Those who fear God need not fear death

2 Timothy 4:6 (King James Version)
For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.


Philippians 1:23 (New International Version)
I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;


Departure is a nautical term that suggests dying...severing ties with this world and getting to a better place where there is no more pain, sorrow, or suffering, completing the purpose for which we were made. For Christians, it is a time for joy and excitement and a hearty "Bon Voyage!"


Psalm 23:4 (New International Version)
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.


John 14:1-3 (New International Version)
1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.


It is like traveling to a distant land where you have never been before...there is excitement but at the same time fear of the unknown. No need for worrying because Jesus assured us that He is going there ahead to prepare a place for us and will come back and take us with Him so we may be where He is.


2 Peter 3:13 (New International Version)
But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.


10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.


11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.


The destruction of the existing earth will no longer be by flood but by fire... along with the sky above us which is the first heaven. We ought to live holy and godly lives as we look forward to the second coming of Christ who will bring us to a new heaven and a new earth.


1 Corinthians 2:9 (The New King James Version)
"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."


Galatians 6:9 (The New King James Version)
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.


All we need to do is to continue living a good life, doing the will of the Father here on earth, doing good to all, especially to those who are in of the household of faith and we shall reap the reward that God has in store for us. We should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, but speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-Christ. For our citizenship is not here on earth but in heaven. We are here to learn and just passing through in our journey to heaven.


Revelations 3:5 (The New King James Version)
"He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels."


Revelation 21 (New King James Version)
1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” 6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Revelation 14:13 (New King James Version) "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'" "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them."

This is the description of the New Jerusalem from Revelation 21:18 And the construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second was sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

If you knew you were dying...

If you knew you were dying, how would you spend your time? What would you say to the people you love? How would you live? Where would you go for consolation and comfort?

Proverbs 1:23 Turn at my reproof; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.

Malachi 3:7 "Yet from the days of your fathers you have gone away from My ordinances and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you," says the Lord of hosts.

Go back to God...make a clean slate, search your heart for any unforgiven sin. Ask the Lord, though your sins are as red as crimson, to make them as white as snow by the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ, who died and paid dearly for all our iniquities. Receive the grace of forgiveness , make a complete turn around from sins, and begin to serve Him.

Malachi 3:17 "They shall be Mine," says the Lord of hosts, "on the day that I make them My jewels. 'And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him."

Serving the Lord is the best thing you can do for your life. Anyone who has kept His commandments and has served Him for a long period of time can be assured of God's mercy. He will be spared from hurting, harming or destroying...and will be taken cared of like a good son who has served him well. It is never too late to make amends with God. He can read your heart and will meet your needs halfway. The goal here is to be included in the Book of Life.

Malachi 3:16 Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name.

The Lord is not far from us who search Him. Acts 17:27 "so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 "for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, "For we are also His offspring!"

Read the Bible everyday and make someone happy each day of your remaining life...in the process you will be happier because you are learning from an awesome experience and becoming a better person. Hosea 6:6 "For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings."

Submit yourself to baptism in Christ. Romans 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,
6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
7 For he who has died has been freed from sin.
8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,
9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him...
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Tatiao Ministry...

James 5:16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

I belong to a small group of Christians gathered together for a common purpose of helping the poor citizens of Tatiao, Silang in Cavite to improve their lives. We recently parted ways but stay connected with one another thru prayer and text messaging. Human as we are, we have differences yet transparent and at the same time comfortable enough to be ourselves...no pretentions nor hidden agenda. We reach out to each other and help meet each other's needs...genuinely and sincerely concern for each other's welfare. We are more than sisters or family members because of the love that binds us together. Though apart, we are together in prayer fostering unity and strength amongst us.

I'd like to believe that God is pleased in the unity of this group thereby opening the door for His complete healing for me and eventually for a sister named Evelyn...physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I got healed of hyperthyroidism without medications. Unbelievably, my recent thyroid function tests...TSH, FT3 and FT4 are now normal. Blood pressure reading also went down from as high as 156/105 to 120/80. Next on the line is my blood glucose level which can be controlled thru exercise and proper diet...no more white flour and sugar for me from now on. I am glad my eyes are wide open now on the importance of proper nutrition and exercise to maintain good health.

When we walk in love and unity, our prayers become more effective and something supernatural takes place...God pours out His abundant blessings and healing in our lives, our needs are abundantly supplied, and we experienced deep inner joy that nothing can compare in this world. Smile is as natural as breathing...and an aura of happiness and contentment is forever etched on our faces. As our mentor, Tita Myrna Sayoc said, "If Jesus is in you, it will surely show on your face!" We all turn away from sin afraid of losing the favor of God in our lives.

Christmas if fast approaching and I believe we can be together again visiting the folks in Tatiao and giving gifts...sharing blessings and ministering to people...we surely miss each other's company. See you all soon my dearest friends...

