Believe and Be Fulfilled

"Blessed are you who believed 

that what was spoken to you by the Lord 

would be fulfilled.” 

LUKE 1:45

God created us for His glory, and that He has a wonderful plan for our lives. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins and to rise again, so that we can have eternal life and fellowship with Him. He also gave us His Holy Spirit, who guides us, empowers us, and fills us with His love, joy, peace, and other fruits. He also gave us His Word, which is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. 

What the Lord says, He does. Find your ultimate purpose, joy, and peace in Him. Tust in His promises, obey His commands, and follow His example. Live for His glory and not your own. Being fulfilled in the Lord is not a one-time event, but a lifelong journey. It is not always easy, but it is always rewarding. It is not based on your feelings, but on your faith. It is not dependent on your circumstances, but on your relationship with Him. It is not something you achieve, but something you receive.

Mary set out in those days and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:39-45)

God loves us so much but do we possess the same degree of deep and sincere affection for God and His will. A lover of God seeks to know Him, worship Him, serve Him, and please Him. A lover of God also loves what God loves, which includes His creation, His Word, His people, and His righteousness.

The Bible uses different words to describe the love of God and the love for God. One of them is agape, which is a Greek word that means unconditional, selfless, and sacrificial love. Agape is the kind of love that God has for us, and that we are called to have for Him and for others. Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commands" ( John 14:15 )1. He also said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" ( Mark 12:30 )2. This is the greatest commandment, and the second is to love your neighbor as yourself ( Mark 12:31 )2.

Another word for love is philotheia, which is a Greek word that means love or devotion to God. Philotheia is associated with the concepts of worship and piety. Theophilus, which means "friend of God" or "loved by God", is derived from this word. Luke addressed his Gospel and the book of Acts to Theophilus ( Luke 1:3, Acts 1:1 )34, implying that he was a believer who loved God.

A third word for love is ahab, which is a Hebrew word that means affection, attachment, or desire. Ahab is used to describe various kinds of love, such as the love between a husband and a wife, a parent and a child, a friend and a friend, or a person and an object. Ahab is also used to describe the love that God has for His people, and the love that His people have for Him. For example, God said to Israel, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness" ( Jeremiah 31:3 ). David said to God, "I love you, Lord, my strength" ( Psalm 18:1 ).

Thehe true test of our love for God is not in our words, but in our actions. As John wrote, "Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth" ( 1 John 3:18 ). May we show our love for God by obeying His commands, following His example, and sharing His gospel. 

Hark! My lover, here he comes springing across the mountains, leaping across the hills. My lover is like a gazelle or a young stag. Here he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, peering through the lattices. My lover speaks; he says to me: “Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one, and come! For see, the winter is past, the rains are over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of pruning the vines has come, and the song of the dove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines, in bloom, give forth fragrance. Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one, and come! O my dove in the clefts of the rock, in the secret recesses of the cliff, let me see you, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet, and you are lovely.” (Song of Songs 2:8-14)

God’s plan and design is based on His perfect wisdom, power, and love. He created everything out of nothing, and He sustains and governs everything by His word. He has a purpose for everything He made, and He works all things according to His will. He is the sovereign Lord of history, and He reveals His plan and design through His word and His works.

God’s plan and design is also centered on His Son, Jesus Christ. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, and the head of the church. He is the one through whom and for whom all things were created. He is the one who came to earth, lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose again, to save us from our sins and reconcile us to God. He is the one who will come again, to judge the living and the dead, and to establish His eternal kingdom.

God’s plan and design is ultimately for His glory. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. He is the one who does all things for His own sake, and He is worthy of all praise, honor, and worship. He is the one who invites us to share in His glory, and He is the one who will fill all things with His glory.

Give thanks to the Lord on the harp; with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises. Sing to him a new song; pluck the strings skillfully, with shouts of gladness. But the plan of the Lord stands forever; the design of his heart, through all generations. Blessed the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he has chosen for his own inheritance. Our soul waits for the Lord, who is our help and our shield, for in him our hearts rejoice; in his holy name we trust. (Psalm 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21)

Lord, I am not an accident, a mistake, or a flaw but a masterpiece of Your grace and awe. I am not a a random product of chance or fate but a chosen vessel of Your love and faith. I am not a slave to sin, fear, or shame but Your child, called by Your name. Thank You so much for making me Your own plan and design, Your glory and Your sign, Your workmanship and Your art, the delight of Your heart. May all the days of my life bring glory to Your Name and may I always be blessed in believing that all Your words would be fulfilled in Your perfect will and time. Amen.

Pericope:

II: The Infancy Narrative

MARY VISITS ELIZABETH

Luke 1:39-45

The Song of Songs by Solomon

A TRYST IN THE SPRING

Song of Songs 2:8-17

First Book of Psalms 1-41

PRAISE OF GOD'S POWER AND PROVIDENCE

Psalm 33:1-22

Reflection Source:

Copilot with Bing Chat

All That You See Here

 “All that you see here—the days will come when 

there will not be left a stone upon another stone 

that will not be thrown down.” 

