"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.
"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.
"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.
"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)
"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.
"If you love your father and mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine.
“If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give it up for me, you will save it. (Matthew 10: 37 - 39 TLB)
Tough prescriptions from Jesus. Believe. Do not argue. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to live out these truths.
"But I pray to you, Lord,
in the time of your favor;
in your great love, O God,
answer me with your sure salvation.
Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me." (Psalm 69: 13, 16 NIV
"The humble shall see their God at work for them. No wonder they will be so glad! All who seek for God shall live in joy. For Jehovah hears the cries of his needy ones and does not look the other way." (Psalm 69: 32-33 TLB)
Wait for the Lord with courage. Do not despair.
"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” (Isaiah 6: 9 NIV)
I will bear witness to You in the world O Jesus. I will spread the knowledge of Your name among my brothers and sisters.
"When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking — it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." (Matthew 10: 19-20 NLT)
The Holy Spirit is the Helper who is always present to aid us. Be aware of this. He is the Voice that speaks in court.
"Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me." (Psalm 51: 11)
"Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11: 28 NLT)
Come to Jesus in prayer. He is waiting for you. Come to Him in His word. He is the word. He is in the word. Come to Him in the Eucharist, which is the source, center and summit of our life. Come to Him in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. His inexhaustible Mercy is waiting to embrace you. Murmur His sweet and powerful Name always. It is terror to demons.
"Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness." (Matthew 10: 1 NLT)
Lord we believe. Increase our faith that in Your Name, even in 2016 we can still drive out demons and cure every disease and illness.
"The people have appointed kings without my consent, and princes without my approval.
By making idols for themselves from their silver and gold, they have brought about their own destruction." (Hosea 8: 4 NLT)
In the year of election, Hosea is warning the nation about electing president without consulting the Lord. Hitler was elected.
"Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment." (Matthew 9: 22 NIV)
A woman suffering from hemorrhages for 12 years mixed courage with faith and got her healing. Be bold with expectant faith when you ask Jesus for anything.
"Let the peace of Christ contol your hearts;
let the word of Christ dwell in you richly." (Colossians 3: 15, 16 RM)
Where do you need peace in your life today? Health, Family, Money, Job, Possessions, Food, Future? If the word of God dwells richly in you, you will know the source of true peace.
"People do not put new wine into old wineskins." (Matthew 9: 17 NABRE)
Have you tasted the new wine of the Holy Spirit? New wine, fresh skins!
“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” (Matthew 9: 11 NIV)
Why is your pastor so different from other pastors we know? Why is he so and so? Why does he do this and that? Allow yourself to be surprised by Mercy. "I desire mercy, not sacrifice." (Matthew 9: 13)
"The law of the Lord is perfect (flawless), restoring and refreshing the soul;
The statutes of the Lord are reliable and trustworthy, making wise the simple." (Psalm 19: 7 AMP)
Be a student of the word. Meditate on it. Share the word with family, friends and colleagues. Pray the word. You will see how rich your reward will be.
"And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16: 18 NABRE)
We are Christ's soldiers. Through the power of Jesus, we will ram down the gates of hell and all demonic strongholds.
On the solemn feast of Saints Peter and Paul, we wish a happy feast day to pillars and foundation of the Church.
"And the disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us, we are going to die!” He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was [at once] a great and wonderful calm [a perfect peacefulness]." (Matthew 8: 25 - 26 AMP)
Are you swamped by one trial after another? Cry out to Jesus in expectant faith. He is close to you. He will help you.
"Then one of the teachers of religious law said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.” (Matthew 8: 19 - 20 NLT)
Will you quit if the cost of discipleship becomes unbearable? Jesus had no apartment or home. He did not have a servant or income.
Lord, I am afraid. Help me to trust You Jesus.
