaching of emphasizing Scripture as the highest authority is indeed a blessing. I know for sure that we never agree to all things that they are teaching for some of their contributions are negative and some are significantly positive ones. But I thank God since Christianity follow the right teaching and never tried to apply what they are teaching. I could see how God's mighty hand works despite all those challenges. He is really wise and He keeps on raising people who are never afraid to stand for what is right no matter what it cost. I am so grateful to God that His word has always been our light and guide as we walk in this dark world wherein many false teachings arise and if we are not really grounded by the truth of what the Scripture says, we will surely be led astray. Indeed, His word is true and it will always prevail though people would not believe it. It gives life, hope and peace to those who believe and obey what it says.

On the other hand, I learn to thank God also for Anabaptist as well as radicals for they also contributed little things to Christianity. God wants His people to love them as well and I believe God also cares for their souls to be saved. What they believe should never be an exemption for us Christians not to reach them out. They need to know the truth and on how to apply God's word correctly in their lives.

God is our Mighty Fortress

 Life is a constant spiritual battle. Our enemy is always at work seeking ways to bring us great distress, discourage us and to make us weak and for us to lose our focus on God.

As I ponder upon the message of this song, I realize all the more that I am helpless without God. He is my best help in every moment and I need Him all the days of my life and I can't live without Him. This is a humbling truth that I need to always remember for God owns me and because of that, the enemy will also do all he can to destroy me. With this reason, I have to trust God and not on my own strength for He will fight for me and He will surely win the battle which I couldn't do myself. He is my Mighty Fortress!

The reality that I am living in this world filled with evil is an important truth that I need to face day by day. I should not take it lightly but bear in my heart and mind that I only have one enemy and that is the Prince of this World, the devil. I should not fear him for I have God and His word is my defense. I have to remind myself that I am already victorious in God and the devil is a defeated foe and his doom is sure. He will not win but be left behind helpless and powerless.

To sum up all of these things, I could say that God is a God of victory, He is our best help, He is trustworthy and He will reign forever. I have to hold on to these truths and continue to live a life pleasing to God, acknowledging always my need for Him through prayer and meditating His word. I need to soak my mind with God's word. I have to memorize Scriptures for that is my defense against the enemy. I should not listen to the negative things the enemy is telling me rather I should listen to what God is telling me in His word and speak that truth to myself which would help me draw more closely to God for His glory and not be easily deceived by the enemy. I have to be on guard always with God's help.

The Visit

 The expected time of Pope Francis' visit this coming January 15, 2015 create excitement to every Filipinos. For them it is always a cause for joy and celebration and a great blessing. It was said that the last papal visit was twenty years ago. It was quite a long time since it happened and every Filipinos are looking forward for this great event. The proposed venues of the papal mass was already finalized and arranged. They give their best to prepare for his visit for they admired how he served.. Thus, people testified that he served with humility and happiness. People look up to him because of his simplicity and how he slowly influenced the church in living an exemplary life.

Knowing this fact made me realized how Pope Francis touched the hearts of every Filipinos. The preparations they made, and how they showed reverence to him proves that this is a serious thing and everyone is waiting for this time to come. Also how Filipinos valued his visits to different places and his ministry of conducting mass is so much appreciated and many people are so much devoted to him.

Personally, I am sad hearing this news because I know for sure that the more people will never know God. The pope has so much created an impact to every Filipino citizen that there are so many people being led astray from what is right. They are so much blinded and for sure they believe that what they are doing is correct. As a Christian, I have a great mission to take to share the good news to others by my life and words. Since I am living in this dark world, I have to keep shining for Jesus. I have to pray more for opportunities in reaching the lost and to have more passion and love in doing it and also to disciple others so they can help others too. I have to also pray for my fellow believers that they may be active enough in participating the Great Commission that they will never take it lightly but acknowledge the urgency of doing it and it is a command from God. May every Christian displays a life that honors the Lord that when people witness it, they will be interested in knowing God and the difference He made to someone who chose to believe and receive Christ by faith. We have to continually proclaim the God we are serving and be compassionate enough to those who are still sinking deep in sin.