How Can I Find Hope in Hard Times?
In your hopelessness, remember who God is.
God’s character reveals that He loves and cares for you. No matter what you are going through, you can always count on Him. You can receive hope and strength from your Heavenly Father when you surrender all your worries to Him and humble yourself under His mighty power.
If you feel hopeless and weak, remember that God is with you. It is important that we never forget this truth.
Let me encourage you with this Psalm from King David, “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4 NLT)
What a powerful thing to know that even when we go through the darkest moment of our lives, God is with us, and we can rely on Him! Isn’t it comforting to know that no matter what trouble we are facing, God won’t forget us?
So, don’t be afraid! Don’t despair. The Lord God is protecting you in your hopeless situations. In fact, there is no such thing as “hopeless” when God is involved in your life! He can always turn things around, do miracles, and breathe life into bleak circumstances.
Only God can give us a sure hope. My friend, when all seems hopeless, hope in the Lord! Call unto Him and keep the faith! It is by His mercy that we find increased hope not just in this life, but also, in the eternal life.
Blessings beyond measure,
PETER M. KAIRUZ President and CEO
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Healed and Restored
through the Power of Prayer
“It was the most painful thing I ever experienced. I couldn’t take it any longer, I wanted to give up.” That is how Salve Mendoza described the excruciating stomach pain she felt one night. When they rushed to the hospital, the doctors found out that she has a huge, stage 3B cancerous cyst in her colon. Intense fear gripped her after hearing the word cancer, “I was so scared. I felt like I was at the brink of death.”
Salve’s anguish lasted until one night, she chanced upon The 700 Club Asia, right when the hosts were praying for someone who also has cancer. She prayed that if God could miraculously heal others, He could heal her, too.
Right after that prayer, Salve felt the instant relief and peace that overflowed in her heart. She mustered the courage to undergo surgery and was advised by her doctor to undergo another colonoscopy to monitor if the cyst will recur. She reached out to CBN Asia Prayer Center through Facebook and continued praying with them unceasingly, “Before I went for colonoscopy, I asked them to pray for me. I felt that I was not alone.” Salve chose to trust God—she is not giving up on her miracle.
To her doctor’s surprise, no cysts formed, and she didn’t have to undergo chemotherapy! Body mended and faith strengthened, Salve discovered that nothing is impossible for those who believe in the healing power of Jesus. Now, she is ready to live out the purpose God has for her.
“I thank God because He healed me. I couldn’t describe the immense joy I felt when He moved in my life. It was a reminder that life is short, let’s not waste it,” Salve shared.
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the God of Breakthroughs
Are you praying for financial breakthrough? God is ready to bless you! Now the real question lingers: Why are you praying for financial breakthrough?
Jing Ramirez found her answer to that question when her husband Dan committed to support missionaries even in lack, “There was a call for giving for overseas missions but that time, we didn’t have any money. The only thing that was left to my husband’s name was his beloved motorcycle. He donated it to the church.”
This bold faith gesture encouraged their whole church to start supporting missionaries, and inspired Jing to have a heart for missions too.
However, their generosity was put to test when their business went bankrupt. Left with nothing but faith that God won’t forsake them, their family went home to Bacolod to start a new life. Despite financial problems, they continued supporting their brothers in sisters in the mission field.
Jing’s budding love for the ministry grew deeper when she attended the Missionary Training Program of the Asian Center for Missions (ACM)— CBN Asia’s missionary training arm. Hearing the stories and struggles of missionaries tugs a string in her heart and inspired her to give, “The Lord put an amount in my heart. It was way beyond our means, so I prayed about it. He confirmed that I should give that amount.”
Though the couple didn’t ask for anything in return, God honored their faithfulness. Their giving journey started with a single motorcycle, and now, God blessed them with a motor apparel store in Bacolod. Their business venture is success defined, as it became the main supplier of motor and bike apparel in and out of the country!
Even though Dan passed away, Jing continues their legacy of giving to missionaries— knowing full well that every peso she gives goes toward a cause that is important to God, “There’s a bigger mission field outside! If we do not give, how would people know about the Lord? I am glad that there’s ACM whom we can trust. They bring help to where it is needed most.”
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Blessed by
Always Available for You
Overwhelmed by your current situation?
Hang in there. You might be in a rough place right now, but God can help you—just like how He helped Angela Villamar.
Angela’s heart broke when she saw her children starving. They deserve a better life, but her husband couldn’t find a job. Desperate to survive, she saw drug dealing as the quick fix to her problems, “I knew it was dangerous. I knew my life was at risk but the only thing that I could think of was how I would support my children.”
