WHEN THEY FEEL life’s difficulties taking their toll on them, members of the Church Of Christ all the more put their hope in God, for when they are weak, they are truly strong, because their strength comes from Him. Indeed, God’s loving-kindness and mercy for His people in these last days are more than enough reason for them to remain zealous in serving Him.

This conviction of the faithful had once again been reinforced by the words of God taught by the Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, during the worship service he officiated on March 27, 2021.

From the host site in the Pilar Manalo-Danao (PMD) Multimedia Center at the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) Central Office Complex in Quezon City, Philippines, Brother Eduardo Manalo’s preaching was streamed live to various local congregations and ecclesiastical districts in different parts of the world that were celebrating their respective milestone anniversaries in March.

Reflecting the biblical lesson taught by the Executive Minister, the following inspiring stories of some brethren who attended the worship service show that God never abandons His people for their strong devotion to and firm hope in Him.

Jerusalem, Israel
Written by Cleofe Ariola

It has been 25 years since the official return of the true Church Of Christ to its original home in Jerusalem, Israel in 1996. Although the brethren there have been facing different hurdles in life, God continues to protect and take care of His people in these last days who put their complete trust and hope in Him.

Among them is Sister Mary Ann Pascual, a stay-in caregiver in a nursing home for the elderly. She took care of an 88-year-old man with diabetes and who was insulin-dependent. Aside from having to assist her patient in his medical and personal necessities, she also had to do household chores.

This daily routine of six years for Sister Mary Ann unexpectedly changed when what she feared about Covid-19 became a reality for her.

“One day, my employer and I felt sick. We felt the symptoms of the virus that we heard from the news like diarrhea, loss of appetite, fever, and body malaise,” she recalled.

She and her employer decided to get tested for Covid-19. “I feared that I would be infected by the virus. Getting sick and not being able to work means I would not be able to provide for my family back in the Philippines,” she said.

After a few days of waiting, the result came out that her employer was positive of the virus. He was then hospitalized, while Sister Mary Ann remained in quarantine at home.

Terrified about the news, Sister Mary Ann couldn’t help but to be worried about the worst-case scenario. “If I also get sick, I would not be with my family and I would be just by myself. It was quite traumatic for me, feeling helpless and anxious about what would happen next,” she added. 

However, as a true servant of God, Sister Mary Ann drew strength from the One Who can truly help her: “My only protection from the virus was my prayers to our Almighty Father. I knelt and held my devotional prayers every day and fervently sought the help of God. I pleaded with Him not to leave me but to shield me from this pandemic, and to never forsake me in those moments.”

She completely overcame her loneliness and fear through the words of God that was taught by the Church Administration. Just like what the Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo Manalo, always reminds the brethren during worship services, true Christians have the true God and there is nothing impossible with Him.

Therefore, whenever Sister Mary Ann was on the verge of breaking down, she said, “I would always remind myself that God will not abandon me and that I must always have faith in what God can do for me.” Sister Mary Ann can attest that God did not forsake her because when she took her Covid-19 test again, the result was still negative. “Amid the fears and worries I encountered, I remained strong through the help of God,” she said.

Meanwhile, when she lost her job, she thought that it would be easy for her to look for another employer. But it became difficult for her because, at that time, the entire country implemented a total lockdown.

Her prayers to God were constant. She shared, “After three months of applying for work, I was offered a permanent job near the place of worship and so, I accepted it.” By God’s grace, Sister Mary Ann continues to actively perform her God-given duty as a deaconess. Together with the rest of the brethren in Jerusalem Local Congregation, they promise to remain hopeful and unmoved amidst distressing times to be certain of the promised salvation on the nearing Judgment Day.