The word of God is living and active, able to deliver comfort and strength to the soul every day.

"May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and in his grace gave us unfailing courage and a firm hope,  encourage you and strengthen you to always do and say what is good."  (2 Thessalonians 2: 16 -  17 GNT)

How do Jesus and Abba Father strengthen and encourage us?
First, we are given the word to live by every day. Secondly, we enjoy peace of heart and mind.  Last but not the least, we have the solid knowledge that our destiny lies in His hands.  Therefore nothing can ever shake us.  See that you stand firm on these truths.

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We always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of His calling.

"We ought always to thank God for you,brothers and sisters,[b] and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing."  (2 Thessalonians 1: 3 -  4 NIV)

Today is the feast of the Queenship of Mary.  Why should God crown Mary as Queen and Mother? Because He is God and can do anything.  Mary is the Queen Mother of the Son of God.  If Solomon can crown his mother Bethsheba Queen Mother, why not God?  (1 Kings 2: 19)

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Endure your hardships as discipline.

"Endure your trials as “discipline”; God treats you as sons. For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline?"  (Hebrews 12: 7 NABRE)

Scripture says that the Lord disciplines every son He loves and every son He acknowledges He scourges so that he will be strong and wise, know how to fight and win.  Then discipline me Abba Father.  Only have mercy on me.

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Abba Father, in Your infinite wisdom, You know better than I what is best for me.

"You have one Father in heaven;
you have but one master, the Christ."  (Matthew 23: 9b RM)

We have one Father.  I love to call Him Abba Father.  Father, I believe that You are a Father to me at every moment of my life.  I believe that I am Your child and that You love me with an infinite love.  Teach me to surrender myself to You like a baby in its mother’s arms.  Amen!

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Prophesy over your dried bones.

"Son of man, can these bones come back to life?"  (Ezekiel 37: 3 NABRE)

Whatever your life situation, whatever your distress, God invites you to first count all your dried bones and then fire up your faith and prophesy over them one by one.  With faith, no hope is ever lost.

Lord Jesus, grant us the faith that revives our dried bones into flesh and spirit.

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If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts.

"You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise."  (Psalm 51: 16 - 17 NIV)

What are sacrifices? Fasting, almsgiving, self-denials, etc.  What does God prefer we offer?

The ABC OF MERCY:
1.  ASK JESUS FOR MERCY.
2. BE MERCIFUL.
3. COMPLETELY TRUST JESUS FOR MERCY.

Simple? Apparently.
Challenging?  Definitely.

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Do not be envious because I am generous.

"‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’
 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.
“He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’" (Matthew 20: 6-7 NIV)

There is no unemployment in the Kingdom.  There is so much to do and work for everyone.  Everyone is qualified.   Jesus Himself promises:  "I will pay you what is just."  (Matthew 20: 4)
Do you trust Jesus?

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God alone is the Master of death and life.

“How could one chase a thousand,
And two put ten thousand to flight,
Unless their Rock had sold them,
And the Lord had given them up?"  (Deuteronomy 32: 30 AMP)

Do you recognize an extraordinary event, a miracle when you see one?
Is your attitude: "By my wisdom and my intelligence I have made riches for myself"?  (Ezekiel 28: 4)

A fool says in his heart: There is no God.  (Psalm 14: 1)

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It is God who deals death and gives life.

“How could one chase a thousand,
And two put ten thousand to flight,
Unless their Rock had sold them,
And the Lord had given them up?"  (Deuteronomy 32: 30 AMP)

Do you recognize an extraordinary event, a miracle when you see one?
Is your attitude: "By my wisdom and my intelligence I have made riches for myself"?  (Ezekiel 28: 4)

A fool says in his heart: There is no God.  (Psalm 14: 1)

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Blessed are you who believed that what the Lord promised you would be fulfilled.

"Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.   In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!  But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"  (Luke 1: 41- 43 NABRE)

Today is the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary, Mother of our Lord.  Elizabeth filled with the Holy Spirit proclaimed Mary as blessed because she believed the word of God. 
Do you struggle believing God's promises to you?  What happened to Mary in her Assumption into Heaven is our destiny too.

