Nalaman ko sa isang homily sa St. Peter’s Parish na mayroon pa lang National Bible’s Week.  Hindi man ako nagbabasa palagi o iyong dibdiban  ay aaminin ko na sa bible ako humuhugot ng motivation. Nakatulong pa napapabasa rin ako ng  Our Daily Bread o Our Daily Journey.

Siguro may mga question sa iba’t ibang paniniwala at tradisyon pero hindi gaano nakasaad sa bibliya.  Iyon nga lang, mas marami ang hindi nagbabasa. Ako naman ay nasa grade 6 ako nangmna-introduce sa akin ni kuya Marlon ang pagbabasa ng bible.

My first assignment was to memorize a bible verse na kung hindi ako nagkakamali ay ito “The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.” Psalm 118: 7-8

Then, pinasaulo n’ya ‘yong lahat ng title ng books sa bible, pero ‘yong New Testament lang ang talagang na-memorize ko.  Dahil do’n, sa loob ng maraming taon, ay hindi ko na kailangan tingnan ang table contents.

Hindi ako nakikipagdebate sa mga katanungan, prinsipyo o interpretasyon ng iba, basta alam ko nagbabasa ako ng bible para mabigyan ako ng guide, wisdom at encouragement sa buhay.  Ang mga sumusunod ay ilan sa paborito kong bible verses:

Strawberry Farm, La Trinidad

for  business/ investing: “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” – 2 Corinthians 9:6

in whatever contests/competition: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.”  1 Corinthians 9:24

When I’m so anxious: “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” Matthew 6:27

When I’m rebellious: “Athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules.” 2 Timothy 2:5

When I’m afraid:  “Be strong & courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:8

In giving: “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7

When I’m struggling: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

When I’m down and in doubt. “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.   2 Timothy 1:7

Inspiration for love: “Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy as enduring as the grave. Love flashes like fire, the brightest kind of flame. Many waters cannot quench love, nor can rivers drown it. If a man tried to buy love with all his wealth, his offer would be utterly scorned.” Songs of Solomon 8:6-7

And this is for my epitaph: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” Job 1:21