answered prayer – PAOLOPUNZALAN.COM

WHEN A CHALLENGE SEEMS MASSIVE

Is anything too hard for the LORD? (Genesis 18:14)

This is a question I am often faced with… we all are.

We all believe this until we actually encounter a massive challenge that might beset us.

Last Friday, in our small group, Joshua shared that all week long, he was down sick. He couldn’t ‘afford’ to be sick because he and his wife were faced with bills to pay, mortgage payments for their townhouse and other outstanding dues.

But since he was in bed sick, being in real estate, no meetings would mean no chances of sale.

Lo and behold Friday afternoon, he gets a call and sells 3 units.

“Nothing is too hard for the Lord.”

Even in our sick bed or while we are asleep, God is working and is working everything out for our good.

As you start this week, remember that you may face several challenges, massive and minute. But right before you say or do anything, know this,

“Nothing is too hard for the Lord.”

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PHOTO CREDIT: http://www.flickr.com/photos/borisv/

NEW CHIEF JUSTICE SERENO

Listen to the #CJSearch interviews done by the Judicial and Bar Council with recently appointed Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno, published by ANC July 27, 2012.

It’s quite a lengthy interview (1 hour and 27 minutes) but it is worth your while. I trudged through the whole interview and as every minute passed, I got more and more excited with what God has done, doing and about to do in our nation.

Her foundations in her faith in God is evident and her staunch conviction for truth and integrity is indisputable.

But notice that as you watch the interview, she is astute, sharp and clever speaking articulately both in Filipino and English. She is an Economics graduate from Ateneo de Manila and studied Law in University of the Philippines finishing as class valedictorian and cum laude.

More of her profile here.

We need to pray for her and stand with her. She is the youngest Chief Justice that’s ever been appointed. When she retires at 70 years old in 2030, she would’ve served 18 years.

When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan. – Proverbs 29:2

Quotes from the interview:

“When I reach 70 years old in 2030, I’d like to be able to look at you, Justice Lagman and say, “I’ve kept my oath faithfully.”
When the Lord takes me home, I want to hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.””
“I want to be a public servant after God’s own heart.”
“I must simply apply the law as it is.”
“When we render justice, we mimic the work of God.”
“Justices and judges should articulate shared values in decisions and not replace them with their own perceptions.”
“Work of a Justice in 3 words: Vision, Courage and Accountability.”
“I do not want a personalistic service but a community shared-vision.”

IS GOD DEAF?

I spoke to a guy one time who asked me if God still listens to prayer these days.

He has prayed to God several times yet seemingly is not getting any answers.

1. Does God answer prayers?

Jeremiah 33:3 says to call upon Him and He will answer.

The Bible doesn’t say that He might or He probably will. The Bible says He will.

2. Now if God answers prayers, does He answer the way we wish Him to?

He always answers but the manner that He does may be different. In fact, the answer we get may not be what we expect it to be, but He does answer.

Isaiah 55 tells us that His ways are higher than ours and His thoughts are way beyond our thoughts.

We ask Him to open a door, yet the door He opens may be the one on the left, not the one on the right.

Last question…
3. If He does answer, will it be good.

Actually, when He answers, it is much better than we ever expected.

Ephesians 3:20 says that “He is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask or imagine.”

In other words, when He answers, it is way better than what we expected.

Does He answer prayer? A resounding yes!
Does He answer the way we want Him to? Not necessarily.
If He does answer, will it be good? Actually, it’s way better than what you’ve ever imagined or expected. Trust Him and see what He does.

WHEN THE ODDS ARE AGAINST YOU…

I was in my son’s baseball practice one afternoon and got a call from a dad. He barely could talk because he was crying to the point of sobbing. He had just come from the doctor’s office and had the ultrasound results of his baby.

Rewind a couple of months.

Julian calls me to ask for advice. Because his wife was diagnosed with acute apendicitis in the States, she had to go through lots of tests before they found out. Needless to say, she was exposed to a lot of radiation because of the tests.

A couple of weeks after that, when they get back to Manila, they found out that she was pregnant. They were advised to just abort the baby because the baby might come out with complications because of the heavy exposure to radiation.

Julian and Kate stood in faith. They prayed and asked for people to pray. They made a decision that God is able to protect their baby.

And He certainly did.

Below is their testimony of video of how awesome and faithful God was.