The Importance of the Word of God

  The Anointing of King David  Introduction Today we will reflect on the first reading from 1 Samuel 16:1 onwards, which tells the story of the anointing of King David. This passage is intriguing because it reveals that the current ruler, King Saul, is unaware of the new anointed king. Likewise, the new anointed king, David, does not know why he has been chosen. In this blog, we will dive into this chapter and explore the message that God wants to convey through this passage. The Background Story  The story begins with King Saul already ruling over Israel. God, however, is preparing to anoint a new king without Saul's knowledge. David, a shepherd boy, is chosen by the prophet Samuel to be anointed as the next king. While David is unaware of the reason behind his anointing, Samuel knows that he is fulfilling God's command. This chapter is filled with interesting events that shed light on the people's desire for a physical king and the consequences of their decision. The Peop

Praying in Front of Statues: A Biblical Perspective Today, I would like to address a common misunderstanding regarding the practice of praying in front of statues. Many people believe that Christians or Catholics engage in idol worship by bowing down before these statues. In this reflection, we will explore why we have statues, why we pray in front of them, and whether this practice is biblical. The Commandment Exodus 20:4 states, "You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth." This commandment prohibits the creation of idols or statues representing heavenly beings, earthly beings, or creatures of the water. However, we must understand the intention behind this commandment. It is not meant to forbid the creation of any statues or idols at all. Instead, it is meant to prohibit the substitution of God with a statue or idol and the worship of that statue

  The incredible impact of prayer    Matthew, a humble priest who dedicated himself to daily prayer for world evangelization. Through his prayers, retreat centers were established around the world, attracting thousands and millions of people to the Lord. This fulfillment of God's promise reminds us of the power of prayer. When we pray, it is important to pray with tears, as this shows our deep emotional involvement and sincerity. The Bible tells us that those who pray with tears will not be disappointed, and that God counts every tear we shed. Jesus himself offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears, setting an example for us to follow. Praying with Tears Praying with tears shows emotional involvement and sincerity God counts every tear we shed Jesus offered prayers and supplications with tears Examples of individuals who prayed with tears: Hannah, Mary, the widow, and Mary Magdalene Scripture References Psalm 126:5-6 - "May those who sow in tears reap with s

The power of prayer and the prayer life of Jesus. In Matthew 14:22, we see that after the multiplication of the five loaves of bread for five thousand people, Jesus forced the disciples to get into the boat and go to the other side of the lake, dismissing the crowd. Jesus made sure that every block was removed and that he could spend time in the presence of his Father. He went up to the mountain to pray the whole night. Even though the disciples were attacked by waves and storms while Jesus was praying, they were protected because of his prayer. When Jesus came to help them, walking on water, the disciples initially thought he was a ghost. This shows that even in times of crisis, we tend to doubt the presence of God and believe in the presence of evil. But Jesus reassured them, saying, "Take heart, it is I, do not be afraid." This applies to us as well. In times of struggles and suffering, we should not doubt or get disappointed, but trust in the Lord. Let us read Matthew 14:

 If there is a mess here, there is a message there. Praise the Lord. If there is a mess here, there is a message there. The moment I see something disturbing me, I have to look up to the Lord. Tell me, where did I go wrong? What shall I do? What's next? Is it pride? Is it selfishness? Is it self-centeredness? I know somewhere I've gone wrong. It helps me a lot, my dear brothers and sisters. I never doubt Him and never feel that He will abandon me. He will never do that because He promised me, "I will never leave you orphan" (John 14:18). That message is for me, it's for you. He will never do it. He will never leave you orphaned. So, I know He will not leave me even if I commit terrible sins. He will not leave me. But if there is a time where I feel I'm left out or left alone, that means something. He wants to speak to me, somewhere He wants to correct me.

  Reasons Why We Struggle to Pray Many people desire to pray but find themselves unable to do so. There are various reasons that contribute to this struggle: Lack of knowledge about the power and importance of prayer Impatience and disappointment when prayers are not immediately answered Feeling that prayer is useless due to past experiences Misusing prayer as a form of bribery Asking for things with wrong intentions The Power of Prayer Many people do not pray because they do not understand the power and significance of prayer. They are unaware of what happens during prayer. It is important to believe that something is happening when we pray, even if we cannot see it at the moment. Examples from the Bible, such as Saul, the Ethiopian eunuch, and Lydia, show that when people prayed, God was actively working in their lives. Impatience and Disappointment Impatience and disappointment arise when prayers are not answered according to our expectations. Sometimes, God has a better plan for us