Why Do I Constantly Experience Setbacks?

Have you ever wondered why it feels like your life is always a series of crises and difficulties?

Lerma Gabane had.


The feeling was so strong that the question was engraved in her mind.

As a mom, caring for a growing family and managing a household is already challenging and exhausting.

For Lerma, thinking about their financial needs has also been a heavy burden, as her partner’s weekly earnings of Php 500 could never meet their daily necessities.


This struggle is shared by many families who face the difficulties of living without a stable and sufficient income.

If you find yourself in Lerma’s shoes, hold on and let her story help you discover how you can unlock God’s blessings for your life.

Faced with overwhelming challenges, she questioned why her life wasn’t improving despite her earnest efforts to bring about change.

“Lord, You said You love me, so why is it still like this? I’ve accepted You, thinking I would be lifted from hardship. What more is hindering me?” she would pray.

Do Lerma’s thoughts resonate with you?

Do you wonder why you are still suffering even after inviting Jesus into your life?

While there are various reasons why people suffer in life, Lerma discovered hers when one sleepless night she stumbled upon The 700 Club Asia and heard Peter Kairuz’s prayer.

As she joined the prayer, she was convicted when the host spoke about someone who was living a sinful lifestyle.

The Lord opened her eyes to realize that her setbacks were due to her sinful lifestyle—cohabiting with someone as her spouse outside the context of marriage.

You might be wondering how it became sinful when almost everyone does it today. However, the Word of God is clear on this matter.

As Hebrews 13:4 (NLT) says, “Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.

The Lord, the Author of marriage—not the patterns of the world nor the societal norms—holds the authority to define what is acceptable, moral, and righteous.

Upon realizing her position before the Lord, Lerma aspired to prioritize pleasing and obeying God.

After 11 years, she and her partner finally tied the knot, sealing their union under the blessing of marriage.

From that point onward, the Lord began to pour out His favor and blessings upon her and her household.

Her husband, who used to work as a contractual laborer, has finally secured regular employment. He earns more than triple his previous weekly income.

Before, they had to search for different apartments because they couldn’t settle the rental fee. Now, they are enjoying the comfort and peace of having their own home.

Additionally, their children have become responsible and compassionate, assisting them now that they have jobs of their own.

“I am super blessed. Just follow God. Hold onto His promises, and you will surely succeed in every aspect of life,” Lerma happily shared.

Truly, those who obey God will enjoy a harvest of blessings!

There may be hardships but the Lord is the One who will sustain, strengthen, and save everyone who chooses to obey Him.

“Thanks to the Lord, thanks to The 700 Club Asia. I truly gained lessons. The difficulties I’ve been through, it turns out, will strengthen me,” Lerma stated.

“How joyful are those who fear the Lord—all who follow his ways! You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be (Psalm 128:1-2, NLT).”

Do you also want to enjoy life with the blessings God has for you?

Choose to seek and follow Him! The key to unlocking God’s blessings is through obedience.

Following God’s will may seem daunting, but as you deepen your understanding of God, you will come to love obeying His commands.

On the other hand, disobedience brings curses, unnecessary heartbreaks, and troubles. When we neglect God’s commands, we are blocking the flow of blessings into our lives.

If today, you feel like nothing good is happening in your life—no growth, progress, or change—perhaps the Lord wants to address something in your heart.

We are here to help you lift your concerns and struggles to the Lord! The CBN Asia Prayer Center is available 24/7 to pray for you and with you.

Experience joy, regardless of the circumstances you face, as you deepen your relationship with the Lord.

If you would like to witness more stories of hope, transformation, miracle, and healing, you can watch The 700 Club Asia’s featured stories anytime, anywhere.

And if the Lord is prompting you to partner with us as we bring His love, joy, and hope to many other families and communities who are yet to hear and experience the Lord, we encourage you to partner with us!

Thank you so much for supporting our ministry! May God’s love and truth richly dwell in you, and may He grant you the desires of your heart and make all your plans succeed (Psalm 20:4).

Your Suffering is Not for Nothing

How can good come out of something that’s bad?

How can the trials that you face today – the sickness that has rendered you jobless, the dysfunctional relationships that have given you trauma, or the job-induced anxiety that has kept you awake every night – be something that you’d be grateful for tomorrow?

Let the story of Marilyn Teodoro encourage you that every pain you endure has a purpose; that what the enemy meant for evil, God truly meant for good.

Marilyn was no stranger to suffering. At a young age, she witnessed the separation of her parents. While it was something she learned to accept and live with, it was something that scared her.

