Tugon sa Dalangin Archives

3 Thoughts to Ponder When You Find it Hard to Give

Posted on April 14, 2022 by Jeaneth Panti | Leave a Comment

What comes to your mind when you hear about someone in need?

Do you think someone else will help them, or do you ask yourself how you can help?

Some people find it hard to give to those in need due to a lot of personal reasons. And if you, too, are struggling to lend a helping hand, here are 3 thoughts to ponder that can help you cultivate a generous heart, from Tanikala: Tugon sa Dalangin—an Operation Blessing Special:

Thought #1: “God will provide for my needs.”

Do you hold on to your resources with an iron fist, or an open hand?

Sometimes, people want to give but find it hard to give because of fear. Fear of losing resources. Fear of not having enough for yourself and for your loved ones. Fear of the future.

If fear keeps you from giving, it’s time to ask yourself: Do I trust that God will provide for my needs? Do I truly believe that God will take care of me?

Tugon sa Dalangin featured the story of sisters Janine and Rheine Doña. In the wake of Typhoon Odette, they offered prayers and encouragement to their neighbors—in faith that God will comfort them, too. Their family received relief items when Operation Blessing visited their community.

Trusting God with your needs can free you from fear. Next time you struggle to give, pray. Remember that God loves you and has a better life for you. As you care for others, trust that God will take care of you too.

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19 NKJV)

Thought #2: “My giving is not in vain. God sees me, God is glorified.”

Some people struggle to give because they feel that their money, time, effort, or love won’t be appreciated.

Whenever you feel this way, ask yourself: What is my motivation behind my giving? Do I believe that God sees me?

If you give to receive praise from other people, there is a high chance that you’d be let down. But when you fix your eyes on Jesus—on being a vessel of His love and grace—you can be assured that your giving is not in vain.

This is what volunteer dentist Dr. Marissa Pascua believes. She joined Operation Blessing’s medical mission in Tacloban where she met Marilou Fabi—who was suffering from severe toothache. Upon receiving free dental surgery and medicines, Marilou concluded that it was God’s hand that led the volunteer doctors to their community.

God appreciates and is pleased with your small acts of kindness. God is glorified by your wholehearted service to others.

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 4:10-11 ESV)

Thought #3: “Any help, no matter how small, can change lives.”

Do you ever feel so overwhelmed by the needs of the world that it feels like there is nothing you can do to make a difference? So instead of giving, you hold back—because you think it won’t change anything anyway.

Try to avoid thinking that what you give is not good enough. Focus on the reason why you are giving: Do I give to glorify God? Do I believe that every good thing I have is entrusted to me by God? Do I trust that God multiplies whatever I give?

For instance, giving a small amount to typhoon-affected families may not change their life instantly, but it will give them the food they need to survive the day. In the midst of their helplessness and hunger, receiving any help gives them hope that God answers their prayers.

Instead of finding a job in the city, teacher Irene Bertudez of the Dumagat tribe in Quezon chose to give back to her community. Amid the pandemic, she prayed for school supplies that they can use for modular learning. Her prayers were answered through Operation Blessing partners. These acts of giving continue to inspire Dumagat children bit by bit each day.

So next time you hear of a need and you can do something about it—even if it seems small—give it a try. In the end, you also benefit. God blesses you with a deep sense of joy and purpose that only comes from giving.

“You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.” (2 Corinthians 9:11-12 ESV)

Are you praying for a generous heart?

It would be our joy 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 blessed by this year’s Tanikala and you want to bless the ministry, you may do so through this link.

CBN Asia’s Tanikala Brings You Inspiring Stories of Hope and Healing with “Tugon sa Dalangin” and “Paghilom”

Posted on April 8, 2022 by Jeaneth Panti | Leave a Comment

CBN Asia brings you inspiring stories of hope and healing in its much-anticipated Holy Week Special—Tanikala: Tugon sa Dalangin which airs on Maundy Thursday, April 14, and Tanikala: Paghilom on Good Friday, April 15, at 10:30 am on GMA.

In Tugon sa Dalangin, disaster survivors and families affected by the pandemic recount moments of helplessness and how God answered their prayers through Operation Blessing Foundation Philippines, CBN Asia’s humanitarian arm.