Be healed...or your sins are forgiven

Aside from stress and depression, sin could also be the cause of psychosomatic illnesses. Read Mark 2:1-12 Four men carried a paralytic to Jesus entering from a hole at the roof of the house because of the crowd. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralyzed man, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves: "Why does the man talk in that way?" He said to them: "Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven, or to say, 'Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk again'?" The man stood and picked up his mat and went outside in the sight of every one. They were awestruck ; all gave praise to God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"

Another story of healing is John 5:1-15 regarding a man healed of his infirmity at the Pool of Bethesda. Note that he had this infirmity for 38 long years. Jesus said in John 5:14 "See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you."

Admittedly, not all sicknesses are caused by sin, but shouldn't it be more important to treat first the soul and spirit so as to cure any accompanying psychosomatic illness? When we neglect the reading of God's Word, we invite spiritual illness. When left unattended, it affects the physical being as well. The Bible is God's prescription for the health of our soul. Read it often to maintain good health both on the spiritual and physical realms.

Proverbs 18:14 A man's spirit sustains him in infirmity - but a broken spirit who can bear?

Proverbs 15:13 A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

If anyone of you is ill, first search your heart, ask God forgiveness for all the sins you committed and pray for complete healing of your physical body as well. He created you so He knows how to repair every inch of your body. Believe that He already heard your prayer and receive His healing. Praise and thank Him for healing you and be grateful for all the blessings you receive from Him. Do not dwell on the sickness...do not even talk about it but focus more on the healing. Day by day thank God for removing symptoms of illness...and day by day praise God for His glory.

Psalm 100:1 Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! 2 Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. 3 Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. 5 For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.

We all belong to God...He made us so we are His people. It is our duty to keep His commandments...know them by heart and follow His perfect will for us. Ecclesiastes 12:13 Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. This is compassion or charity, and holiness, without which no one can see God.

Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all men, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

So we all need to be reconciled to God...accept that we are all sinners and ask forgiveness. 2 Corinthians 5:18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Isaiah 53:5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquites; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. This means healing, not only of the body, but most especially of the spirit and soul. It was all paid for by the blood and the stripes of Jesus.

Write this advice in your heart if you want to live long: Proverbs 3:1 My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; 2 For length of days and long life and peace they will add to you.

Proverbs 3:13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; 14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her.

To remain healthy, it is important for us to be joyful always in all circumstances... focus on the brighter side of life...the good things in life...so you would attract more good things because you appreciate what you already have. It is called law of attraction. "Whatever it is you are feeling is a perfect reflection of what is in the process of becoming." In the biblical sense, it is called FAITH. Without faith, you cannot please God.

Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad. Depression, according to a study, is the main cause of psychosomatic diseases including cancer. Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

Reading the Bible will bring goodness and health to us. Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are like honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. Proverbs 15:15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, but he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.

Continue to increase in knowledge and wisdom, day after day, for it is said in Proverbs 24:13 My son, eat honey because it is good, and the honeycomb which is sweet to your taste; 14 So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; If you have found it, there is a prospect, and your hope will not be cut off.

It is best to start your day right by worshipping God...singing praises to Him, adoring and glorifying His most holy name, His wondrous deeds and amazing creations and thanking Him for all His goodness to us. It would be wise also to make a gratitude list or carry a gratitude stone with you wherever you go to remind you everytime you see the stone to thank God for eveything. Proverbs 28:14 Happy is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

God commands us to be joyful always. It was mentioned in the Bible more than 200 times so it must really mean something... that we rejoice everyday of our lives. He wants us to have pure joy coming from deep inside our hearts so we can live prosperous and victorious lives as He meant to be.

Knowing the True - Rejecting the False

1 John 5:18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.
19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

It is difficult to live in this world without committing a sin but the Spirit of God helps us in our weakness (Romans 8:26) so that we may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among whom we shine as lights in the world (Philippians 2:15). Proverbs 1:23 says, Turn at my reproof; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you, I will make my words known to you.

Sins unwillfully committed are pardonable and we have this confidence that when we ask for forgiveness, our most gracious Father will hear our prayer and forgive us.

1 John 5:14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that.
17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.

If you commit a particular sin over and over again, you are crucifying Jesus for the 2nd time and defiling the Holy Spirit which could tantamount to unpardonable sin leading to death.

Lying to the Holy Spirit also proved fatal to both Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, in Acts 5:1-11. But who can escape condemnation? Those who accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour, subjected themselves to God...and follow God's perfect will on earth till the end.

Romans 6:5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,
6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
7 For he who has died has been freed from sin.

Hebrews 10:36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.
37 "For yet a little while and He who is coming will come and will not tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him."

Hebrews 12:5 "My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
6 for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives."
7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?
8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?
10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may partakers of His holiness.
11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and feeble knees,
13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.
14 Pursue peace with all men, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

God's promise to us who keep his commands:
Hebrews 13:5 "I will never leave you nor forsake you." ...provided we fulfill the following condition in the same verse: Let your conduct be without covetousness, and be content with such things as you have. 6 So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"
15 Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is , the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Grace be with us all...Amen.

Jesus Sets Us Free

John 8:32 You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

When Jesus died on the cross, we all died with Him including our sins and inequities. We are now new persons with His Spirit inside us...free to follow His footsteps and walk in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness,
20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outburst of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Galatians 5:13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!

