A Popular Tagalog Proverb Gets a Biblical Makeover

7/18/2020 99 Comments

God shows mercy and works on us

There is a popular Tagalog proverb, “Nasa Dios ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa,” (God grants the mercy. Man does the work.) that implies that man has to work first before he obtains mercy from God.

I’m sorry, but I do not completely conform to that saying because it is not biblical. Instead, we should believe that it is God who works, and it is also God who grants mercy.

First of all, when you work, you do not merit mercy; you merit a reward or compensation. This is precisely the reason why it is called mercy — it is because you did not work for it.

To obtain God’s mercy, a person needs to repent first. Afterward, God shall work in him. It is God who works.

As it is written in 1 Corinthians 12:6 (KJV),

And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

We, humans, are incapable of doing every good work, but it is God who works in us all.

God works in a person in various ways. If he starts to feel a desire in his heart to do good works, it is proof or a manifestation that God is working in him.

Philippians 2:13 (KJV) says,

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

God gives people the desire to do good works. Nowadays, what many people like doing are the things that will only benefit themselves. Doing good works for others does not always spring out of people’s hearts naturally or spontaneously, so God fills their hearts with the desire to do good works for others.

Again, we obtain mercy not because we worked for it, but because God has forgiven and accepted us when we repented. We feel the desire in our hearts to do good deeds because God is working in us. And He will not only urge us to do good works — He will also help us in accomplishing the good works that we desire to do. Because without Him, we cannot do anything.

John 15:5 (KJV) says,

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

That is why it is unbiblical to say that it is man who works. It is God who works, and it is also God who grants mercy. Man cannot do anything all by himself; he needs God’s help. It is God who sustains him with life, strength, resources, and the will to do what is good. Indeed, humans, in general, are dependent on divine providence.

God is merciful. In fact, He is even more merciful than an ordinary father who is also merciful to his subservient son.

Malachi 3:17 (KJV) says,

And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

The only thing that God asks from men is to return to Him and to keep His ordinances.

Malachi 3:7 (KJV) says,

Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

We need to repent, return to God, and accept His words. When we have accepted His words, only then will we be able to work on the things that we ought to do in order to merit — not God’s mercy — but God’s reward. Remember, we do not work to merit God’s mercy, but we should work to merit God’s reward.

Another manifestation that God is working in a person is when he feels remorseful and repentant of the sins that he has committed in the past.

Romans 2:4 (KJV) says,

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

It is God’s goodness and graciousness that lead a person to repentance.

Also, when you feel repentant of a sin that you have committed, it also signifies that you are acknowledging a powerful Being — unto whom you are submitting yourself to be under subjection, knowing that you are helpless without Him.

Our sincere repentance is very important for us to merit God’s mercy. Remember, the people of Nineveh merited God’s mercy because they sincerely repented of their transgressions. He spared them from the destruction that He planned to bring them.

Jonah 3:10 (KJV) says,

And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

The people of Nineveh were misguided during that time. They were engaged in violence and sexual offenses, just like the people of Sodom and Gomorrah.

That was why God sent them the prophet Jonah to warn them of the impending doom that was to befall them. But upon hearing the words of the prophet, the people of Nineveh immediately repented — they turned away from their evildoings, they fasted, and they prayed fervently.

Jonah 3:5 (KJV) says,

So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.

The people of Sodom and Gomorrah continued with their exceedingly sinful lives; hence, brimstone and fire rained upon them.

But unlike them, the people of Nineveh were spared from God’s punishment because they acknowledged God, repented, and turned away from their wickedness.

I just hope that the people of this generation will also do what the people of Nineveh had done, so that we, too, will merit God’s mercy; so that we will also be spared from the pandemic that troubles the world today.

It is God who works; it is God who grants mercy. And by His mercy, we can be saved.

Mr. Controversy

99 comments:

  1. UnknownJuly 18, 2020 at 7:05 AM

    Thanks be to God for this very enlightening discussion, To God Be The Glory!