LUKE 21:6

This is a powerful and prophetic statement attributed to Jesus. It serves as a reminder of impermanence and the transient nature of all things. It encourages reflection on deeper spiritual truths and the need to focus on eternal values beyond the material world.

While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, “All that you see here—the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them! When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.” (Luke 21:5-11)

In this context, Jesus is referring to the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. The Second Temple, also known as Herod’s Temple, held immense significance for the Jewish people. It served as the central place of Jewish worship. It was where Jews gathered for communal prayers, rituals, and sacrifices. The temple symbolized their connection to God and their shared faith. The Second Temple replaced Solomon’s Temple, which had been destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 BCE. Its construction marked a period of renewed hope for the Jewish people after their exile. It represented continuity with their ancient past and the restoration of their religious practices. Tragically, in 70 CE, during the First Jewish–Roman War, the Second Temple was destroyed by the Roman army led by Titus. This event fulfilled Jesus’ prophecy. The destruction left a profound impact on Jewish history and theology.

Daniel interprets a dream for King Nebuchadnezzar, revealing a sequence of empires (symbolized by different metals) that would rise and fall. The final kingdom, represented by a stone cut without hands, would destroy all preceding kingdoms and stand forever. A divine kingdom established by God—a kingdom that transcends earthly powers and lasts forever. This kingdom is often associated with the Messiah’s reign and the ultimate victory of good over evil.

Daniel said to Nebuchadnezzar: “In your vision, O king, you saw a statue, very large and exceedingly bright, terrifying in appearance as it stood before you. The head of the statue was pure gold, its chest and arms were silver, its belly and thighs bronze, the legs iron, its feet partly iron and partly tile. While you looked at the statue, a stone which was hewn from a mountain without a hand being put to it, struck its iron and tile feet, breaking them in pieces. The iron, tile, bronze, silver, and gold all crumbled at once, fine as the chaff on the threshing floor in summer, and the wind blew them away without leaving a trace. But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. “This was the dream; the interpretation we shall also give in the king’s presence. You, O king, are the king of kings; to you the God of heaven has given dominion and strength, power and glory; men, wild beasts, and birds of the air, wherever they may dwell, he has handed over to you, making you ruler over them all; you are the head of gold. Another kingdom shall take your place, inferior to yours, then a third kingdom, of bronze, which shall rule over the whole earth. There shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron; it shall break in pieces and subdue all these others, just as iron breaks in pieces and crushes everything else. The feet and toes you saw, partly of potter’s tile and partly of iron, mean that it shall be a divided kingdom, but yet have some of the hardness of iron. As you saw the iron mixed with clay tile, and the toes partly iron and partly tile, the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile. The iron mixed with clay tile means that they shall seal their alliances by intermarriage, but they shall not stay united, any more than iron mixes with clay. In the lifetime of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed or delivered up to another people; rather, it shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and put an end to them, and it shall stand forever. That is the meaning of the stone you saw hewn from the mountain without a hand being put to it, which broke in pieces the tile, iron, bronze, silver, and gold. The great God has revealed to the king what shall be in the future; this is exactly what you dreamed, and its meaning is sure.” (Daniel 2:31-45)

For believers, this prophecy offers hope and assurance that God’s sovereign plan will ultimately prevail. Despite the turmoil of human history, God’s eternal kingdom remains unshakable. In Christian theology, this is often connected to the coming of Jesus Christ—the Messiah—who inaugurates God’s eternal kingdom. It points to a future where justice, peace, and righteousness will prevail.

“Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, praise and exalt Him above all forever. Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord, praise and exalt Him above all forever. You heavens, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever. All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord, praise and exalt Him above all forever. All you hosts of the Lord, bless the Lord; praise and exalt Him above all forever.”  (Daniel 3:57, 58, 59, 60, 61)

Bless the Lord, praise and exalt Him above all forever! These words echo through time, resounding from the psalms of old to the whispers of the wind. The sun dances across the sky, and the moon keeps its faithful watch. The oceans roar, and the sparrows find their nests. Each blade of grass, each soaring eagle, each newborn child—all bear witness to the divine artistry. All creation joins in a symphony of praise, exalting the One who formed the galaxies, painted the dawn, and breathed life into every living thing. Let the mountains lift their ancient heads, the rivers sing their liquid melodies, and the stars twinkle in celestial harmony. For the Creator’s handiwork is woven into every atom, every leaf, every heartbeat.

So let us join the chorus, you and I, lifting our voices like petals toward the sun. Let our gratitude be the fragrance that rises, our awe the melody that swells. For in this vast cosmic tapestry, we are but stardust, yet beloved. And as the universe spins, as galaxies collide and constellations form, may our souls find their true north: the eternal, unchanging Source of all beauty and wonder. Bless the Lord, O works of creation! Praise and exalt Him above all forever!

