by: Jeflivs
The Philippines is the only Christian Nation in Asia and I am damn proud. In a christian nation, I enjoy the privilege to talk about my faith and practice my faith through service. I also enjoy the freedom to worship the God I believe without fear and prejudice. I am grateful to be born in a country of "lambs" where love, faith and hope overflows abundantly.
Few days ago, the "only christian" nation came to a panic when heard about the report of a television network of the disease spreading in Pangasinan. According to people I talked to, it is the fulfillment what that "Indian Prophet" has mentioned during a visit in the Philippines. I myself watched the video of his "prophecies" and found nothing supernatural or "prophetic". Floods, earthquakes, typhoon, volcanic eruptions and so on are natural in the Philippines for the reasons that we are in the Pacific Ring of Fire and incidentally, we are also located along the typhoon path of the pacific. Nothing is extraordinary. I have been living my life with these calamities. I have experienced floods of NCR and NL; I have experienced the strongest earthquake in 16, July 1990; I have experienced the effects of Mt. Pinatubo; What more? The Philippines almost have it all. They all came! The most extraordinary of all is that Filipinos manage to smile through it all.
Prophecies are words of God. It should bring HOPE and not fear. It should uplift the weary. It should inspire people. It should manifest LOVE. Why? Because it is the word of God. Jesus is the fulfillment of the words of God. If we read the bible and read the stories of the prophets, they always mention of a Savior. They mention of a messiah. All the words of those prophets were fulfilled with no uncertainty. They were truly inspired by God. They were not wolves clothe in sheep using God's words to prosper their own ministry. Even as a Christian Nation, we sometimes fall short. We are Christians by name but not in deeds. We are fooled easily because we know only a little of God's words. Little knowledge is dangerous. Religion is exalted rather than meaningful relationship to God. Some would mix cultural rituals as religious practices to a christian experience. A confused christian community is what we have. The way the oppressor wants it to be. The easiest way to get into the veins of filipinos is to hit them hard on their cultural rituals and beliefs. Hit them hard on the religious statues they place everywhere and they will always remember your name. Hit them hard why young filipinas like to consult fortune tellers before discovering their purpose in God. Hit them hard why they go to church but remain cold-hearted to their brothers and sisters. Hit them hard why they ask for God's forgiveness and yet they cannot forgive others - "forgive us for our sins as we forgive those who sin against us...". We become no less than the false prophets for we fail to accept Christ fully in our lives.
In this generation, we often hear "the end of the world", "the rise of 666", "The fulfillment of prophecies". "Wrath of God", "Great Famine", "Great Flood" and "War of the Worlds"; I just smile and leave the worry behind because I believe in a GOD that brings hope, love and prosperity. As the bible says in Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Amen!
-Jeflivs
Reflections:
Matthew 24:24 “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.”
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
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