Typhoon Ramil requires us to read and obey God’s Word

“STOP GAP” PRAYERS NO LONGER EFFECTIVE IN PREVENTING CALAMITIES: Rains and floodwaters and strong winds seem to be scourges of modern man everywhere these days, and the Philippines in particular appears to be carrying the brunt of the destruction brought about by them, especially in the light of the fast-approaching Super Typhoon Ramil (international name: Lupit).

And, it would seem “stop-gap” prayers (or prayers offered when there is a perceived danger coming) are no longer effective in invoking God’s will to spare our countrymen from further harm.

What is needed now is a complete and total overhaul of ourselves: we must go back to God, sincerely, truthfully and honestly, by reading and living the Bible (for Christians) and the Koran and other Holy Books (for Muslims and other believers), for it is clear that man has incurred God’s wrath by our godlessness and are being punished for it.

Surely, we can not turn to God in our hour of need and desperation, and then forget Him again when everything becomes alright once more, as if God is a robot that can be turned “on” and “off” as we please.

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GOD’S MESSAGES ABOUT MAN’S DESTRUCTION THE SAME THROUGOUT THE AGES: Many are contesting my view that these rains, floodwaters and strong winds are curses being sent by God to us, saying that God is a loving and caring God and that He is not going to be the source of anything that would destroy us.

I respect those contrary opinions, but then, let me make it clear that, when I say God is sending curses and rebuke, this time through rains, floods and strong winds, to people who no longer listen to His Word and no longer obey Him, it is not me talking.

I am merely quoting passages from the Christian Bible, and I am not even interpreting anything. I am just lifting the chapter and the verse verbatim, and allow our people to read those passages from God themselves.

I invite everyone whose views differ with mine to read the Bible, and you will see what I mean. In particular, please read Deuteronomy 28:15 to 68, and Matthew 7:24-27. You will be surprised to find that the messages of God the Father and the Son are verbatimly the same throughout all the ages.

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OBEDIENCE TO THE WORD OF GOD IS NECESSARY: Some are also saying that while they agree that people should pray, that should not be all there is to it, that something else must be done. Of course, I couldn’t agree more and, in the first place, I did not say that simple praying is enough.

There is something else that should be done, and the Biblical passages I am referring to here---Deuteronomy 28:15-68 and Matthew 7:24-27---are quite clear on this.

Aside from praying, we must insist on “listening” to the Word of God, and then “doing” or “living” or “obeying” whatever it is that we read from the Bible, making them the very basis for whatever we think, say or do.

Both the Books of Deuteronomy and Matthew impose these two requirements---listening and then obeying---to enable us to enjoy God’s blessings and avoid His curses. There is simply no other way for us, and the sooner we understand this, the better it will be for all of us.

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CARRYING OF THE CROSS: All of Christendom are aware that before Jesus was crucified, His tormentors greatly increased His suffering by compelling Him to carry the cross with which He will be crucified.

This part of Jesus’ life is called “Carrying of the Cross” and it is now the fourth mystery in the “Sorrowful Mysteries” of the Holy Rosary of Roman Catholic Christians. An account of it could be found in all the Gospels: Matthew 27:31-35, Mark 15:20-22, Luke 23:28-31 and John19:17.

Again, the rendering of the event by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John is relatively short and direct to the point.

What one sees is merely the act of the soldiers leading Jesus away from Pilate, ordering Him to carry the cross, and, along the way, compelling Simon from Cyrene to carry the cross, too.

In Luke, however, one notices the fact that while Jesus was carrying the cross, there were “a large number of people” following Him, including women who mourned and wailed for Him.

When Jesus saw the mourners, He told them not to mourn for Him but that they should mourn for themselves instead, for a time was coming to them when they will wish that they were not born at all, in view of the grievousness of their sin against Him.

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