Thankfully, God intervened and provided an opportunity for her to break free from the shackles of destruction. One of Angela’s daughters took her to Japan and asked for her help in taking care of her grandchild. It’s when her daughter encouraged her to watch The 700 Club Asia. Witnessing stories of transformed lives, she wondered if God could help her, too.
“If God changed the lives of other people, He could do the same for me. So I prayed, ‘Lord, forgive me. I’ve made mistakes,’” Angela reminisced.
It was the start of a brand-new life. However, it wasn’t an easy journey as she was falsely accused of fraud when she ventured into a new business in the Philippines. Angela surrendered her situation to the One who is in control of everything: God. She also sought prayers from the CBN Asia Prayer Center, “I sent a prayer request about my case. They responded and encouraged me to surrender my worries to God and He will take care of it.”
Experiencing God’s comfort through the ministry, Angela decided to give. Money used to be a problem but now, she sees it as a tool for helping others.
Unceasingly—that’s how Angela prayed as she faced the five counts of fraud filed against her. On the last day of the hearing, her miracle came, “I stood up when the judge called my name. I couldn’t hear nor understand what he was saying, I was just praying. Then I heard the word ‘acquitted.’ It was as if God whispered to me, saying He’s giving me another chance to change my life.”
Overwhelmed by the forgiveness and freedom she received, Angela couldn’t help but praise God for His unconditional love, “God will provide everything we need. I thank Him for He’s been so good to me. I’ll never forget how He changed me and how He pulled me out of my past life.”
God’s Help is
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CBN Asia Partners,
You Help Your Kababayans Build Back Better!
From typhoons to pandemic, no crisis stopped you from sharing God’s love to typhoon-affected families, reaching people in need, and bringing healthcare closer to communities!
Better days for Norma
For many families who experienced the rage of Typhoon Odette, surviving was a miracle. Months after the tragedy, Norma Bulilan still vividly recalls the shock and hopelessness she felt when she saw the ruins of their home.
The 49-year-old mother is just one of the many residents in the coastal community of Panaytayon, Bohol, who lost their home and livelihood during the typhoon’s onslaught, “The next day, I left the evacuation site and went back to check our home. Seeing that our house was destroyed, I cried, ‘My God, what are we going to do now?‘” Just like her neighbors, Norma struggled to find hope and ways to survive each day.
Thankfully, your prayers and donation to Operation Blessing helped Norma find hope again. Through the ministry’s #OneStepAhead program, Norma and hundreds of families in Bohol received food bags, hygiene kits, and clean drinking water. The survivors also received prayers and heard the message of hope that one day, with the help of God, they can all get back on their feet.
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Better health for Princess
Your kababayans in Community of Hope in Tacloban received free medical, dental, and optical services—made more efficient with Operation Blessing’s state-of-the-art mobile clinic. Nilza Aresgaldo is one of the happiest COH residents during the Medical Mission as she was able to have her daughter Princess Ann checked up by a volunteer doctor. According to Nilza, Princess had an ear discharge once, but she got her alarmed later on when it became too frequent, “I was clueless of what was happening. I was not able to have her checked since we don’t have enough money.”
That is why it was a huge relief for their family when Princess received free medical checkup and medicines to treat her ear infection. “Thank you very much for coming here, Operation Blessing!” Nilza said.
Better home for Nanay Patricia
Residents in the remote towns of Tabango, Leyte are used to living in the dark. Many homes still have no access to electricity, and one of them is the home of 62-year-old Patricia Olinares.
Nanay Patricia shared that she and her husband had no access to electricity since they were born, and would merely depend on gas lamps for their day-to-day activities. Through your compassion and the support of Heaven’s Heart, they found a light of hope. Nanay Patricia and her neighbors received free solar lights that can make them more comfortable in their homes during nighttime, “It is very difficult without electricity. So, thank you so much for donating solar lights. You also saved us from spending Php 140 a month for a one-liter gas. This is a huge help to us,” she said.
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Nothing Can Stop God from Blessing You
It’s easy to be grateful when things are going well. But like many, Rebecca Solis also struggled to find hope amid hard times.
Rebecca’s life turned upside down when her husband died in 2016. As a widow with zero experience in managing a direct selling business, she had to close it down. Just when she thought it’s their lowest point, life delivered another blow. One month after her husband died, her son got involved in a car accident. Grief. Financial lack. Growing bank debts. The widow tried to stay strong amid all the grief and troubles. She tried to sell their house so their family can survive, but when she did not see any hope, she eventually reached breaking point.
Little did Rebecca know, God will comfort her weary heart through a show, “I watched The 700 Club Asia and saw the hosts praying, ‘God is opening doors that have been closed for your life for so long. I am commanding the blessing to come to you! Receive it now.’”
