If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above.

“Vanity  of vanities,” says the Preacher;
“Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”  (Ecclesiastes 1: 2 NKJV)

What does Scripture mean when it teaches that everything is meaningless apart from God?  I find a lot of comfort in the wisdom of St Teresa of Avila below:

" Let nothing trouble you,
let nothing frighten you.
All things are passing;
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
He who possesses God lacks nothing: God alone suffices."  (St Teresa of Avila)

Lord teach us how short life is so that we can become wise.  (Psalm 90: 12)

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I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will last.

 “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”  (Matthew 14: 8 NIV)

When God appointed Jeremiah as prophet,  He urged him to be bold and courageous and God promised him protection.  (Jeremiah 1: 8) John the Baptist paid with his life for his prophetic ministry.  (Matthew 14: 8) What is the difference?  God’s ways are not our ways.  His thoughts are not our thoughts. (Isaiah 55: 8 - 9)
How about your own ministry?  Where is God leading you? 

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I am the Resurrection and the life. Do you believe this?

"Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.   The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;  and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.  Do you believe this?”  (John 11:  25 -  26 NIV)

Do you believe in the Resurrection of Jesus?  How do you know if you do or not?  Do you pray every day?  Do you read the word of God every day?  Do you honor Jesus on Sunday?

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Put not your trust in princes, in the sons of men, in whom there is no salvation.

 “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel."  (Jeremiah 14 : 6 NIV)

Of course, O Lord my God.  You can do with me as You please.  You are the Potter.  I am the clay.  Let it be done to me according to Your will.  (Luke 1: 38)

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Behold I am always with you.

"I am with you."  (Jeremiah 15: 20)

The promise of Jesus to be with us at all times is in my opinion the greatest promise in the Bible.  Whenever I remember this, it transforms my attitude.  If Jesus is with me, then it is accomplished.  I live more joyful, more carefree, more generous and more peaceful life.  All because Jesus, God and Savior is with me.  Thank You Jesus for Your Presence.

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O Lord our God in You alone we trust. You alone have done all these things for us.

"Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain?"  (Jeremiah 14: 22 NIV)

Only God gives health, prosperity, peace and security.
Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.  (Psalm 16: 4)

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Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

"When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem,
    it was like a dream!
We were filled with laughter,
    and we sang for joy.
And the other nations said,
    “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”
Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us!
    What joy!"  (Psalm 126: 1 -  3 NLT)

When the time (Kairos moment) comes for God to answer your heart's desire, it will come fast and furious.  You will think you are dreaming.  The Joy of answered prayer is unbelievable.

"Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing."

Wait for the Lord with courage.  Be stouthearted.  Wait for the Lord!  (Psalm 27 : 8)

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Be persistent in asking with bold confidence.

“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.   For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened."  (Luke 11: 9 - 10 NLT)

Prayer Never Fails!  God answers thus:   Receive.  Wait.  I have something better for you.
Abba Father knows exactly what you need and when you need it.

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Blessed are they who dwell in Your House! Continually they praise You.

"Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Reform your ways and your deeds so that I may dwell with you in this place."  (Jeremiah 7: 3 NABRE)

Jesus teaches us to live in the habit of continuous repentance.  (Matthew 4: 17)  His Mercy is limitless.

"Do you think you can steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, sacrifice to Baal, follow other gods that you do not know.    and then come and stand in my presence in this house, which bears my name?"   Jeremiah 7: 9 NABRE)

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I will console and gladden them after their sorrows.

"The Lord said to Mary Magdalene:  'Go to my brothers and tell them: 1 am going to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God."  (John 20: 17 RM)

"Whom shall I send?"  Send me. (Isaiah 6: 8)

Will you go if Jesus sends you to announce the great joy of the Resurrection?

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Your friends have their fill of the prime gifts of Your House.

"To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them."  (Matthew 13: 12 NLT)

How hungry are you for the word of God?  Come to the table of the word of God starving and you will be filled.

The seed planted in rich soil will yield abundant harvest.  (Matthew 13: 8)

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The seed that falls on rich soil produces abundant harvest.

“Before I shaped you in the womb,
    I knew all about you.
Before you saw the light of day,
    I had holy plans for you:
A prophet to the nations —
    that’s what I had in mind for you.” (Jeremiah 1: 5 MSG)

God has set you apart for a particular mission.  What are your excuses?  Too old?  Too young?  Too busy?  No money?  No education?
God does not call the qualified.  He qualifies the called.  (Romans 8: 30)

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Who is there like You, Jesus? Show us wonderful signs again

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."  (Revelation 3: 20 NKJV)

Do not be afraid to open your door to Jesus.

"If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts."  (Psalm 95: 8 RM)

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He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies Me.

"No, he has told you what he wants, and this is all it is: to be fair, just, merciful, and to walk humbly with your God."  (Micah 6: 8 TLB)

What does the Lord require of us today?

THE ABC OF MERCY:
1.  Ask Jesus for Mercy
2.  Be Merciful
3.  Completely trust Jesus for Mercy

"If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts."  (Psalm 95: 8 RM)

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You are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing.

"Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart
and yield a harvest through perseverance."  (Cf Luke 8: 15 RM)

Fruitfulness in the kingdom comes through perseverance.  How do we persevere in living the Christian life?  One single day at a time.  At the beginning of the day, ask for the grace to be faithful.  Give thanks at the end of the day.  Repeat the same the next day.  Forget the past.   Entrust the future into the loving hands of God.

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May Your Holy Spirit lead and guide us in all conflict situation.

"But the Pharisees  went out and took counsel against him to put him to death.
"When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place."  (Matthew 12: 14 - 15 NABRE)

How do you deal with conflict?  Even Jesus can walk away from  conflict.   Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to handle conflict.

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You saved my life O Lord. I shall not die.

"I have heard your prayer and seen your tears.
I will heal you."  (Isaiah 38: 5 RM)

"Those live whom the LORD protects; yours is the life of my spirit.
You have given me health and life."  (Isaiah 38: 16 RM)

The Lord gives both life and health.  Jesus still heals today.  Ask for healing with expectant faith.

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Believe me when I tell you: Your yoke is easy and your burden is light.

 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.   Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.   For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”  (Matthew 11: 28-30  NKJV)

What is your yoke/burden today? Why does Jesus say that your yoke is easy and your burden light?
Because the yoke and burden He has designed for you are tailor-made to fit you precisely.

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Such has been Your gracious will Father to reveal to the childlike the mysteries of Your Kingdom.

 "At that time Jesus said in reply,  “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike."  (Matthew 11:25 NABRE)

How do you see yourself before God?  Wise and learned or childlike?
St Teresa of Avila, Doctor of the Church is one of the childlike whom God revealed tons of wisdom.  Example:

"Let nothing trouble you,
let nothing frighten you.
All things are passing;
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
He who possesses God lacks nothing: God alone suffices."  (St Teresa of Avila)

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If your faith is firm, you will also be patient.

"You don’t believe me? If you want me to protect you, you must learn to believe what I  say.”  (Isaiah 7: 9 TLB) 

If your faith is firm, no upheaval in your family, health, finances, job will shake you. 

Faith is taking seriously the promises of God.  Faith is a firm conviction that the promises of God will be fulfilled come what may.  

Think of Abraham, Elijah, Mary, Peter and Paul. 

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