Where Is God In Your Trials?

 Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Isaiah 43:4-5


When a friend of more than 40 years was felled with a rather severe case of pneumonia and struggled to regain his health, a pastor called and told him that surely he had sin in his life and if he would only confess and forsake his wrongdoing, then God would heal him.  It sounds much like some of the advice that good old Job got from his friends, too. But, as they say, with friends as that, who needs enemies?


The reality is that we are living in an imperfect world, one where good people suffer and where, at times, bad people seem to stay healthy. But wait, life has a way of equalizing the footing. In other words, God keeps score, and that’s very good news. Isaiah looked about him and recognized that there are no exemptions from being fully human. He recorded God’s message: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God” (Isaiah 43:1-3).  Notice that Isaiah began each thought with the word when, not if.  When means it’s eventually going to happen, so you had better be prepared.


First, Isaiah spoke of the depth of your trial—the deep waters. If you have ever taken a walking stick and tried to cross a turbulent river where the water was swift and the rocks were slippery, and you couldn’t see where the deep holes were, you understand that is how recovery can be from an illness, or a financial disaster, or a broken relationship. At any moment you are apt to be swept off your feet and carried downstream-or you stumble, uncertain of your footing. That’s the way it often is, getting through your trial.


Then Isaiah mentioned the turbulence of your trial. The rivers won’t drown you. The word is plural. It means there will be more than a few challenges before you knock on heaven’s door; but paraphrasing what he said, “You’re going to make it.” As a friend says, “You may not look like much when you get there, but you’re gonna make it.”


Finally, he speaks of the intensity of your trial—you will go through the fire but you won’t be burned.  Good news!  Why? Because of what God has promised. Like what? Today’s commentary gives me only time to mention six great promises or reasons for rejoicing in the time of trials. You will find them all in Isaiah 43 of your Old Testament.


First God says, “I will be with you.” It matters little what you face when you know He is alongside to guide, comfort, and sustain.

“The river will not drown you,” He says.

“You will not be burned.” Remember the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace? The God who delivered them will take you through your trial as well.

God says, “You are precious in my sight.” Think about that for a moment. What makes something precious? Diamonds are said to be precious stones, but something that is precious usually comes with an emotional attachment. What may be precious to someone else may be junk to you. This means God cares about you.

God says, “You are honored.” That’s what grace is about—what God does for you that you don’t deserve.

Finally God said, “I love you!” Wow! That’s the entire message of the New Testament in three words. “I…love…you!” “No” you say, “not me!”  While you may not understand why—I don’t—that’s the positive statement of this book. It’s why God sent His Son to provide a way of forgiveness and cleansing and hope. It’s the best news this side of heaven.


Scripture reading: Isaiah 43:1-13


https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/where-is-god-in-your-trials/

House declares work suspension until Wednesday

By Filane Mikee Cervantes


The House of Representatives has declared work suspension until Wednesday amid the upsurge of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases in the country, particularly in the National Capital Region.


In a memorandum issued on Monday, House Secretary General Mark Mendoza said some offices, however, shall observe a rotating skeleton workforce during the said suspension to ensure continuity of basic services.


These include the Office of the Secretary General, Office of the Sergeant at Arms – Legislative Security Bureau, Finance Department, and the Engineering Department.


Plenary sessions will resume on Thursday at 9 a.m.


Speaker Lord Allan Velasco has urged public to follow the advice of health authorities to stay at home as the Philippines recorded skyrocketing spikes in cases in the last few days.


Velasco said people should avoid non-essential travel and strictly observe health protocols even in their own homes.


“With new Covid-19 cases reaching record highs, we must at all times heed the stay-at-home advice of our health authorities. This way, we are not only helping curb the spread of the virus but more importantly we are saving lives,” Velasco said.


Velasco lamented that one year into the pandemic, medical front-liners remain under enormous pressure to save lives and curb the spread of Covid-19 while many seemed to have dropped their guard in the fight against the deadly disease.


“Our health care workers are exhausted and our healthcare systems will be again overwhelmed if we continue to sidestep health and safety protocols, individually and collectively. We must never let our guard down,” Velasco said.


In its 4 p.m. case bulletin on Monday, the Department of Health (DOH) reported 8,019 new confirmed Covid-19 cases and four new deaths.


These figures brought the overall tally of active cases to 80,970 and the death toll to 12,972.


Meanwhile, the country's total number of recoveries from Covid 19 is now at 577,850, as 103 more patients beat the disease.


https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1134517

PH hospitals seek 'reinforcement' as COVID-19 cases surge

 (UPDATE) - A group of hospitals on Monday sought "reinforcement" from government as medical facilities in Metro Manila have been overwhelmed by a surge in COVID-19 cases.


Hospitals in Metro Manila are projected to reach full capacity by Holy Week if the government fails to slow down COVID-19 transmission, independent research group OCTA earlier said.


Jaime Almora, president of the Philippine Hospital Association, said several big hospitals are at a "critical" level with more than 70 percent of their COVID-19 beds utilized.


Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, in a separate Teleradyo interview, said doctors and health experts asked for a "timeout" for 2 weeks.


"Hindi ho timeout ang solusyon po, reinforcement po," Almora told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo. "We are requesting na reinforcement sana manggaling sa agencies na health-related po."


(Timeout is not the solution. We are requesting for reinforcement from health-related agencies.)


"Pagod na po ang mga nurses. Kulang na kulang po ang nurses. Ang reinforcement manggagaling sa ibang agency, military atsaka pulis kasi karamihan sa mga nurses namin nasa kanila na kasi malaki ang suweldo doon."