This gave birth to the fear that if she got married, she would also have a broken marriage.

This fear became a painful reality as she endured physical abuse from the husband she unconditionally loved. She fought for that marriage to work at the expense of being a battered wife. (fmcg-viet.com)

Marilyn eventually mustered the strength to walk away from the destructive marriage, a decision that marked a turning point in her life.

We all have suffered in one way or another. And when you’re in the middle of the trial, it can be difficult to believe that God has a good purpose for it.

But believe it when God says through Scripture that suffering is never for nothing.

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” (James 1:2-4 NLT)

The suffering that Marilyn despised was the very place God used to introduce Himself as her personal Savior.

Coming out of that abusive relationship, Marilyn found her way to a church where she came to know Jesus and the community which encouraged her to watch The 700 Club Asia.

With everything that she’s been through, The 700 Club Asia and her community have helped her find the deeper purpose of her suffering. She realized that faith and prayer are the cornerstone of a joyful life.

Knowing this, she called CBN Asia Prayer Center and opened up about her greatest desire – that God would reconcile her broken family.

A year later, Marilyn received news about his father, who was suffering from lymphoma. While this was heartbreaking news, God used this situation to bring the family together and reconcile her parents.

Marilyn shares, “I was surprised because my mom held my dad’s hand and said that she sought forgiveness and hoped for his healing. My dad was moved to tears.”

God has answered her prayer for a happy home, a heart free from hatred, and the grace to forgive the person who abused her.

Her heart overflows with gratitude for the Lord and this has compelled her to give and support CBN Asia.

Truly, God is faithful to His promises in His Word.

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” (Genesis 50:20 ESV)

All that Marilyn went through was a prequel to the beautiful plans and purpose God fulfilled: her finding God as her friend and Savior and the joyful home God always wanted her to have.


Truly, no suffering is for nothing.

If you want to see God’s purpose for your suffering and receive His help, all you must do is to believe, accept, and declare that He is Lord and Savior. Accept the eternal life He freely gives.

Are you suffering and need to be prayed for? Just call us at 8-737-0-700 if you’re in Metro Manila. If you’re outside Metro Manila or the Philippines, send us your prayer requests here.

God is a God of Second Chances

Jessamine Anievas’ story is here to prove that.

Before she received a second chance from God, her life was a mess, and she felt the same way about herself, too.

She knew who Jesus is but had no personal relationship with Him. She felt He is too good to be true, and she was too wretched to be saved.

Everything changed when her husband, Rio, was jailed due to drugs.

Confused, devastated, angry, and lost, Jessamine didn’t know how to raise their child alone, especially since she didn’t have a job.

If you were in her shoes, what would you do?

Jessamine couldn’t do anything because she was crippled by all her problems coming at once.

But God did something.

She chanced upon one of the episodes of The 700 Club Asia and was surprised to hear that most of the testimonies reflected her story!

Like a beacon of light in the darkest of times, The 700 Club Asia sparked hope in Jessamine to believe again—to believe that God is the God of second chances, and it’s not too late for them.

“I found hope that our family would be complete again,” she recalled.

Jessamine gave her life to Jesus. She accepted Him as her Lord and Savior, and she was never the same.

She wanted the same thing to happen to her husband, but little did she know, God has already met Rio where he was—inside his prison cell.

While in prison, Rio repented and called on God day and night, asking for strength.

Pastors visited Rio and his cellmates to preach and to read the Bible for them. That was when he realized how great God’s grace was—enough for Him to give Rio a second chance at life.

Who would have thought that all this happened 5 years ago?

Now, Jessamine and Rio serve at a local church, where they grow spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and even financially. Rio is currently working as a driver, while Jessamine has a work-from-home job.

It’s inspiring to see that God can use one episode to give someone a second chance.

In these dark times, would you want to be a beacon of hope and also give a second chance to those in need? Partner with us now!

God is Not Yet Done with Your Story

Are you facing multiple problems right now?

Are you overwhelmed with heartbreaks that you have no idea how to solve?

Doreen Gonzales felt the same when she found out that her mom was sick and her dad was having an affair.

Doreen shared a close bond with her mother, Yolanda. She was amazed with her mother’s faith after she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior.

They both loved watching The 700 Club Asia and as time passed by, they showed character growth and grew closer to God.

As Doreen was transformed by God, her faith was challenged. She discovered her father’s affair and her mother’s cancer.

“I saw my father’s photos with his girlfriend and it hurt me to see my mom getting balder and thinner,” she recalled.