Pericope:

VI: The Teaching Ministry in Jerusalem

THE DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE FORETOLD / THE SIGNS OF THE END

Luke 21:5-6/7-11

I: Daniel and the Kings of Babylon

THE KING'S DREAM

Daniel 2:31-45

I: Daniel and the Kings of Babylon

THE FIERY FURNACE

Daniel 3:57-61

Reflection Source:

Microsoft Bing

What Was Said

He believed, hoping against hope, 

that he would become the father of many nations, 

according to what was said, 

Thus shall your descendants be. 

ROMANS 4:18

He remembered His holy word to His servant Abraham. And He led forth His people with joy; with shouts of joy, His chosen ones. (Ps 105:42-43)

Jesus said to his disciples: “Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.” (Lk 12:10-12)

You descendants of Abraham, His servants, sons of Jacob, His chosen ones! He, the Lord, is our God; throughout the earth His judgments prevail. He remembers forever the covenant which He made binding for a thousand generations, which He entered into with Abraham and by His oath to Isaac. (Ps 105:6-9)

It was not through the law that the promise was made to Abraham and his descendants that he would inherit the world, but through the righteousness that comes from faith. (Rom 4:13) For this reason, it depends on faith, so that it may be a gift, and the promise may be guaranteed to all his descendants, not to those who only adhere to the law but to those who follow the faith of Abraham, who is the father of all of us, as it is written, I have made you father of many nations. He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not exist. (Rom 16-17)

Jesus Reveals the Father

 "All things have been handed over to me by my Father. 

No one knows who the Son is except the Father, 

and who the Father is except the Son 

and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal Him.”

LUKE 10:22

Lord Jesus, Your name is above all names! No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal Him. Thank You so much for constantly revealing to me the truth about the Father whom I dearly love. Your Spirit in me makes me one with Him in love. 

Today, I humbly ask and pray in your Mighty Name that You continue to lead all of us to the truth about the Father. Do not allow our minds to be confused about false teachings that tends to distance ourselves from God for fear of reprisal and punishment. Keep us close to the Father as the love that binds and holds us together. 

I confess that I am a sinner and humbly beg for Your pardon and mercy. You know that I am not comfortable with sin but my mind and flesh is weak and always prone to temptations that leads me to sin. Help me fight this battle that rages within my soul.

You are my savior and protector at all times. It is You who gives me the strength and the power to face my enemies with the assurance that nothing can ever harm me. May your love, peace, and prosperity be upon me each day. In all things, may Your name be always be praised and glorified. 

With much love, thanksgiving and hope I pray. Amen.

Riding on an Ass

Thus says the Lord: Rejoice heartily, O daughter Zion, 

shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem! 

See, your king shall come to you; a just savior is He, meek, 

and riding on an ass, on a colt, the foal of an ass. 

ZECHARIAH 9 : 9

Jesus found an ass and sat upon it, as it is written: "Fear no more, O daughter of Zion: see, your king comes, seated upon an ass's colt."  - John 12:14-15

On the next day, when the great crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took palm branches and went out to meet him, and cried out: "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, [even] the king of Israel." - John 12:12-13

His disciples did not understand this at first, but when Jesus had been glorified they remembered that these things were written about him and that they had done this for him. - John 12:16

FULFILLMENT OF PROPHECY

"Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you
by the Lord 
would be fulfilled.” 
(Luke 1:45)

The prophet who prophesies peace is recognized as truly sent by the Lord only when his prophetic prediction is fulfilled. - Jeremiah 28:9

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. - Acts 2:1-2

Shout for joy! Be glad and exult with all your heart. The LORD, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear (Zep 3:14-15). Be not discouraged. The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; He will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in His love (Zep 3:16-18).

Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim His name; among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is His name. Praise the Lord for His glorious achievement; let this be known throughout all the earth (Is 12:4-5).

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Mt 28:19-20).

Father in heaven, Your most Holy Spirit enables me not to confine myself in one place but rather expand my vision to go forth to unchartered territories.  When You send forth Your spirit, they are created, and You renew the face of the earth (Ps. 104:30). I humbly claim Your empowerment O Lord. Help me to see things clearly as You reveal Your will and purpose over the life You have given me in this world. Amen

Published:

May 28, 2023, 7:04 AM

August 03, 2020, 7:52 AM

May 31, 2017, 5:27 AM

WHEN IT HAPPENS

"Now I have told you

before it happens, 

so that when it happens,

you may believe."  

(John 14:27)

Write down, therefore, what you have seen, and what is happening, and what will happen afterwards (Rev 1:19)

"If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe Me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may realize and understand that the Father is in Me and I am in the Father (Jn 10:37-38). The works which the Father has granted Me to accomplish, these very works which I am doing, bear Me witness that the Father has sent me" (Jn 5:36).

The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken (Isa 40:5).

"When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for He will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is Mine; therefore I said that He will take what is Mine and declare it to you."(Jn 16:12-15)

Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Know for certain that God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ. The promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call (Acts 2:39). Let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help (Heb 4:6).

Upright is the word of the Lord, and all His works are trustworthy (Ps 33:4). Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come (Ps 23:6).

Published:

May 16, 2017, 7:28 AM
June 1, 2011, 6:24 AM