Startled yet amazed by what she heard, Rebecca exclaimed, “That’s me! God was talking to me. I claimed that prayer because I know it was for me!” That night, she surrendered everything to Jesus Christ and believed that nothing can stop God from blessing her.
God surprised Rebecca. Just two months after that prayer, their property was sold—allowing them to settle all their debts and start anew. Until now, Rebecca is in awe of how God opened doors of opportunities for their family.
“Nothing and no one can stop God from giving what He wants for us. That’s how much He loves us,” Rebecca said, who started serving God’s ministry as a discipleship leader—passionately sharing God’s saving love to other and blessing those who are in need. “Millions worth of money cannot buy the peace and joy that I experience now.”
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God’s Love through Superbook
Six-year-old Levi couldn’t contain his excitement as he stepped foot on Robinson’s Metro East. Finally, he will meet Gizmo and the Superbook team!
His mom Frances shared that Levi loves watching Superbook as part of their Saturday routine. Apart from the amazing animation and funny quips from Gizmo, Chris, and Joy, Levi enjoys learning Bible stories and godly values every weekend.
So, when Gizmo and the Super Crew appeared, the whole crowd cheered. Levi and the other kids got on their feet to dance, sing, and play exciting games and activities. They also watched their favorite Superbook episodes packed with timeless truths about God and His Word.
“I love watching Superbook, especially the David and Goliath episode because I always remember how God protected David from Goliath,” Levi, a certified Batang Superbook shared.
To Frances, it’s good for parents to encourage their children to watch Superbook as it is fun, relatable, and helps the kids learn about Jesus. She’s glad that it’s part of their weekend family bonding, “I am happy that through Superbook, they get to know who Jesus is and how He worked in the lives of the people in the Bible. I pray that the kids will always remember the lessons as they grow older.”
Discovering
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What are You
Praying For?
If you are praying for financial provision, you can trust that God can act on your behalf—just like how she rescued Hazel Tayao from financial distress. Selling boiled peanuts under the scorching heat of the sun—that’s how Hazel and her husband supported their four children. Struggling to make ends meet, they were used to receiving leftover foods from other people—sometimes, almost-spoiled food. This made Hazel promise that when the time comes that she would be able to help others, she would never make them feel low.
Through hard work, she and her husband reaped the fruits of their labor. They were able to move to a decent home, have regular jobs, and start a small retail store. But then, the pandemic happened. Anxiety crippled Hazel as their resources started to dwindle. Until one night, she chanced upon The 700 Club Asia on Facebook. In her time of need, she took the opportunity to help others by donating Facebook Stars.
“Knowing that my donation reaches far places, it’s very fulfilling. Even if it’s just a small amount, it still feels overwhelming because God uses us in reaching out to our kababayans in need.”
Hazel prayed to be blessed and to be a blessing—and God did not disappoint her. She started getting clients while their store started making profits again. She has seen that God’s plan is not only to help her settle her financial problems but also make her a channel of blessing, for her to experience God’s power to multiply. “I thank God for helping me fulfill my desire to give!”
You too, can be a blessing to others. Visit www.cbnasia.net/give to know how you can partner with us!
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3 Tips to
Break Free from Worry
How are you feeling today?
If the sudden rise of COVID-19 cases has brought you anxious thoughts and excessive worrying, you might be wondering how to overcome.
This is your reminder that you can break free from worry! Here are three simple tips to help you keep those anxious thoughts at bay:
1. Identify your worries
One helpful technique to overcome anxious thoughts is to acknowledge your worries. Ask yourself, “What worries me the most?” Is it financial worries brought by the pandemic? Is it physical health, emotional, relational, or spiritual?
If you can identify the source of your worry and anxiety, then you can start addressing it.
2. Take control of your thought life
Many people have struggled with anxiety, but now even more. Thankfully, you have the power to defend yourself from these negative thoughts.
Luke 21:14 encourages you that you have the power to “make up your mind not to worry.” It means you have a choice to center your mind on negative thoughts, or center your thoughts on God and His promises. He can free you from anxiety and worry, but first, you must believe it and take hold of it.
3. Improve your prayer life
Whenever you are worried about anything, pray. Pass that weight to Jesus and receive His peace that surpasses all understanding.
Likewise, help eliminate your worry by relying on the Word of God to help you concentrate on the comfort that the Lord brings. It would be helpful to stick to your prayer times, read your Bible, and find comfort by reading devotionals about COVID-19 and the pandemic.
Break free from worry with the help of God’s Word! Find courage, joy, and comfort through CBN Asia’s FREE 14-Day Devotional for COVID-19. Download the devotional today and discover how you can deal with worry, fear, and grief brought by the pandemic—and how you can find hope and everlasting peace.
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