This filled her with so much hatred and so many questions.

Life went on, but it was never easy.

After completing her nursing degree, Doreen entered a relationship. Despite the love they felt at first, her boyfriend married someone else.

He married someone from another country to obtain citizenship. Doreen chose to end the relationship, but the guy insisted.

He was willing to give her what she wanted, so Doreen tried his sincerity by asking for a house and lot.

When the man’s legal family found out, they filed a case against Doreen. She was helpless as all her problems piled up but there was no solution in sight.

Doreen remembered The 700 Club Asia and reached out to the CBN Asia Prayer Center. She pleaded for prayer support.

With the ongoing legal battles instigated by her ex-boyfriend’s family, Doreen didn’t expect that she would meet her future husband. Her prayers were answered as the court dismissed the case.

Doreen experienced God’s faithfulness in her career, too. During her last board exam, she prayed to pass, even with a modest score of 75.6.

To her surprise, God exceeded her expectations—she passed the exam with flying colors! She considered CBN Asia Prayer Center as her vital support in prayer.

Now, Doreen and her husband actively serve the Lord. She also decided to forgive her father.

“There is really a God that changes a person’s life,” she shared.

Let Doreen’s life remind you that every situation is designed to teach you perseverance, and faith in God’s plans. With faith, hope, and prayer, you can overcome even the most challenging circumstances.

You can find joy in the midst of it all.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4 NIV)

Do you want to be a blessing to people like Doreen? By supporting CBN Asia, you help produce life-changing shows like The 700 Club Asia. Become a partner by clicking this link or going to cbnasia.org/give.

God Has Something Bigger Prepared for You

Have you ever found yourself thinking that you had your life all planned out for the future?

Little did you know, God has something bigger prepared for you.

Just like how he surprised Alejandro Duarte.

After working as a driver for a hardware store while studying an Automotive course, Alejandro became a car technician in a well-known car company. He was able to provide for his family’s needs and save for himself.

In search of a better life, Alejandro decided to leave his job and join a networking business. However, he found himself slowly losing his savings and he knew that his decision was not right at that time.

After getting married, he decided to go back to his previous employer and work again as a car technician to support his family.

“When I got home one night, my wife asked if I already had my salary because we only had a Php 100 budget left for our needs. Right then, I knew that my salary was not enough for our family,” Alejandro recalled.

But this situation did not hinder Alejandro from helping and giving to CBN Asia. While he was watching its program, The 700 Club Asia, with his wife, he was so inspired by the stories of hope and faith, that he also encouraged his wife to give to the Lord’s ministry.

Even in their lack, Alejandro was eager to donate and help those in need.

That’s when they experienced God’s faithfulness.

Just weeks after Alejandro and his wife gave a Php 500 donation, God blessed them with so much more than what they needed!

They now have a sari-sari store, a Siomai franchise, and a water-refilling station.

After experiencing God’s goodness, Alejandro decided to accept Jesus Christ in his heart as his Savior and allowed God to use him to bless many people.

Just like Alejandro, Your Heavenly Father has something bigger prepared for you, and He can use you to do greater things.

You can hold on to God’s promise found in Matthew 19:26, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

If God is touching your heart to become our partner in telling others about His goodness and love, visit cbnasia.org/give.

Do You Want to Help Create Change in Your Community?

Kyle De Asis does.

At the age of 13, Kyle volunteered to help children raise awareness on how to protect themselves from people who might abuse them.

He is one of the youngest child advocates of Child Sexual Abuse Prevention (CSAP).

Do you want to volunteer for a good cause, like Kyle?

It all started when the Talking Hands Foundation in support of Orphan’s Promise and Operation Blessing conducted an event about child abuse in their barangay court. Curious, Kyle joined the seminar.

From then on, Kyle decided to volunteer for CSAP seminars because they inspired him to help other children, too.

His mother, Myle De Asis, supported Kyle after seeing that he was doing it for a good cause and sharing with his siblings what he learned. Later, Myle also joined her son.

According to data, there are 7 million children who are sexually abused in the Philippines every year. Kyle saw what CSAP is doing to prevent abuse from happening to children.

Through music and comics, children learn how to say “No!” to their abuser and tell the authorities what happened to them.

“I want other kids to know what to do if someone is taking advantage of them,” Kyle said. “Even when I grow up, I still want to continue to volunteer for this cause.”

Whether you are young or old, you can always make a difference in the lives of others. Kyle did not let his age prevent him from doing something good. God can help you do the same, too.

