What are You Thankful for Today?

If you’re having a hard time answering that question, you are not alone.

Some people feel that they don’t have much to be grateful for during the pandemic because of its impact on their health, jobs, and relationships. These days, it takes tremendous strength to be grateful and say, “Thank God.”

So, how do we hold on to gratitude even when times are tough?

Angie Garcia’s story is here to inspire you.

One day, Angie woke up with an excruciating pain on her left knee. Brushing it off as a simple leg pain, she endured it for two months until she couldn’t take it any longer.

When they rushed to the hospital, Angie found out that she had a torn ligament which required her to undergo an emergency surgery.

Suffering in physical pain, Angie was also mentally distressed about where she would get the surgery fee amounting to Php 100,000.

“It was painful. I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t move. All I could do was pray, ‘Please, Lord. I’ve had enough. This would’ve been my 11th surgery, so I didn’t want to go through it,’” lamented Angie.

Like Angie, have you ever come to a point when you’re frustrated about your situation?

How did you overcome it?

At her breaking point, Angie chanced upon The 700 Club Asia and the hosts were praying for someone who has a torn ligament. Deep down, she knew that the prayer was for her.

Angie joined the prayer without second thought. She remembered to trust God and thank Him for her life. She thanked him for the healing that she is yet to experience.

Angie recalled, “I prayed, ‘Lord, thank You! I claim that I will be healed!”

And it happened.

Angie felt instant healing right after the prayer. She immediately texted the program and expressed her gratitude, “I told them, ‘Thank you for your prayers.’ Then I claimed healing of my torn ligament.

Brimming with excitement, Angie went to have her knee checked by the doctor again. To her doctor’s surprise, Angie’s knee was well and healed!

“My doctor told me that my condition looked even better than before!” Angie said while smiling.

How about you, how do you remain thankful when you are going through a suffering?

Angie chose to thank God even before she received healing. She chose to believe that God is greater than her current circumstances. She chose to trust that He will always carry her through.

“The joy in my heart comes from the Lord. That’s the most important thing for me. The joy in my heart, His healing, His provision… everything — big or small— comes from Him. And I would like to thank Him for that,” Angie ended.

What are you grateful for today?

Being thankful isn’t easy in times of suffering. It takes faith to look beyond your current situation and look to God — the one who is in control of everything.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV)

Do you need someone to pray for you? Call the CBN Asia Prayer Center at 8-737-0-700 or send your prayer requests to our Facebook page.

If you are seeking God’s grace and comfort during these trying times, listen to “2AM Wide Awake,” an inspirational song by Neo Rivera and Jericho Arceo! The song is produced by Reverb Worship PH, CBN Asia’s music arm.

Watch the lyric video visualizer of 2AM Wide Awake on YouTube or stream it on all digital streaming platforms worldwide.

Neo Rivera, Jericho Arceo Team Up for Inspirational Single ‘2AM Wide Awake’

Actor and singer-songwriter Neo Rivera and social media influencer Jericho Arceo have teamed up for Neo’s uplifting new song, 2AM Wide Awake. You can stream it on October 29 on all digital streaming platforms worldwide!

Inspired by the story of The Prodigal Son in the Bible, Neo penned his first single for 2021 as a message of God’s love, grace, and forgiveness. The lyrics tell the story of a person who’s wide awake at 2 AM, wondering how God can still love someone like him who has failed countless times.

“We’ve been a Prodigal Son or Daughter at some point. My journey with Christ isn’t perfect. Many times, I’d question my worth, I couldn’t sleep because of fears. (downtownvictoria.ca) I’d ask, ‘Lord, will Your promises come true? Am I late? If I didn’t rebel, would I be in a different place? Would I meet You?’” Neo said.

The singer-songwriter continued, “That’s when I remind myself of God’s grace, and His plans and timing always prevail. It’s a collection of those moments that made up the song.”

Neo’s personal story and musing from the timeless parable, together with Jericho’s intricately crafted Tagalog rap verse and some smooth, laid back beats, gave birth to the masterpiece that is 2AM Wide Awake.

This relatable song is a perfect anthem for anyone seeking God’s grace and comfort during these trying times.

“You are not alone. I get you. I understand your struggle of having so many questions for God. Sometimes, we ask for answers but what He shows us is His love for us. Even though we have many mishaps in life, He’s ready to bring us back in His arms. He alone is enough,” Neo shared.

2AM Wide Awake is produced by Reverb Worship PH, CBN Asia’s music arm. It is the third on the roster of fresh Christian Contemporary songs that the record label is releasing this year.

