Jesus chose and called those He wanted and then qualified them.

"Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him...... that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach  and to have authority to drive out demons."  (Mark 3: 13 - 14).

Jesus chose 12 ordinary men from a group of disciples first and foremost to be with Him, that means to be His companions and friends.  As they become His close friends, they observe His life and habits. This will be critical when He is no longer with them.

Only after the Apostles have learned enough of His person and purpose did He send them out to preach.

Which comes first for you? To launch yourself into apostolic work or first to know about the Lord through prayer and study?

If you follow the right sequence, you don't need to worry about worldly qualifications. Read and mark this:
"And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory."  (Romans 8:  30 NLT).

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How you can overcome fear.

"In God I trust;  I shall not fear."

The above verse is part of Psalm 56 which David composed at the most dire moment of his life.  Saul the King was hunting David to kill him.  David and his wives, relatives, a small rag tag army were living in enemy country where they suspected he was the man who killed their hero Goliath. David had no choice but to trust God with all his heart, mind and life.

Do you know why God permits you to be fearful for your family, health, finances, job and future?  So that like David, you can turn to Him to heal your fears.  Abba Father, the loving and provident God never intended man to be independent and self-sufficient.  We are fortunate that David had his moments of crisis and fear.  Thanks to this divine providence, we have the incredible revelation in Psalm 56 on how to deal with fear. This is one of my favorite Psalms.

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?.....
Then my enemies will turn back
when I call for help.
By this I will know that God is for me.....
In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid.
"What can man do to me?"  (Psalm 56:  3 - 4, 9 - 11).

"For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith." (1 John 5: 4).

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How David vanquished Goliath.

“My lord should not lose heart. Let your servant go and fight this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17: 32).

The above verse set the stage for the epic battle between David and Goliath.  David was certainly inspired by God to take up this mission.  Note David's reply when Saul tried to dismiss what seemed to him as childish presumption.

“The same Lord who delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul answered David, “Go! the Lord will be with you.” (1 Samuel 17: 37).

Remember all that God has done for you. Your religious experiences are valid and gifts from God. The memory and remembrance will be gold mine for you in future battles.

As the two men joined battle, David said:  “You come against me with sword and spear and scimitar, but I come against you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel whom you have insulted."  (1 Samuel 17: 45).

What is in the Name of God, in the Name of Jesus?
#1 Presence of Jesus
#2 Power of Jesus
#3 Person of Jesus

Know who you are. Know who is on your side.  "If God is for us, who can be against us?"  (Romans 8: 31). I call this Checkmate!

"Blessed be the Lord, my rock,
who trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war;
My safeguard and my fortress, my stronghold, my deliverer,
My shield, in whom I take refuge,
who subdues peoples under me."  (Psalm 144: 1 - 2).

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The Choice, the Call and the Anointing of David as King.

What do you think of the choice, the call and the anointing of David as King?

“Are these all the sons you have?” Jesse replied, “There is still the youngest, but he is tending the sheep.”   (1 Samuel 16: 11).

Note that David is the youngest of the 8 sons of Jesse.  Jesse at first presented Eliab, first son, with the appearance of a General.  "But the Lord said to Samuel: Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. God does not see as a mortal, who sees the appearance. The Lord looks into the heart." (1 Samuel 16: 7).

"Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand, anointed him in the midst of his brothers, and from that day on, the spirit of the Lord rushed upon David."  (1 Samuel 16: 13).

God has found David His and anointed Him as King of Israel. In spite of the human failings of David, God did not reject him. Instead He said of David:

"He shall cry to me, ‘You are my Father, my God, the Rock of my salvation!.....
Forever I will maintain my mercy for him; my covenant with him stands firm. "  (Psalm 89: 27, 29).

David was especially chosen, called and anointed as a key stone in salvation history.

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Presumption is the crime of idolatry.

“What is more pleasing to the Lord:
your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice?
Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams."  (1 Samuel 15: 22)

These are the words of the Prophet Samuel to the Saul, King of Israel.
Is there any area in your life where you believe that hard work, feeding the poor, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick and the imprisoned is a good substitute to simple obedience to God's command?

God says that disobedience to a commandment like "Keep Holy the Lord's Day" is a rebellion as heinous as witchcraft or idolatry. (Cf 1 Samuel 15: 23).

"Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you, your burnt offerings are always before me.....
You hate discipline; you cast my words behind you! (Psalm 50: 8, 17).

"The word of God is living and effective, able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart." (Hebrews 4: 12).

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Behold the Lamb of God. Behold your Savior!

“Behold, the Lamb of God.” (John 1: 36).

You may consider the lamb as little animal for sacrifice. Do not forget that Jesus was born in the manger where lambs for sacrifices were born. (Cf Luke 2: 6).

When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him, he announced enthusiastically, “Behold, the Lamb of God.”

Which of this would describe how you may introduce Jesus to your friends:
#1. Behold my Savior and Redeemer.
#2.  Behold the King of Israel.
#3.   Behold the carpenter from Nazareth.
#4. Behold the Great Rabbi.
#5. Behold the Son of God and Son of Mary.

Decide today who Jesus is for you.

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I desire mercy and loving-kindness and not sacrifice.

"Jesus heard this and said to them [that], “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”  (Mark 2:  16 - 17).

The above conversation took place between Jesus and the Pharisees in the house of Matthew, the tax collector who would become the Evangelist.

We read in the same passage:
"While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him."  (Mark 2: 15).

What do you think?
The Church is a 5-star hotel for saints.
Or
The Church is a hospital for sinners.

Let us consider a few Scriptures on the Mercy of God:

" For I desire mercy and not sacrifice,
And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings."  (Hosea 6: 6).

