My Safe Haven

THE TIME has arrived. The man in his formal suit has asked fifteen individuals to rise as he will utter two questions that will surely create a new definition of life. The crowd is in great silence, waiting for the happiest response ever heard. I, too, was there, finding myself in the center of this great pool of believers, standing in front, and ready to broadcast the same positive answer as what the other fourteen did. Simple move of my lips, yet requires time to prove its worth. Years must go to gradually find pieces that will complete the puzzle I am about to create. This time is the most precious of all, as it was the day of giving up my life to the One with the exclusive rights to all of my possessions. After some time, a melody was played and filled the stadium with its very heartfelt vibrations, following by the accompanying joyful voices of all attendees. I never heard such singing so lively before! It really touched my deepest self. The song concludes with the very reassurin...

“At pinasimulang anyuan ng Diyos na Jehova ang tao mula sa alabok ng lupa at inihihip sa mga butas ng kaniyang ilong ang hininga ng buhay, at ang tao ay naging isang kaluluwang buháy.” (Genesis 2:7, bi12) Ito ang pasimula ng napakahabang linya ng sangkatauhan. Nilalang si Adan na perpekto, walang kapintasan, at pinaglaanang sagana ni Jehova. Higit sa lahat, ang tao ay nilalang “ayon sa larawan ng Diyos”. (Genesis 1:27) Kung gayon, taglay ni Adan ang mga katangian ng Diyos na buháy na tinukoy ng Bibliya bilang makatuwiran, nakahihigit sa karunungan, makapangyarihan-sa-lahat, at pag-ibig. Subalit sa kabila ng mga paglalaang ito, naiwala ni Adan ang kaisa-isa nitong mana noon: ang walang hanggang buhay sa paraisong tinatamasa. Naging kahulugan ng isang munting pasiya ang buong kinabukasan ng tao. Iyan mismo ang iniuulat sa atin ng ikatlong kabanata ng Genesis, at ang resulta nito’y isang hatol sa lahat na walang tao ang may kakayahang bumali, na ipinasulat ng Diyos sa Roma 5:12 upang b...

In the midst of the great human sea, I can find myself the subject of the wave and resounding applause by thousands of delegates in the stadium. Fifteen individuals are in the row marching towards the greatest decision ever made. While I am in the edge of this row, I began to took a single glimpse of the two big screens, taking a nap after the most wonderful scene being portrayed. Few minutes passes by and my turn came to step in the water to publicly declare my vows and dedication to the One who creates me. At this point onward, I decided that all of my will should be placed next to Jehovah (the one who means the most for me), and shall not be honored first. Exactly a year have been passed since I took the greatest decision as stated above. A year of pleasing Jehovah, a year of loving Jehovah, and a year of walking with Jehovah. As I step into the water, I already assemble myself to die from my old self and old course of living so that I can live again for Jehovah’s will. After get...

Dalawang Pag-ibig ang Bumago sa Kasaysayan! Iniutos ni Jehova sa unang mag-asawa: “Huwag kang kakain ng bunga mula sa puno ng pagkaalam ng mabuti at masama, dahil sa araw na kumain ka mula roon ay tiyak na mamamatay ka.” (Genesis 2:17) Sa tagpong ito na aking binanggit ay ang pinakaunang utos sa kasaysayan ng tao. Ang pagsuway dito, kung gayon, ay ang pinakaunang anyo ng pag-aklas sa Isa na may karapatang mamahala. Maliwanag sa mga binigkas ni Jehova kung ano ang magiging resulta ng hindi pagsunod sa kauna-unahang utos na ito. Pero ang unang mag-asawa ay nabulag ng sariling pagnanasa, “pumitas ng bunga, at kinain iyon.” (Genesis 3:6) Ito ang pasimula ng napakahabang palahaw na naulinigan ng sangkatauhan. Simula pa nang tayo ay ipaglihi at isilang, ang tao ay naging makasalanan, nakakagawa ng mga kamalian at nagkukulang, at tayo ay sinisingil sa kasalanang hindi natin ginusto. (Awit 51:5; Roma 6:23) Tayo ay naipagbili bilang mga alipin ng kasalanan kapalit ang inaakalang “kalayaan”...