We always wanted to be good yet sometimes found ourselves unable to shake off the chains of bad habits. Simply turn in faith to Jesus so we can be set free from the bondage of sin. He alone can break the shackles of sin in our life. Receive Him as your Saviour, and "the truth shall make you free".

We must place our faith in Jesus and trust in Him alone to save us (Ephesians 2:8-9). We must show our faith by being willing to repent from our sins and accepting Jesus Christ and His gift of eternal life (1 John 5:11, 12; Revelations 3:20).

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I need you. I confess that I am a sinner. I believe that you died on the cross to pay for all my sins. With Your help, I will turn away from sins. Please come into my life and be my Saviour and my Master. I accept your gift of eternal life. Make me the kind of new person you want me to be. Thank you for coming into my life and giving me eternal life. Amen.

In Tagalog: Panginoong Jesus, ako ay makasalanan. Nananalig akong ikaw ay namatay sa krus para sa aking mga kasalanan. Tinatanggap kita bilang Panginoon at Tagapagligtas. Baguhin mo ako. Salamat sa pagdating mo sa aking buhay at sa kaloob mong buhay na walang hanggan. Amen.

Are you free?

Luke 21:34 Be on guard lest your spirits become bloated with indulgence and drunkenness and worldly cares. The great day will suddenly close in on you like a trap.

Are you always in a hurry? ...no time to pray nor even read the Bible? not even the time to speak to your fellow Christians? nor to your heavenly Father? ...too busy acquiring wealth or trying to pay off your bills? In doing so, you will save enough but not your soul.

Matthew 6:33 Seek first His kingship over you, His way of holiness, and all these things will be given you besides.

If you give priority to God, you won't lack anything, even TIME! He will give back to you the hours you spent for Him. How can He do that? He is GOD! He can make things happen for you and for all those who love Him more than anything else in this world.

You spent hours making yourself presentable...the ladies even spent more time for manicure, pedicure and make-up. But the inner man is more important than the outward man and should be well taken cared of more than the outward man.

1 Peter 3:4 Your adornment is rather the hidden character of the heart, expressed in the unfading beauty of a calm and gentle disposition. This is precious in God's eyes.

2 Corinthians 4:16 We do not lose heart, because our inner being is renewed each day even though our body is being destroyed at the same time.

I recently took care of my husband at a hospital in Manila where he underwent his 2nd surgery removing his gallbladder and several stones inside. He was confined in a ward of 5 beds...one was a breast cancer patient, the other one scheduled for leg surgery to allign his knee cap, the third also underwent gallbladder surgery while the 4th bed was vacant. One thing is certain...when a person undergoes surgery, he or she is venturing into the unknown where no one knew the outcome.. In the middle of the surgery, something may go wrong...a cardiac arrest, too much anesthesia, a different type of blood inserted into the IV of a patient, switched of medicines...any surgical patient is now at the hands of the surgeon and his supporting staff. In fear, most patients turn to God for protection and comfort...something that they don't normally do when all is well and no problem is in sight. Will God hear them at this very last minute?

Ecclesiastes12:1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years approach of which you will say, I have no pleasure in them; 2 Before the sun is darkened, and the light, and the moon, and the stars, while the clouds return after the rain; 3 When the guardians of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, And the grinders are idle because they are few, and they who look through the windows grow blind; 4 When the doors to the street are shut, and the sound of the mill is low; When one waits for the chirp of a bird, but the daughters of song are suppressed; 5 And one fears heights, and perils in the street; When the almond tree blooms, and the locusts grow sluggish and the caper berry is without effect. Because man goes to his lasting home, and mourners go about the streets; 6 Before the silver cords is snapped and the golden bowl is broken, and the pitcher is shattered at the spring, and the broken pulley falls into the well, 7 And the dust returns to the earth as it once was, and the life breath returns to God who gave it.

Do not wait for a bad thing to happen before you turn to God. While still young and able, do the right thing and submit yourself to God.

James 4:7 Therefore submit to God; resist the devil and he will take flight. 8 Draw close to God, and He will draw close to you.

When you have a strong connection to God, one sigh of prayer will bring more than what you expect and ... much, much more because you have been pleasing God all your life. You are connected to THE POWER SOURCE much like an appliance to the electric outlet...one turn of a knob and the power is already within reach.

Psalm 34:7 When the afflicted man called out, the Lord heard, and from all his distress He saved him. 8 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them.

It is better to put our trust in God than in men who are just mortal beings like us. We need physicians and surgeons but God has a much better understanding of what He created and He can very well guide these doctors in treating whatever ailment we may have.

Even when we do not know how to pray and what to pray for, God intervenes for us. Romans 8:26 The Spirit too helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in speech. 27 He who searches the hearts knows what the Spirit means, for the Spirit intercedes for the saints as God himself wills.

And when our time to leave this earth comes, we can be sure of where we are going. 1 Corinthians 15:54 When the corruptible frame takes on incorruptibility and the mortal immortality, then will the saying of Scripture be fulfilled: "Death is swallowed up in victory."

Paul's advice to the Corinthians and to us as well: 1 Corinthians 15:58 Be steadfast and persevering, my beloved brothers, fully engaged in the work of the Lord. You know that your toil is not in vain when it is done in the Lord.