Maayong buntag kaninyo nga tanan Daku kayo ang among kalipay nga Makita

kamo namo after so many years. We thank manang lilies, Ayen and Christian for
the excellent and generous accommodation in their house.
Today is Bible Sunday Mapasalamaton kita sa atong kanhing president, Cory
Aquino tungod kay giila niya ang pagkabililhon sa pulong sa Dios mao nga gi-
declare niya ang last Sunday of January as Bible Sunday. Kinsa kaninyo ang
nakabasa na sa tibook Bibliya? Itaas palihug ang kamot. Kung sulayan nato
pagbasa ang Bibliya gikan sa Genesis hangtud sa Revelation, Makita nato ang
mahigugmaon ug kahibulungang paagi sa Ginoo alang kanato nga bisan kita
makasasala, sukad pa kang Adan gihatagan kitang tanan ug daku kaayong higayon
nga mahibalik kita kaniya. God is a God of love and he is not giving up on us . So
God gave us his word to guide us to Him. Yes, “God’s word is given by inspiration
of God and is useful for doctrine, for reproof, correction , for instruction in
righteousness that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for
every good work” II Tim. 3:16. That is why we need to read and study the Bible
so we will be guided properly in the way we conduct ourselves. Wow ! the Bible
is complete with stories, poetry, advices, letters of exhortation and
encouragement, prophecies,
Read God’s word and discover treasures unlimited! In His word, I find hope,
courage, strength and tremendous blessings of joy and peace as I go through each
day. Isaiah 43:2 when you go through the deep waters and great trouble I will be
with you.” Nehemiah8;10 “ the joy of the Lord is my strength.” Phil. 4:6 “Do not
be anxious about anything but in everything with prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving make your request known unto God and the peace of God which
passeth all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” I Peter
5:7- “ Itugyan kaniya ang tanan ninyong kabalaka kay siya ang nagatiman
kaninyo.”
Wonderful isn’t it? You see, it never occurred to me that I would have another
cancer after having a remission for27 years from endometrial carcinoma stage 3
.Well, this time I have another one. Right now, I have invasive ductal carcinoma ,
in other words, malignant breast cancer. And of course we were scared and
shocked! I have seen a lot of cancer patients who underwent Chemotherapy,
radiation, suffered nausea, looked weak, lost their hair, and after their hair was
back, they died just the same. Praise God! God’s word continued to speak to us.
It so seemed that our devotional in the morning and evening spoke
encouragement. So that our family did not remain in a state of shock for a long
time. It was also timely that I saw this bookmark from the Bible Society that said “
what cancer cannot do.” It is true and I believe that it cannot take away the
reality of who God is and that he rules in every situation in my life. It cannot take
the comforting presence of the Holy Spirit and the certainty that He is with me. I
felt the Lord’s presence in the operating room. Just before anesthesia, I prayed
for my surgeon who was actually my former pupil in kindergarten, and the other
assisting doctors and nurses. I also believe that my disease cannot hinder God’s
acts of divine healing and restoration here on earth of in heaven. I believe that
whether I live or die, I am the Lord’s.” Romans 14: 8. And yes! it did not stop the
outpouring of prayers and blessings on our behalf. Lots of friends are praying for
me. The church prayed! Not only prayed. Friends and relatives, family, became
God’s channels of generosity as they voluntarily shared their resources. Really!
We cannot thank God enough! That is why on that Sunday, a day I was released
from the hospital, I committed myself to sing with the choir.
Dr. Tan of Grace Christian High sch. Has a version of the chorus of Count your
blessings; I will sing it and I want you to sing with me: Count your blessings name
them 1 by 1, count your blessings name them 2 by 2, count your blessings name
them score by score and it will surprise you there are millions more.
This time, I have completed 33 daily sessions of radiation at Perpetual Hosp.