The Bible encourages you to continue the good things that you are doing, no matter your age.

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12 NIV)

Like Kyle, do you want to make a difference in the lives of your kababayans? Partner with us today, go to cbnasia.org/give.

Ever Wondered How a Wheelchair Can Change Someone’s Life?

It’s amazing how a new set of wheels helped Maria Theresa and her son, Archie, move and continue with their lives.

Maria Theresa found herself desperate for help because of an issue with the wheelchair of her son, Archie. The wheels on Archie’s wheelchair had rust and it made movement and everyday tasks difficult for the both of them.

“I always carry Archie when he needs to go to the toilet or if he needs to take a bath,” Maria shares.

For 6 years, Maria had to take care of her son who has cerebral palsy. Though it’s hard, she pushes herself to sell dried fish and cook kakanin to provide for the both of them.

Although Maria dreams of buying Archie a new wheelchair, she is unable to do so because her income is just enough for their daily needs.

“I hope that Archie receives a new wheelchair. I hope someone can provide for us because he really needs it,” Maria says.

Have you ever found yourself desperately praying for something you badly needed, but it seemed like it was impossible to happen?

Maria was losing all hope. She didn’t know what to do.

During such moments, God moves, and He amazes those people who firmly believe in Him.

Hope came in the form of Operation Blessing.

With the help of the Capiz local government, Operation Blessing gave new wheelchairs to people with disabilities. They also received hygiene kits and Bibles.

One of the beneficiaries of these gifts was Archie.

Volunteers from Operation Blessing did not miss the chance to minister and pray for their beneficiaries, especially Maria and Archie.

“From the bottom of my heart, thank you to Operation Blessing. I may not know all of you, but I cannot express how grateful I am for what you have done,” Maria exclaims.

Through the generosity of CBN Asia and Operation Blessing donors, many communities, families, and individuals receive the help they need. It may seem simple but to others, but to the beneficiaries, it is life-changing.

The life of Archie was changed for the better because people chose to be a blessing.

“The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.” (Proverbs 11:25 MSG)

You can be a blessing to others, too!

Consider supporting Operation Blessing in their efforts to provide relief and help to those in need. To know more about the ministry and their heart to serve, check www.cbnasia.org. For your donations, visit www.cbnasia.org/give.

Have You Lost Hope That You Will Get Healed?

Jingie Ulgasan once had.

While working in Taiwan, Jingie faced Aplastic Anemia, a condition where the bone marrow doesn’t produce enough blood cells, leading to symptoms like fatigue, weakness, and vulnerability to infections or bleeding.

Since then, Jingie’s life revolved around frequent hospital visits, needing monthly platelet infusions. She spent a whole month confined to an isolated hospital room due to her condition, and the doctor suggested a potential need for a bone marrow transplant.

“I experienced dizziness and break out in rashes all over my body, with me ending up in the emergency room each time,” she shared.

This news made Jingie feel like there was no hope left.

Have you ever felt like this? Is there something in your life, like Jingie’s situation, that made you lose hope?

Amid this tough situation, God used a friend to spark hope within her. Her friend gave her a Bible, and as she read John 14:14, her hope was rekindled.

“John 14:14 says that God will answer our prayers. Right there and then, I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior, and desperately prayed for healing,” she shared.

Two days later, Jingie was miraculously discharged from the hospital! Eager to settle her medical bills, she went back to work.

Not long after, her faith was tested again. She got sick once more, her body was so weak that she couldn’t talk or walk. Jingie was inconsolable.

“I thought I was going die,” she lamented.

But once again, God stepped in. A friend of hers contacted CBN Asia’s Prayer Center so she could receive prayers.

“The prayer counselor asked me if I believe that Jesus will heal me; I said, ‘Yes.’ He also asked me to declare the name of Jesus. I tried standing up while shouting the name of Jesus, and I was able to stand up,” she shared.

After a powerful moment of prayer, Jingie was instantly healed! Not only that, when she visited her doctor, she learned that she no longer needed a transplant!

Jingie’s journey reminds us that in life’s challenges, God is there to help.

When things get tough, let’s turn to God in prayer because He listens. With God by our side, we’re never alone, and there’s always a way through even in the toughest days.

Upon returning to the Philippines, Jingie shared her story with her family, and as a result, all of them received Jesus!

Help more OFWs like Jingie by introducing them to the saving love of Jesus. By supporting CBN Asia, you help spread hope and faith to your kababayans.  

If you find yourself in need of prayers, our 24/7 Prayer Center is readily available to offer support and pray for you.