This Operation Blessing Special is hosted by The 700 Club Asia hosts Erick Totañes and Sonjia Calit. Erick narrated, “When we bless others, we are blessed in return. If we join our hands together to be the ‘answered prayers’ of our kababayans, God’s good plan for our nation will come to pass.”

Sonjia added, “It’s a cycle of blessing that grows bigger and wider—until finally it reaches to the ends of our nation.” Tugon sa Dalangin is directed by Timmy Yee.

For Good Friday, top-caliber actors and real-life couple Marco and Lara Quigaman-Alcaraz are back in another heart-tugging, true-to-life story of a marriage tarnished by infidelity, in Paghilom.

Lara plays the role of Toni Miranda, an ambitious wife who fell into a cycle of adultery. Toni’s husband John—portrayed by Marco—bears the brunt of his wife’s affair and was ultimately torn between revenge and forgiveness.

Paghilom is directed by John Valdes Tan and Seth Blanco.

Witness stories of hope and healing in Tanikala: Tugon sa Dalangin on Maundy Thursday, April 14, and Tanikala: Paghilom on Good Friday, April 15, at 10:30 am on GMA.

Join our online conversations and use the hashtags #Tanikala, #TugonSaDalangin, and #Paghilom.

For more inspiring stories, subscribe to the CBN Asia’s YouTube channel and spend a meaningful Holy Week by watching Tanikala Rewind—a YouTube marathon of previous Tanikala offerings.

Feeling Sad? Apply these 3 Habits that Bring Joy

Posted on March 30, 2022 by Jeaneth Panti | 1 Comment

Are you one of the many people who want more joy?

Of course, you are. But with all the conflicts, political divide, natural disasters and the ups and downs of life, joy is something everyone longs for but often seems difficult to grab hold of.

Thankfully, experiencing joy is part of God’s will for you! It’s the kind of joy that doesn’t depend on what you do or what happens around you. It’s the joy that surpasses human understanding and rises above any circumstance.

God shares in His Word how you can experience more of His joy in your life. Here are 3 habits that lead to true and lasting joy:

Habit #1: Obey God

Obedience to God is the most important habit that you can practice to experience more joy in life. To some, this may seem illogical—doesn’t joy sound freeing while obedience sounds restricting?

Truth is, obedience brings great joy! The Bible paints a clear connection between obedience to Jesus and experiencing His joy. In one of His last conversations with His disciples, Jesus tells them to abide in Him, abide in His Word, and abide in His love.

“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:10–11 ESV)

Obedience to God is the way to experience the fullness of His joy. This means that every time you turn to Jesus, you turn to knowing His love and the joy that it brings. Yes, obeying God isn’t always convenient or easy, but as you walk in His will, you also walk in His blessing.

Habit #2: Live a life of contentment

Contentment is freedom. Contentment is being happy right where you are. And as you learn to let go of painful cravings of what you can’t have and be thankful for what you have right now, living a content life leads to joy.

In the Bible, apostle Paul said that he learned contentment—this means that contentment is a learned behavior, a discipline that must be cultivated every day.

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11-13 ESV)

Like obedience, contentment doesn’t come easily for everyone. But by God’s grace, you can learn and grow.

Ask God to help you realize that circumstances don’t have to lead your feelings, that you don’t need to seek worldly happiness because you have eternal joy, that you don’t need to seek love because you’re already loved by God. Ask Jesus to help you experience the joy that comes with being content in Him.

Habit #3: Serve and give

Money, time, talents, stories, kindness… life.

It’s easy to keep these things to oneself. But God’s Word suggests a radical thought: to experience joy in life is to share it with others.

“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. (https://championshipmartialarts.com/) For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38 ESV)

It doesn’t necessarily mean that, when you give one bread to the hungry, you will get 10 breads in return. Jesus gives back something much more valuable than material things; He blesses your giving with joy and sense of fulfillment.

Increase your joy by serving others cheerfully and giving generously. As you serve and give, you also receive. You also experience the greatest joy in life from the source of joy Himself—Jesus.

What about you, what habits do you practice to cultivate more joy into your life?

Let us know in the comments section below!

This Holy Week, be inspired by stories of changed lives made possible through joyful giving. Watch Tanikala: Tugon sa Dalangin – an Operation Blessing Special, on April 14, at 10:30 AM, on GMA.