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  2. UnknownJuly 18, 2020 at 7:13 AM

    Thanks be to God for this very enlightening discussion, To God Be The Glory!

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  3. My Online AdventuresJuly 18, 2020 at 7:14 AM

    Thanks be to GOD, I was baptized last May 29th, now my spirit is full of wisdom from the words of GOD. Unlike the other religion I observed, my spirit hungers for truth.

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  4. DONALDsJuly 18, 2020 at 7:43 AM

    God works in a person in various ways. If he starts to feel a desire in his heart to do good works, it is proof or a manifestation that God is working in him.

    - AMEN!

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  5. UnknownJuly 18, 2020 at 7:47 AM

    Very informative🙂 thanks be to God Bro.Eli for the biblical insights

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  6. IrahojJuly 18, 2020 at 7:48 AM

    Thank you for the understanding.

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  7. JuliusJuly 18, 2020 at 7:49 AM


    God works in a person in various ways. If he starts to feel a desire in his heart to do good works, it is proof or a manifestation that God is working in him.Thanks be to God for the another Reminder 😊

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  8. UnknownJuly 18, 2020 at 7:51 AM

    Thanks be to God😇

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  9. UnknownJuly 18, 2020 at 7:52 AM

    Thanks be to God Mr. Controversy Extraordinary.

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  10. 70x7July 18, 2020 at 7:53 AM

    Truly very informative. Many thanks to God.

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  11. unknownJuly 18, 2020 at 7:55 AM

    very interesting must read by everyone>>>

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  12. Karaaa1992July 18, 2020 at 7:55 AM

    Salamat po sa Dios Brother Eli!

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  13. Leomar taba LasalaJuly 18, 2020 at 7:56 AM

    Thanks be to God for the wonderful Wisdom Mr. Controversy X. We love you❤❤❤.

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  14. UnknownJuly 18, 2020 at 7:57 AM

    thanks be to God.

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  15. Cris PoliquitJuly 18, 2020 at 7:58 AM

    Proud to be Filipino.
    work to obtain physical needs, but for spiritual God grant mercy.

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  16. UnknownJuly 18, 2020 at 7:59 AM

    Thanks be to God!

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  17. UnknownJuly 18, 2020 at 8:00 AM

    To God be the Glory

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  18. ReymondCastillonJuly 18, 2020 at 8:00 AM

    Thanks be to God for this bit yet wonderful wisdom!

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  19. Don Marco GattoJuly 18, 2020 at 8:00 AM

    Amen, as true as it can get. When Bro. Eli spoke of this, I immediately felt the humility that I needed to feel and that lowly place that I should keep my head in. Thanks be to God

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  20. Arnold EaaJuly 18, 2020 at 8:03 AM

    Its a Very imformative topic and fruitful , enlightened discussion. To GOD be the Glory.

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  21. inquisitivereaderJuly 18, 2020 at 8:04 AM

    Truly Biblical! Now we know that it is God who works, and he is also the one that grants mercy. Thanks be to God! :)

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  22. UnknownJuly 18, 2020 at 8:04 AM

    Now I know that Tagalog proverbs proverbs is not True. Because God who grant mercy, and it also God who works. Million thanks to God for this biblical information.

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  23. EsJuly 18, 2020 at 8:07 AM

    Nasa Dios ang awa at gawa.
    😍 Salamat po sa Dios Bro Eli

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  24. EsJuly 18, 2020 at 8:07 AM

    Nasa Dios ang awa at gawa.
    Salamat sa Dios. Bro Eli

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  25. UnknownJuly 18, 2020 at 8:07 AM

    Thanks be to God for this biblical explanation. To God be the Glory! <3

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  26. Rosemhel24July 18, 2020 at 8:08 AM

    Salamat s Dios.. S lahat ng png unawa at lakas n kaloob upang makagawa.. To God b all d glory!!!

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  27. Dexter Del CorroJuly 18, 2020 at 8:09 AM

    Truly the Tagalog proverb misguided so many Filipinos. Thanks be to God for the enlightenment.