There, we met a lot of cancer patients , young and old. Men and women with
different kinds of cases. Ohhh I did not realize nga danghan diay gayud ang
adunay cancer karong panahona. Walay pili. We got to know each other. This
also gave me the chance to talk with them and share God’s word of hope, joy and
love. We tell each other. “The joy of the Lord is our strength!” I listed their
names and until now, Tatay and I continue to pray for them.
And Ohhh! The technicians were nice and respectful friendly young people with
whom I prayed before the radiation sessions. I pray for them to be God’s
intruments of healing for me and the other patients in the waiting room; for the
machine and the special healing presence of the Lord in the room. Sometimes,
when I forget, they would say, maam, pray na tayo. Of course, naanad na sila sa
prayer adlaw-adlaw nga magkita kami sa hospital. I strongly believe that the Lord
was mightily at work in that facility. We sort of feel happy going there everyday,
looking forward of meeting them esp. our cancer “classmates” I miss them now,
but happy that the short stint in that facility is over. Of course, lab tests,
monitoring, therapies and others will continue for a long time and I know that our
faithful God will be there all the time. I believe that God’s word as Heb. 4:12 says
“Kay and pulong sa Dios buhi ug maabtik ug mas hait pa kay sa bisan unsang
espada nga duhay sulab. Mudulot kini hangtud sa kinahiladman sa kalag ug sa
espiritu hangtud sa dapit diin nagabut ang lutahan ug kauyukan.” I know that my
sharing of God’s word of hope and joy was very casual. I really do not know the
impact of these words to them: the joy of the Lord is our strength; O give thanks
unto the Lord for His mercies endure forever; Taste and see that the Lord is good,
blessed is the man who trusts in Him.” and other Bible verses. One thing I know; I
trust that God’s word will continue to pierce their hearts and soul like a 2 edged
sword.Cancer cannot stop the power of God’s word nor its comfort and joy to our
souls. Our task is to share God’s word. Then We can trust the Lord to do the rest.
Long time ago, my father was walking from barrio where he held a Bible study, he
noticed a young man ahead of him swaggering in his walk. Hubog diay.
Gitimbaya kini ni Papa kay mao kadto siya, motimbaya gayud kung kinsa ang iyang
makadungan paglakaw. Iyang giila-ila ug sa ilang conversation, gi sharan niya
kining batan-on sa Gospel. Iya kining gi-imbitar pagsimba kay Sabado man kadto.
Daku ang pagkatingala sa mga membro sa simbahan kay niadto man kini siya.
Nakaila man ang mga tawo nga kini siya, bogoy ug palahubog. Ilang gi-abi-abi ug
sa human sa wali, si Papa nag-altar call. Daku na sab pag ka tingala sa mga tawo
kay mitindug ang batan-on ug he accepted the Lord. From that time on, he was a
changed person. This man was Rev. Diosdado Aenlle, a former palahubog ug
bogoy sa Cabadbaran. Really, we cannot tell how God’s word can pierce the
hearts of people. Their conversation was also very casual but God’s word pierced
Mr. Aenlle’s heart.
Mga igsoon sa ginoo, sa atong faith journey ug pagkinabuhi karon, hinumduman
nato kanunay nga ang pulong sa Ginoo powerful gayud ug ato king himoon nga
giya sa atong mga lakang. Sa atong panghunahuna, decisions, sa atong mga buhat.
Let God’s word be a light to our feet and a lamp to our path. Psalm 119 :10. As
God’s word have taught, guided, exhorted, correct, encouraged, strengthened
many people who studied and obeyed through the ages, so will it be done to all of
us who would do the same and put our trust in the Holy word of God.
And going back to my case, there is one thing that cancer can do. And if it be
God’s will, it can usher me into God’s glorious presence and see Him face to face
even as I continue to hold on to God’s goodness and faithfulness . Surely,
goodness and mercy shall follow me all the rest of my life and I will dwell in the
house of the Lord forever.Psalm 23; 6 . Amen! God bless us all.