(Nurses are tired and their numbers are not enough. The reinforcement will come from the military and police because most of our nurses are now employed with them due to bigger salary.)


A year into the pandemic, nurses have yet to receive their COVID-19 benefits, said Jaymee de Guzman, national treasurer of Filipino Nurses United.


"'Yung benefits sa healthworkers wala pa ring natatanggap. Pahirapan po 'yan kahit na magpositive ka, Ang dami nilang hinihingi to the point na ayaw mo na lang magclaim," she told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.


(Healthworkers have yet to receive their benefits, even if you test positive, they have so many requirements to the point you don't want to claim it.)


"Sa tagal hindi pa rin natin na-perfect 'yung tamang proseso. 'Yung contact tracing di pa rin maalawak, 'yung mass testing sa posibleng pasyente hindi pa rin accessible sa ordinaryong tao. Wala tayong karagdang quarantine facilities."


(It's been a long time and we've yet to eprfect teh right process. Contact tracing is still not expansive, mass testing is not accessible to the ordinary people, we have no additional quarantine facilities.)


The Department of Health is "open" to augmenting the staff of hospitals nationwide, said treatment czar Leopoldo Vega.


""As of now, I think we’re still maintaining 12,000 augmented health workers across the country. If there is a gap, a need...then the DOH is open in terms of augmentation, of emergency hiring," he told ANC.


Meantime, COVID-19 patients who are from the provinces are urged to go to their local hospitals as local cases are filling up Metro Manila's medical facilities, Almora said.


The COVID-19 bed capacity of Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center is full, according to its medical director Imelda Mateo.


The hospital has 70 coronavirus patients, with 8 more awaiting admission and 18 others waiting for their test results, according to Mateo.


"Compared sa last year parang mas mataas pa rin ngayon. As of last night, puno na po ang aming COVID beds," she told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.


(Compared last year, it seems high. As of last night, our COVID bed capacity is full.)


https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/22/21/ph-hospitals-seek-reinforcement-as-covid-19-cases-surge

Isolated rains to prevail over most of PH Monday

By Ma. Cristina Arayata


Most parts of the country will experience isolated rain showers, the weather bureau said on Monday.


In its daily forecast, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the northeast monsoon (amihan) will bring light rains over Batanes and Babuyan Islands.


The tail-end of frontal system will bring scattered rain showers and thunderstorm over the rest of Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region and Aurora province.


Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have isolated rain showers or thunderstorms caused by the easterlies.


Meanwhile, moderate to strong winds and moderate to rough seas will prevail over northern Luzon.


Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate with slight to moderate seas, PAGASA said.


https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1134400

AFP monitors Chinese incursion off Juan Felipe Reef

 By Priam Nepomuceno


The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) continues to monitor the situation off Julian Felipe Reef (Union Reef) in the West Philippine Sea which is within the country's exclusive economic zone, due to the presence of Chinese militia boats, its chief said Sunday night.


"The reef is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone therefore we oppose any move of encroachment in this sovereign territory," AFP chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said in a statement.


He said the military continues to monitor the situation "in abidance to international laws and the preservation of the status quo in the West Philippine Sea", adding that their priority is the protection of Filipino citizens, especially fishermen in the area, through increased maritime patrols.


He said the AFP would continue to pursue a "peaceful, principled, and rules-based approach" in resolving issues in the West Philippine Sea.


"We will defer to the decision of the Department of National Defense and Department of Foreign Affairs regarding the matter," Sobejana said.


Following the latest incursion, the Philippines filed a diplomatic protest against China, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said Sunday night.


“Diplomatic protest fired off tonight; can’t wait for first light,” Locsin said in a tweet. 


“So recommended by General Esperon this noon by Whats App. I got the coordinates, so to speak. And relayed to my legal artillery, ‘Fire at will.’ Shell should be flying at first light. I don’t usually announce maneuvers but it seems everybody is baring his chest,” he added in another tweet.


Earlier, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF WPS) expressed concern about a Philippine Coast Guard report that around 220 Chinese fishing vessels, believed to be manned by Chinese maritime militia personnel, were sighted moored in line formation at the Julian Felipe Reef on March 7.


“The NTF WPS notes this circumstance as a concern due to the possible overfishing and destruction of the marine environment, as well as risks to the safety of navigation,” the NTF WPS said.


The reef is a large boomerang-shaped shallow coral reef at the northeast of Pagkakaisa Banks and Reefs (Union Reefs), located approximately 175 nautical miles west of Bataraza, Palawan.


https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1134395

Essential workers maaaring bumiyahe papasok, palabas ng Metro Manila, karatig lugar

Essential workers lamang ang maaaring bumiyahe papasok at palabas ng Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, at Rizal na isinailalim sa general community quarantine simula Lunes.


Simula na rin ang pagpapatupad ng curfew mula 10 p.m. hanggang 5 a.m. sa mga nasabing lugar, ani Interior Undersecretary Bernardo Florece.


"Walang problema 'yun within the bubble area hindi natin pinagbabawal ang movement ng tao, meron pa ring public transport," aniya sa Teleradyo.


"Palabas o papasok sa area na ito ay pinagbabawal natin unless authorized sila."


Isinailalim sa GCQ na may karagdagang paghihigpit ang mga nasabing lugar dahil sa patuloy na pagtaas ng bilang ng COVID-19 cases.


https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/03/22/21/essential-workers-maaaring-bumiyahe-papasok-palabas-ng-metro-manila-karatig-lugar