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  28. Rosemhel24July 18, 2020 at 8:09 AM

    Salamat s Dios.. S lahat ng png unawa at lakas n kaloob upang makagawa.. To God b all d glory!!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. UnknownJuly 18, 2020 at 8:10 AM

    "Our sincere repentance is very important for us to merit God’s mercy."

    Noted this part, thanks be to God 😊

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  30. UnknownJuly 18, 2020 at 8:10 AM

    Thanks be to God for this very informative blog

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  31. UnknownJuly 18, 2020 at 8:11 AM

    Timely :) Thanks be to God!

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  32. Jilla TaleonJuly 18, 2020 at 8:12 AM

    Thanks be to God for the enlightenment. I always love reading Mr. Controversy's blog.

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  33. UnknownJuly 18, 2020 at 8:12 AM

    Amen po

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  34. Mauricia DutchessJuly 18, 2020 at 8:13 AM

    This article is so good. Such a great find! Rich in wisdom and wonderful biblical insights ❤️

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  35. elmansaysJuly 18, 2020 at 8:13 AM

    False humility cannot obtain neither mercy nor reward. We must consider and accept that our doing good works are God's initiative as well His pleasure to reward us at the end! If we haven't yet, let us repent to obtain mercy from God while there is still time on this dispensation!

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  36. uwinako TVJuly 18, 2020 at 8:13 AM

    Thaks be to God for correcting the old saying according to the bible.

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  37. uwinako TVJuly 18, 2020 at 8:14 AM

    Thaks be to God for correcting the old saying according to the bible.

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  38. Cris PoliquitJuly 18, 2020 at 8:14 AM

    We work for our salvation and we need mercy from God.

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  39. UnknownJuly 18, 2020 at 8:18 AM

    Thanks be to God for this inspiring biblical insights story ,very informative Talaga Salamat po Bro Eli sa walang kapaguran n'yo pong pagtuturo ng Aral ng katuwiran ng Dios, million Salamat.

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  40. UnknownJuly 18, 2020 at 8:20 AM

    Thanks be to God, i am one of the people who merit God's mercy.

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  41. Successful Entrepreneurs MindsetJuly 18, 2020 at 8:21 AM

    Salamat sa makapangyarihang awa ng Dios.

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  42. UnknownJuly 18, 2020 at 8:21 AM

    "It is God who works; it is God who grants mercy. And by His mercy, we can be saved."
    _AMEN!!

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  43. Jerome cantollasJuly 18, 2020 at 8:31 AM

    Thanks be unto God for this topic. Very enligthining

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  44. LionelJuly 18, 2020 at 8:31 AM

    It is God who works in His children. All we have to do is to be willing instruments for His good deeds, and in the end, we are the ones who will be benefitted for His reward. What more we can ask for to the God who is merciful?

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  45. Jade GabasaJuly 18, 2020 at 8:33 AM

    God knows the exact time, which the devil does not know .. God is very wise
    To God be the glory!

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  46. UnknownJuly 18, 2020 at 8:49 AM

    Thanks be to God... we should repent and we will merit God's mercy.. may God help us from what we are experiencing right now.. To God be the Glory

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  47. Gerard PalimaJuly 18, 2020 at 8:52 AM

    Thanks be to God for this blog 💗

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  48. UnknownJuly 18, 2020 at 9:01 AM

    To God be the glory for the wisdom.

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  49. XianzheJuly 18, 2020 at 9:01 AM

    Great blog. Many things to learn in this blog. Thanks be to God.

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  50. Jenny May SantosJuly 18, 2020 at 9:11 AM

    Salamat po sa Dios ♥️

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  51. kikomanilaJuly 18, 2020 at 9:11 AM

    Wow. i definitely like it.

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  52. kikomanilaJuly 18, 2020 at 9:12 AM

    Wow. very well said. I like this blog.

