Sunday 26 July 2015

To Die

Why die?

How many times have we sought God’s intercession for healing of a loved one, a friend or even a stranger, yet they die?

The story of the leper tells us of God’s victory over physical ailment.  “And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said, "Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean." He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, "I will do it. Be made clean." His leprosy was cleansed immediately.”  (Matthew 8:2-3)

Yet even with unceasing prayer, there are instances when a community fails to experience God’s healing grace.  We must not be disappointed nor lose faith.  When we think that God is not in control, He is. There are instances that God’s plan is not in accord with what we seek and aspire.  The suffering that one goes through should draw us closer to Him. “So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good." (1 Pet. 4:19)

While we long for miracles to happen through the healing of those who suffer, we must realize that God’s greatest miracle occurred through death, that is, the death of his beloved son, Jesus, who suffered in Jerusalem and was crucified on the cross. Christ conquered death, as He resurrected on the third day and ascended after forty days to sit in the throne at the right hand of the Father.

We must never waiver in our faith in God for He is all-knowing, all-loving. "For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure'" (Isaiah 46:9, 10).


To die is to return to the sweet caress of the Lord. (Bro Mel B Libre)

Sunday 19 July 2015

War and Conflict

Are we in the verge of World War III?  Israel has been in a state of war since its founding.  Isis has threatened nations in the Middle East. Russia is creating tension in Europe with its expansionist agenda. China is putting its weight in the China Sea alarming affected nations and its allies.

War and conflicts are manifestations of man’s greed of power over peoples, territories and resources. The end results are deaths, suffering and destruction.  The United Nations was established to bring about lasting peace, but war and conflict have never ceased in different parts of the world. For always, in every generation there are those who lust for power.

Christ said: “Do not think I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10:34) Jesus declared war and perceived of conflict: “For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s foes will be those of his own household.” (Matthew 10:35-36).

Nay, the Savior was not referring to war and conflict as we understand these to be. What he meant is the battle we need to wage against sin and Satan. It is a war between God’s light and the Devil’s darkness.  The battlefield is the heart of every individual. This war is more important because the victor will claim the soul for all eternity.


We must stand behind the army of God to fight against the spiritual forces that want to deny us the Heavenly kingdom.  We must resist the worldly allure of Satan; and we can only do so with the sword of the Spirit or the Word of God that "pierces to the division of soul and spirit... discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12, Revelations 19:15). (Bro Mel B Libre)

Sunday 12 July 2015

Boy on the Sidewalk

Daniel Cabrera, a 9-year old boy, sat on his legs as he worked on his school assignment beside a McDonald’s Restaurant where there was enough light, as there was none at home. His mother was working in a nearby eatery. He was oblivious of the noise, the elements and the people around him, as he studied his lessons on the sidewalk. He caught the attention of a passing university student who took a photo and posted this on her Facebook account.

That photo became viral in the social network. For a moment, Daniel was the center of media attention, with generous people responding to the needs of the boy. To Joyce Torrefranca, the university student, and many others, Daniel is an inspiration.

On the other hand, success stories of famous school drop-outs like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs have become an excuse for a number of our youths in not pursuing a degree. Not that they cannot afford, quite a number are well-to-do. They think that their present material abundance will carry them through life; maybe for a few.  Without sufficient knowledge and lacking in fundamental life tools, these “Richie Richs” can fall into the abyss of poverty, hopelessness and hardship. While riches slip out of one’s hand like sand, knowledge sticks in the mind for a lifetime.  “How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.” (Proverbs 16:16)

To pursue knowledge is to attain wisdom, and to have wisdom is to appreciate life and to appreciate in life. “For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.” (Ecclesiastes 7:12)

Carry on, Daniel in your pursuit of knowledge. Farther ahead in your life journey, there is more than gold. (Bro Mel B Libre)

Sunday 5 July 2015

Man and Woman

The US Supreme Court has redefined marriage by striking down prohibitions on same-sex marriage in all 50 states on June 26, 2015. For the LGBT community it was a historic moment. The US joins 17 other countries that have legalized gay marriages.  These countries are Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Uruguay. It will be no surprise that other states will follow suit as LGBT activists use legal arguments for their case.

I have friends who are gay or lesbian, and they are talented, righteous and Christian. I respect them for their individuality. But the union between people of the same-sex is a different issue. No law, no judicial ruling and no legal argument can overrule God’s precepts.

“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:27)

“And He answered and said to them, ‘Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’” (Matthew 19:4)

“But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’” (Mark 10:6)

“As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it." (Genesis 9:7)

“The unique meaning of marriage as the union of one man and one woman is inscribed in our bodies as male and female,” said Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, president of the U.S. bishops’ conference.

In one of his homilies during his visit in the Philippines in January 2015, Pope Francis told the audience, "The family is also threatened by growing efforts on the part of some to redefine the very institution of marriage…As you know, these realities are increasingly under attack from powerful forces which threaten to disfigure God's plan for creation and betray the very values which have inspired and shaped all that is best in your culture."


As faithful believers of Christ, it is incumbent upon us to find shelter in God’s teachings, and remain strong and steadfast in protecting our families from the laws of man that are dictated by the devil. (Bro Mel B Libre)