“I am excited for 2AM Wide Awake! As we thrive to bring songs about our faith to a wider audience, 2AM’s pop sound will surely be popular among today’s music lovers. I pray that as they hear this song, they will also think about God’s endless love for all of us,” said John Valdes Tan, CBN Asia’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

Pre-save 2AM Wide Awake by Neo Rivera and Jericho Arceo, and stream it on October 29 on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal, Soundcloud, and YouTube!

 Follow Reverb Worship PH on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for more updates.

 

3 Tips to Sleep Better at Night

Still awake and can’t sleep?

You are not alone.

In an article by Sunstar.com, about 46 percent of Filipinos are experiencing sleep deprivation, and about 32 percent sleep less than six hours a day.

If you are one of these people who have a hard time sleeping every night, here are some tips that could help you achieve a good night’s sleep.

1. Have a regular sleep-wake schedule

According to HelpGuide.Org, staying on track with your sleeping patterns is one of the key factors to have a good night’s sleep.

Try to sleep on the same schedule every night and wake up at a definite hour in the morning. By doing so, you can have quality sleep, and your internal body clock can adjust accordingly.

Also, watch your naptime. Consider limiting your naptime to 15 to 20 minutes so that it will not negatively affect your sleeping routine at night. Longer naptimes could disrupt your sleep.

2. Develop good eating and exercising habits

Aside from looking into your sleeping schedules, be mindful of your food intake.

Sleep Foundation emphasized that improving your sleep also means enhancing your diet and exercise.

For your dinner, it is best to eat early, so you can allocate time for your body to digest your meals. Also, try to limit your intake of caffeine and energy drinks to minimize your sleep problems.

To also improve your sleep, have regular exercise. Doing some physical activities such as cardio or aerobic exercises can give you have quality sleep.

3. Clear your mind through songs and prayer

Perhaps it’s your worries that are keeping you up at night. So here is another essential tip that you should not miss:

Find rest in the presence of God through prayer.

Whatever thoughts that bothering you in bed, remember that God is in control. So lay down your weary head and rest in His peaceful presence.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NLT)

Do you want to start a peaceful life? Visit this link and begin your journey of faith today!

Another way to cleanse your mind is through music!

Watch out for “2 AM Wide Awake” by Neo Rivera featuring Jericho Arceo, the newest single of Reverb Worship PH – a song that will help you find rest in the unfailing love and grace of God.

 

Pre-save the song here and stream it on Spotify, Apple Music, and all digital streaming platforms starting October 29.

Be updated with the latest songs of Reverb Worship PH by following them on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

Teacher, Check Out these 5 Self-Care Tips for You! | Beyond Small Talk

Modules. Online classes. Reports.

Sounds familiar, don’t they?

In fact, they are so familiar and important that you tend to give your all to provide quality learning experience for your students. They are so valuable that sometimes, these things that you love to do become the source of your stress and burnout.

Influencer, mental health advocate, and Beyond Small Talk host Jericho Arceo shares helpful self-care tips so teachers and educators like you can still thrive while staying committed to your noble profession:

1. Engage in self-care

What can you do to take care of yourself? Start with yourself.

In this time of crisis, teachers like you are exerting extra effort on their work to the point of skipping meals or not getting enough sleep. The work may feel endless at times, but taking time to take care of yourself isn’t selfish! In fact, it’s an important of part of doing well in your job too.

Take care of your sleep, make sure you eat healthy foods, and do not underestimate the value of exercise. Be a little kinder to your body. The healthier you are in mind, body and spirit, the more productive you will be!

Jericho shares, “When we take care of our bodies, eventually, our mental health is being taken care of. It is important to take care of our bodies intentionally, so we can take care of others – in line with the second commandment which is to love our neighbors.”

2. Identify sources of stress

Pause and take time to identify where your stress could be coming from, both in your work and personal life.  If you can pin-point your triggers, you can find ways to successfully manage and respond to them.

So, what is your stressor? Your deadlines? The workload? Your colleagues? Or the pressure to adjust to new modes of learning?

3. Be part of a support group

Figuratively speaking, no man is an island.

Scientifically speaking, having trusted people around you is important. In fact, a research titled The Correlation of Social Support with Mental Health from the National Library of Medicine shows that having a good support system can have a positive impact on one’s mental health.

“Make sure your support group understands you, listens to you, loves you, and prays for you. They will lead you closer to God and insulate you in times of mental health problems. Choose your friends,” Jericho suggests.

4. Seek professional help

Are you struggling to sleep, feeling restless or down, becoming sick, or lacking interest in things you used to be so passionate about?

A certain amount of work-related stress is inevitable, but a burnout is a more serious type of stress. You may want to consider talking to a doctor or a mental health professional so they can help you work through it.

If you are experiencing burnout or any mental health problem, it is important to seek professional help. There is nothing wrong with that,” Jericho reminds.

5. Rest

Some people feel an overwhelming sense of guilt whenever they rest. Perhaps that feeling stems out of the belief that one’s productivity equates to one’s worth.