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  53. UnknownJuly 18, 2020 at 9:47 AM

    salamat po sa Dios

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  54. AllforthegloryofGodJuly 18, 2020 at 10:14 AM

    I wholeheartedly agree that God is the one who do the works in a person. Without him we can do nothing. Thanks be to God

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  55. DudeJuly 18, 2020 at 10:39 AM

    Thanks be to God

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  56. RegulusJuly 18, 2020 at 10:46 AM

    I barely noticed the difference between "mercy" and "reward", but that was before reading this blog. Truly, the beginning and end of all our works, whether deserved or not, is God's grace. I do hope and pray He will heal our lands. ❤

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  57. AnaktiammiananJuly 18, 2020 at 11:14 AM

    A Biblical wisdom indeed. To God be the glory.

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  58. A4710July 18, 2020 at 11:22 AM

    Thanks be to GOD for HIS love, considerations and guidance in order for us to merit HIS mercy. A million thanks to GOD! To GOD Be All The Glory!

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  59. UnknownJuly 18, 2020 at 11:32 AM

    "we should believe that it is God who works, and it is also God who grants mercy" 🥺
    Thanks be to God for this blog ❣

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  60. Bro. Mario F.July 18, 2020 at 12:48 PM

    Amen. Thanks be to God and to God be the glory!

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  61. JoselitomartisanoJuly 18, 2020 at 2:58 PM

    Well said . To God be the Glory.

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  62. UnknownJuly 18, 2020 at 3:32 PM

    Salamat sa Dios sa isang umagang muling nasilayan at sa sugo sa ating panahon.

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  63. UnknownJuly 18, 2020 at 5:27 PM

    Thanks be to God for the enlightenment of this saying. I also believed it before but now I know. A million thanks to God ❤️

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  64. Joshua BustosJuly 18, 2020 at 6:03 PM

    Hello, Bro. Eli. I have read many of your blogs and they are very educational. I even cited some of your works on my academic wtitings because I believe your blogs are a good resource of knowledge, wisdom, and truth.

    Thanks be to God for making the truth just a few clicks away.

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  65. UnknownJuly 18, 2020 at 6:31 PM

    Salamat po sa DIOS

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  66. RayGueWanJuly 18, 2020 at 7:04 PM

    Thanks be to God, wala tayong magagawa kung hiwalay tayo sa Kaniya. Juan 15:5

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  67. Raniel QuiranteJuly 18, 2020 at 8:15 PM

    dapat talaga sa Dios tayo mag tiwala, at huwag sa ating sariling kakayanan :)

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  68. UnknownJuly 18, 2020 at 8:22 PM

    To God be all the Glory

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  69. Josephine NavarroJuly 18, 2020 at 8:51 PM

    Amen! Thanks be to God!

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  70. UnknownJuly 18, 2020 at 9:12 PM

    Thanks be to GOD!

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  71. UnknownJuly 18, 2020 at 9:38 PM

    Thanks be to God. This is enlightening. Mas naunawaan ko na ngayon. I want my parents and friends to also read this. To God be all the glory!

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  72. ACo RinJuly 18, 2020 at 10:26 PM

    For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
    Philippians 2:13

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  73. ACo RinJuly 18, 2020 at 10:27 PM

    salamat sa DIOS sa isang mabuting pagkakataon

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  74. UnknownJuly 18, 2020 at 10:59 PM

    Thanks to God for the dandy explanation. I cleary understand that we can't do work without God because it is clearly written in the bible that God is the one who do works and grants mercy to those people who do repentance and by that we could be saved through His.😍

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  75. Chris NiveroJuly 19, 2020 at 1:39 AM

    God who controls everything is the same God who will work and give mercy to those who will obey him!
    To God be the Glory!

    ReplyDelete
  76. REYNALDO B. LABINDAOJuly 19, 2020 at 3:33 AM

    Very informative and educational to learn the will of GOD.To GOD be the Glory forever🎶🥰

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  77. Jerome PazJuly 19, 2020 at 4:24 AM

    Yes it is always GOD who works for us to be a better person.

