"I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6


In this Gospel, it speaks about the call to keep the commandments of God and to remember the way that God has led us these years of living and wandering our life.
Remembering is essential, and God modeled that for us. He wants us to cherish him and all his doings not only in the dull times but also in our victorious times. God gives us understandings of why He wants us to experience all this. The results of this are seen and felt by all of us who are alive today: Suffering. Many have been puzzled by the suffering we see in our world. The question is often asked, "If God is all-powerful and all-good, why does He allow suffering?" It is because He is testing us. With that said, what is the purpose of these?
Time of testing. A test that never comes at a convenient time. This explains that God was examining us for Him to know how powerful our faith and loyalty. God also wants to perceive what is in our hearts, whether we would fulfill His commandments or not. That is why He deliberately made difficulties for us to face. God knows that all of us will move closer to Him when we suffer. He wants us to endure pain because He needs us to remember to follow Him and His commandments alone. One of the afflictions is what we are all facing right now. The COVID-19 Pandemic that brought people to be afflicted with hunger not only with the food itself but also the word of the Lord, which is one of the miseries that God wanted us to encounter. People are tested for them to realize that they need God. We cannot naturally live and put ourselves into where we want to be unless we choose to believe every word that comes comes forth from the mouth of the Lord. Suffering will indeed come, but God can give us grace and power to overcome every trial and to fulfill our purpose and mission in His kingdom. God will faithfully grant us all, as He promised us. "Blessed is the man who preserves under trial because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who will love Him." - James 1:12

-Tessa Sarzona

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