God Is Not Done With You Yet!

God loves you no matter where you came from, and what you have done.

 

And when you are facing a challenging situation, He will always make a way for you.

 

Shandelle Sarmiento is a living testimony to these truths. Here’s her inspiring story.

Shandelle faced a challenging childhood as her parents’ marriage crumbled due to her father’s betrayal, leading her to harbor resentment within.

To cope with the pain, Shandelle rebelled. She also got into a relationship with another woman to find love that she couldn’t have in her family. However, the relationship did not fill the emptiness inside her, and she thought about ending it.

Thankfully, Shandelle’s sister invited her to a Bible study, and that changed everything. She started to understand God’s incredible love—something she hadn’t found and experienced anywhere else. From then on, her desire to know and follow God grew.

“I realized that, no matter what I’ve done wrong, God loves me. He’s always ready to embrace and accept me as His child,” Shandelle shared.

But it wasn’t an easy journey for Shandelle. She went through a painful time because someone close to her sexually abused her. She spiraled into depression and eventually stopped talking to her church leaders. This difficult situation took her a long time to overcome.

Has life been difficult for you, too, even after knowing God?

It also happened to Shandelle, but her story will remind you that He is not finished with you yet. God will create a path for you to overcome life’s challenges, just as He did for Shandelle.

What God has used to help Shandelle heal was the uplifting content she found on social media, especially from CBN Asia’s Digital Media campaign, I Can BreakThrough.

I Can BreakThrough’s content deeply moved my heart. Sometimes, when I recall our family’s situation, that’s when I come across a Bible verse or encouragement from their page,” she shared.

The messages she encountered reminded her that God keeps His promises and is always working for her and her family’s benefit.

As Shandelle held on to her faith and obeyed God, her life started to change for the better. Her family—once broken and divided—now comes together to go to church, worship, and listen to God’s teachings. Even her father, whom she used to be mad at, decided to follow Jesus.

“No matter how hard things are, God always finds a way for us to get through them,” Shandelle declared, showing how her strong faith and God’s love turned her tough journey into something beautiful.

If you are in a difficult and painful situation, may this story remind you that God sees all that you are going through.

He sees every pain, mess, and exhaustion. Not only does He see it, He is at work because He is not done with you yet. His promise is that He will never leave you nor forsake you. He will be with you in every situation (Deuteronomy 31:8).

Do you also need uplifting and inspiring content? Follow I Can BreakThrough on social media.

 

If you are looking for someone to pray for you during challenging times, reach out to CBN Asia Prayer Center at 8-737-0-700 or send your prayer requests to 0998-590-0620.

If You Are a Breadwinner, Here’s What God Wants You to Know

You are not alone in bearing the weight of your problems. God is willing to take care of your family’s needs.

Would you trust Him?

This question confronted Rogene Puli and his wife when they thought they were at the end of their ropes after a financial crisis hit their family.

As a public school teacher and sole provider for the family, Rogene’s salary was not enough to afford his premature baby’s medical needs.

It wasn’t an easy decision, but he had no other way but to resort to borrowing money.

“We were scared for our baby’s life. What are we going to do if we run out of money?” he lamented.

Are you also facing the same situation as Rogene’s—lacking and needing a financial breakthrough?

Would you allow God to intervene and show Himself faithful?

This is exactly what happened when Rogene and his wife chanced upon The 700 Club Asia one night.

While watching, their eyes were opened to other people’s needs. And despite their lack, God touched the couple’s hearts to give to people who are also in need.

Even if they couldn’t see any chance that their financial situation would get any better soon, they took a step of faith and promised to give Php 500 to CBN Asia.

For Rogene, it felt like a challenge. He thought, “What would God do with our need when we respond to His call to help others?”

Truly, God did not disappoint them.

When Rogene proceeded to borrow money, he was surprised to know that he would actually get Php 12,000 back because of an overpayment for a previous loan.

That miracle changed Rogene’s life.

“I believe that it was a gift from God,” he said joyfully.

As Rogene continued putting his faith in God and giving to help others, blessing after blessing followed.

Not only did God take care of Rogene’s financial needs, but He also promoted him and blessed his son with good health!

Their story is just one of countless stories of God’s promise being fulfilled.

If you are a breadwinner, know that God is willing to take care of your family’s needs—just like how He took care of Rogene’s family.

When you trust Him, you will experience His faithfulness. He will not only provide for you—He will also give you the ability to help others.

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV)

Do you want to be used by God as an instrument of blessing? Partner with us today, go to cbnasia.org/give.