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  78. Richard V. CuraJuly 19, 2020 at 7:10 AM

    To God be the Glory

    ReplyDelete
  79. KintsJuly 19, 2020 at 7:13 AM

    This is really worth of my time reading😊👌 and I'm always waiting for every new posts❤

    ReplyDelete
  80. UnknownJuly 19, 2020 at 7:24 AM

    Thanks be to GOD❤
    To GOD be the Glory

    ReplyDelete
  81. El_Em.37July 19, 2020 at 8:00 AM

    Thanks be to GOD for another wonderful opportunity HE has given me, to be able to read this new blog of Mr. Controversy X (Bro. Eli Soriano).

    ReplyDelete
  82. albertJuly 19, 2020 at 8:09 AM

    Thanks be to God for wonderful teachings.

    ReplyDelete
  83. UnknownJuly 19, 2020 at 9:29 AM

    Wow..thank you for the wonderful enlightened. Informative blog.❤️❤️

    ReplyDelete
  84. Bro. Junior BacalalayoJuly 19, 2020 at 8:32 PM

    Thanks be to God 🙏🙌 ❤️💕😘😚🌞😊

    ReplyDelete
  85. Bro. Junior BacalalayoJuly 19, 2020 at 8:35 PM

    To God 🙏 be the Glory 🙌 ❤️ ❤️💕😘😚🌞😊

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  86. UnknownJuly 19, 2020 at 8:54 PM

    May we obtain mercy from God in our desires to be His instruments to do good works.

    ReplyDelete
  87. UnknownJuly 19, 2020 at 8:58 PM

    SALAMAT PO SA DIOS. SA BUTIHING MANGANGARAL NA IPINAGKALOOB NYO PO SA AMIN.TO GOD BE THE GLORY.. AMEN.

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  88. Bro. Junior BacalalayoJuly 19, 2020 at 9:02 PM

    Thanks be to God 🙏 ❤️💕😘😚🌞😊

    ReplyDelete
  89. Bro. Junior BacalalayoJuly 19, 2020 at 9:49 PM

    Thanks 😊 be to God 🙏 ❤️ 🌞😊🙌

    ReplyDelete
  90. Diwa DinglasanJuly 20, 2020 at 6:47 AM

    Even our beliefs should be in accordance with the Bible. Thanks be to God for this blog.

    ReplyDelete
  91. UnknownJuly 21, 2020 at 4:26 PM

    Thanks be to God for the enlightenment.

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  92. EmilyJuly 22, 2020 at 6:38 PM

    wonderful explanation! To God be the glory!

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  93. dindo0510July 24, 2020 at 4:29 AM

    sa Dios talaga ang awa at sa Dios pa rin ang gawa.

    ReplyDelete
  94. UnknownJuly 24, 2020 at 5:17 PM

    Saying sorry and showing that we truly are is all that God really wants to hear and see. God's mercy triumphs over judgment.

    ReplyDelete
  95. dindo0510August 11, 2020 at 4:17 AM

    sa Dios ang awa at sa Dios pa rin ang paggawa sa atin, dahil wala tayo magagawa kung hiwalay tayo sa Kanya.

    ReplyDelete
  96. Ariel CasasSeptember 10, 2020 at 7:30 AM

    It is God who works; it is God who grants mercy. And by His mercy, we can be saved.

    —BES

    ReplyDelete
  97. UnknownSeptember 10, 2020 at 7:31 AM

    I do understand that life of a man does not depends on what he possess, your life depends on God and also not because you have money you will live long; it is not the assurance of life. So the most important thing to have in life is God more than riches, power and everything that is earthly.Thanks be to God!

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  98. UnknownSeptember 10, 2020 at 7:38 AM

    The Life of a man does not depends on what he possess, for the life of a man depends on God. So the most important thing to have in life is God more than riches, power and everything that is earthly. To God be the Glory!

    ReplyDelete

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