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My sheep hear my voice and they follow Me.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us  while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith."  (Hebrews 12: 1 -  2 NABRE)

Our departed brethren, now saints, have lived the Christian life successfully.  They enjoy their rewards in heaven.  We too must run this race to win, fixing our eyes on Jesus who is holding our price beckoning us to the finish line.

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The mysteries of Divine Providence are known by the little ones.

"Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom."  (Matthew 11: 25 RM)

Little children do not have exaggerated opinion of themselves.  They are aware that they depend on their parents for everything.
The mysteries of the Kingdom are the beautiful truths of Divine Providence.

"Cast all your burden on Me and I will sustain you because I care for you."  (Cf 1 Peter 5: 7)
Do you believe this?

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Receive the word of God not as the word of men.

"God is my savior;  I will trust him and not be afraid.
The Lord gives me power and strength; he is my savior. As fresh water brings joy to the thirsty, so God's people rejoice when he saves them.”  (Isaiah 12: 2-3 GNT)

What do you do when you are afraid of bad news from your doctor,  finances and investments, job or children?  If you have not prepared ahead of time what to do, you may cry yourself to despair.

Those who put their trust in the Lord fear no bad news.  (Psalm 112: 7)

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I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.

“Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”  (Matthew 18: 21 NIV)

Complete forgiveness from the heart is difficult for us.  Excessive mercy is divine policy not human.  To enjoy God's mercy, we must be merciful.  Pray for one who offended you continuously till the poison drains from your heart.

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Whoever serves Me must follow Me.

"Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit."  (John 12: 24 NABRE)

What is your grain of wheat or "first born" that must die?  Health, Family, Finances, Job, Tools and Possessions?  What do you fear most to sacrifice?  Abraham was asked to sacrifice Isaac, his first born.  Abba Father actually sacrificed Jesus His First Born.  Abundant fruit and salvation comes from sacrifice.

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Jesus meek and humble of heart, make our hearts like Yours.

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves."  (Matthew 11: 29 NABRE)

Consider the meekness and humility of Jesus for a moment.   Although He was full God and full Man, He assumed all the rigors of our humanity.  He started life as an apprentice carpenter.  Then He was a self-employed carpenter businessman for about 18 years.  He experienced the up and downs of self-employment.  He waited patiently for the Call of His Father to start His ministry.

Lord Jesus, say to me again:  "Forget your foolish pride."

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We are chosen and called to possess the glory of the Lord Jesus.

"God has called you through the Gospel to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."  (Cf 2 Thessalonians 2: 14)

The Gospel means simply the good news.  If you are reading this today, know for certain that God has called you to a ministry.  To possess the glory of the Lord Jesus,  you must first be possessed by Jesus, the Pearl of the greatest price.  (Matthew 13: 45 - 46)

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By faith Abraham received power to generate, even though he was past the normal age.

"What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead."  (Hebrews 11: 1 TLB)

If faith is so critical for our life in the Spirit, how do we grow in faith?
Start with faithfulness to prayer and daily feeding of the word of God.

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Help us Jesus to listen and understand what You are saying to us.

"In a resplendent cloud the Holy Spirit appeared.
The Father’s voice was heard: This is my Beloved Son,
with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him."  (Cf Matthew 17: 5 RM)

As we celebrate today the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord,  we rejoice in the truth that Jesus is the beloved Son of the Father.  We believe in One God: Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.

Father, help us to always listen to Your Son Jesus.

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First Friday in August 2016

First Friday in August -  Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

#9th Promise of the Sacred Heart of Jesus:
"I will bless the homes in which the image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed and honored."

This promise is so easy to fulfill and yet the benefits are enormous.  You can purchase a framed image of the Sacred Heart or print one of the Internet.  Place it in a good location in your bedroom or sitting room.  Glance lovingly at this image from time to time.  Now enjoy the graces that flows from so simple an act of faith.

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