God is Always at Work

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Juice.PH

I got accepted for an online news site, and currently, I am on training. A problem is that I still don't have a new laptop (since my previous laptop got stolen, I am updating my three blogs at internet cafes). Also, my training fell on Holy Week when virtually every remittance center is closed, so I have to be extra cautious of my budget. But God is always online 24/7. He knows my scenario, and He intervened. My training was moved to Monday.

But another trial came. Black Saturday and I only had a buck left. I really had to find ways to tell my mom that I need cash. But it came to a point that I was wrestling with God. "What? Am I about to go a full day of fasting?" I already mulled at it, but again God provided. My weekend money came just in time (with little trouble, though, as my mom gave me a wrong code, but the Lord is indeed in control).

However, God is also at work when it comes to handling what I am supposed to do. Someone invited me to the opening of a barber shop tomorrow. I wanted to come, but I was reminded of my pastor's preaching last week: God will provide the right amount you need. It turned out, my money may not be enough to come over the opening. Eventually, I have to back out (Or did he not choose me just because I don't have a phone yet?), but my friend offered that we can set up another date for that. Jesus said "no" because He is telling me that it's His day--the day He rose from His martyrdom that was intended to save us from doom (it's "was", not "is", meaning Jesus Christ died once for us). Also, He's preparing me for a Word that may strike me.

Holy Week is indeed God's special week. We commemorate Jesus' death and resurrection, and He is tweaking our lives to live according to His plan, a plan that will prosper us and not harm us (Jeremiah 29:11).

Here are some of the verses I read today that may help those who work like me:

"Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for your masters, since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23)

"The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him." (Nahum 1:7)

Page 88 of 365: Different Means, Same Gospel

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Remember His suffering not just during a Good Friday, but everyday.
Show your love to Him the same way He showed His love to us.

After covering an event at Enchanted Kingdom, I heard a strange sound from outside the multi-purpose hall. The curious that I am, I went outside, and from just below Anchors Away, the ship-themed ride at EK, yeba! There were theater actors, dancers, and a choral ensemble giving the theme park visitors a treat. But I was curious with one of the actors. He dressed up like Jesus. "But hold it! Why are they wearing modern-day clothes and some are kinda punks?" Then a group of actors "forcefully" brought the lead actor to the Brooklyn area to be "judged" by a guy in a cool purple suit named "King Herod". I watched the place-to-place theater show too long enough that I didn't notice my friend leaving me behind already.

Since I lost her for good (Nope! I didn't get friendzoned. She just invited me to cover the event.), I just decided to finish watching the play before leaving. That's Cenakulo Rock, the Lenten month presentation of Enchanted Kingdom. Although it is patterned after the 1973 flick "Jesus Christ Superstar", I found the punky concept kinda awkward. But still, I found the presentation a coming of age, because it was a present-age portrayal of the Lord's sacrifice for us.

Times change, and so do the ways to remember the Gospel. Now, we hear the then solemn "Pasyon" or "Pabasa" with a mix of hit songs like Gangnam Style. Then from the usual dramatic approach of the re-enactment of Christ's crucifixion in provinces comes Cenakulo Rock. But still, the same Gospel is being told. They remind us of how Jesus, being sinless, became "sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21)." The injuries the theater actors have during the presentation and the pain we get every time we get hurt are no match to the sufferings of Jesus. He was mocked, tortured, crowned with thorns, spitted upon, and died in the most humiliating way just to save us from our sins. Being God, He kept His promise of coming back from the dead, and that's what happened on the third day. Now, we can have a direct relationship with God through His only begotten Son. Because of Him, we can now receive the gift of eternal life.

Yes, Cenakulo Rock or any means of telling the Gospel might bring you to tears, but if you don't take the Word of God to your heart, it will not make sense. Remember, "We all stumble in many ways (James 3:2a)." But because of Jesus Christ, we can stand up again and live to the fullest. This Lenten holidays, let's thank the Lord for His love that was showed to us through the cross. Remember His suffering not just during a Good Friday, but everyday. Show your love to Him the same way He showed His love to us.

Read James 3:2-18 and Proverbs 10:27-32.