But rest is productive, too.

According to Psychology Today’s article “Rest for Success”your “downtime” can boost your biological intelligence. Apart from that great benefit, rest also helps increase your productivity, creativity, and attention to detail.

So, take your time off – and the next time you do, gently remind yourself that rest is required, and you deserve it.

According to Jericho, one of the best things you can do as you rest is to pray and have a personal time with God, “Pray to God, because God is the one who understands you when you cannot verbalize what you feel.”

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.” (1 Corinthians 6:19)

Are you feeling restless?

It would be our joy to comfort you through prayers and introduce you to the ultimate source of rest and peace. Feel free to call the CBN Asia Prayer Center at 8-737-0-700 and we would love to pray for you.

Catch the next Beyond Small Talk webisode this Saturday, 7:00 PM on The 700 Club Asia Facebook page and YouTube Channel.

How Do We Submit to Authorities During Quarantine? | Beyond Small Talk

Recently, the government has issued an order to arrest those who will not cooperate with the mandatory quarantine guidelines in the effort to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

Some people might find it hard to obey the authorities’ protocols, despite health risks and potential arrest, because of several reasons.

Breaking the law, however, doesn’t coincide with what the Bible teaches in 1 Peter 2:13-15 (ESV), “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.”

Knowing that, how do you submit to governing authorities especially in a crisis like this?

Learn from Beyond Small Talk hosts Peter Kairuz, Jericho Arceo, and Paul Herrera.

Be a good citizen

You are called to be a responsible and wise Filipino citizen. You are called to follow the rules and regulations and submit to the authorities.

As Paul Herrera said, “Whether you like the leaders or not, you have to obey the law.” Some people might find it hard to obey rules during a national crisis, particularly when their views differ from the governing authorities. However, disobedience might do more harm than good.

You can still air out your grievances. No one is withholding you because speaking your heart out is your right. However, in doing so, be careful to discern that what comes out of your mouth will not be dishonoring to the leaders of the land and will give glory to God.

As Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”

In the end, the leaders are accountable to God.

Be faithful in what you can do

Instead of pinpointing and blaming, you can be diligent in fulfilling your role as a good citizen.

One of the many ways is to help front liners who battle against the pandemic. At the same time, praying for the country and the leaders would also mean a lot!

Remember that change starts in you and that the safety of your loved ones and neighbors is in your hands. You can protect them by being obedient citizens.

The Philippines is not a hopeless country.

God promised in Deuteronomy 28:1-3 (NIV), “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.”

How has this episode helped you? Share it in the comment section below!

Also, do not forget to watch and join the online discussion on the next episode of Beyond Small Talk on Saturday, April 25, 7:00 pm at The 700 Club Asia Facebook page and YouTube Channel.

Do You Want to be a Great Leader? Here are Qualities You Should Have

There are many great leaders throughout history, but there’s only one person who has set the standards and embodied the true meaning of leadership.

It’s none other than Jesus Christ – the greatest servant leader of all time.

Scroll down to see His life and remarkable leadership qualitiesthings you should aim for, as discussed by Beyond Small Talk hosts Peter Kairuz, Jericho Arceo, and Paul Herrera. 

1. A true leader knows how to sacrifice.

Even if Jesus knew He was God (Philippians 2:6-7), He chose to put Himself down to connect with His people and become a humble servant. He came to earth not to be served but to serve mankind and gave His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28). 

A leader should be someone who will sacrifice, serve, and go the extra mile for his or her constituents. 

2. A true leader teaches and models how to lead.

He or she does not only instruct nor dictate what followers should do but models it. 

“Jesus modeled servant leadership by serving others through the washing of His disciples’ feet and dying on the cross,” Paul Herrera explained. 

3. A true leader allows his or her followers to do things on their own.

Jesus allowed His disciples to minister on their own and be able to apply what they have learned from Him. Doing so helps build accountability and encourages the followers to be leaders too. 

How has this episode helped you?

Don’t hesitate to share your thoughts! Join our online discussion and watch more webisodes of Beyond Small Talk every Saturday, 7:00 PM at The 700 Club Asia Facebook page and YouTube Channel. 

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His love for you is endless. That’s the kind that never fades. He reminds us all of his love for us in Jeremiah 31:3you with unfailing kindness.

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The Fearless Life | God’s Word Today

His love for you is endless. That’s the kind that never fades. He reminds us all of his love for us in Jeremiah 31:3

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What It Takes To Believe in God

His love for you is endless. That’s the kind that never fades. He reminds us all of his love for us in Jeremiah 31:3you with unfailing kindness.

img

The Fearless Life | God’s Word Today

His love for you is endless. That’s the kind that never fades. He reminds us all of his love for us in Jeremiah 31:3