"Blessed are the merciful: for  they shall obtain mercy." (Matthew 5: 7).

"But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’  you would not have condemned the guiltless." (Matthew 12: 7).

The word Mercy is found in the Bible countless times.  Abba Father Himself is described as the "Father of mercy and God of all consolation."  (2 Corinthians 1: 3).  I like this so much that I use it every morning when I invoke Abba Father for His blessings for the day.

In the Heart of Jesus, we find abundant mercy waiting for everyone.  To receive mercy is as simple as ABC:
+Ask for Mercy.
+Be Merciful.
+Completely trust Jesus for Mercy.

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We don't want to be exceptional. We want a king.

"We too must be like all the nations, with a king to rule us, lead us in warfare, and fight our battles.”   (1 Samuel 8: 20).

In the above passage, Israel rejects their eternal destiny: to be an exceptional, a people unique to God. It was a most uncomfortable place to be.  It is like asking you to sit in the front row during the Sunday Mass.  God wanted a people peculiar to Himself. The people wanted just to be like their neighbors.  The pastor's kid does not want anybody to recognize him as such.

"And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.' This is the message you must give to the people of Israel."  (Exodus 19: 6;  Revelation 1: 6).

Thanks but No Sir.  We just want to be like our neighbors.

The Church is an exceptional People. Yet, we like to compromise with the world on:
* Divorce
* Abortion
* Same sex marriage
* Sunday Observance

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will."  (Romans  12: 2).

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Jesus touched the leper and then healed him.

"A leper came to him [and kneeling down] begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.”  Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.”  The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean."  (Mark 1: 40 - 42).

Jesus touched this leper and then healed him.

A friend of mine who had a medical emergency and was taken to the Emergency Room in a large city. During his 9 hours wait to see a doctor, he mingled with the downtrodden, the homeless, the deranged, etc.  The experience changed him.  Like Jesus, he felt he had touched the "leper".  Have you touched the leper?

The Church reminds us of many opportunities to touch the "leper" through the corporal and spiritual works of mercy:

Corporal Works of Mercy:
1. Feed the hungry
2. Give drink to the thirsty
3. Clothe the naked
4. Shelter the homeless
5. Visit the sick
6. Visit the imprisoned
7. Bury the dead

"Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.”  (Mark 1:  41).

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How Jesus prays.

"Rising very early before dawn, Jesus left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed."  (Mark 1: 35).

Let us consider Jesus habit of Prayer:

Jesus prays:
#1. At a Sacred Time (Probably 5 am).
#2. In a Sacred Place (Deserted Place).
#3. With a Sacred Intention (Conversing with the Father).

The above 3 habits of Sacred Time, Sacred Place and Sacred Intention are the Best Practice in Christian tradition in Prayer. They are 3 habits of the saints.

Don’t allow anybody to deceive you with the falsehood that you are not a morning person. My good friend who is not a "morning person" works for a multinational company that operates 24 hours. He is always ready to jump out of bed any time they call to go to work.  But if it is to get up early for prayer or Church, you are quickly reminded  that he is not a "morning person".

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."  (Romans  12: 2).

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This is a new teaching with authority.

"Jesus came to Capernaum with his followers, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught.  (Mark 1: 21).

Jesus as a good and practicing Jew who observed all the Law of Moses especially those that deal with Sabbath observance.  His disagreement with the teachers of the Law gave Him the opportunity to enlarge the Law and bring out the true intentions of God with regard to the Sabbath. Jesus did not come to abolish the Sabbath. The Sabbath transferred to Sunday in the Christian era to celebrate in perpetuity the Resurrection of Jesus the Redeemer.

How faithful are you with your Sunday observance?  Do you know that next to the New Law of Love, KEEP HOLY THE LORD’S DAY may be the most important Law in the Book.  How can you love unless the Holy Spirit of love lives in you. How are you refreshed with the Holy Spirit except through His word and worship in community on Sundays?
Beware of creating your own rules.

"The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes."  (Mark 1: 22).

Jesus taught the word of God with disarming simplicity.  He did not attend the Rabbinic school of the type of Rabbi Gamaliel. He was anointed with Holy Spirit to teach.
You too can receive the same anointing.  Teachers are needed in the Church. Jesus is hiring every day.

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The Baptism of the Lord Jesus.

"After the Lord was baptized, the heavens were opened,
and the Spirit descended upon him like a dove, and the voice of the Father thundered:
This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."  (Cf Matthew 3: 16 - 17).

Today is the Feast of Baptism of the Lord, the end of the Christmas Season.

"I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the holy Spirit.”  (Mark 1: 8).

"So they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the holy Spirit.... Now Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people. (Acts 6: 5, 8).

On the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord we reflect briefly on the Person and work of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is the Lord and Giver of Abundant life (Cf John 10: 10).
He is the Principal Agent in the Evangelization ministry of the Church.
He is the Source of inspiration and power.

Do you want to be on fire like St Stephen? Then pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Pray for the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit.  It shall be given to you.

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The Infant Jesus is manifested to the whole world.

"We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.”  (Matthew 2: 2).

The Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord this Sunday.
Epiphany means the manifestation of divine effect or power.  This is the day when the Divine Child Jesus was shown or revealed to Gentiles represented by the three Wise Men.

"They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother." (Matthew 2: 10 - 11).

"They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh."  (Matthew 2: 11).

What lessons does the mystery of the Epiphany hold for us?   Consider these three :

#1.   Salvation is for all people, Jews and Gentiles. 
#2.  The power and sovereignty of God is universal.  All people and all things obey Him. (Psalm 119:  91) 
#3.  The three Wise Men brought their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to Jesus.  Bring your sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving to Jesus every Sunday in the Eucharist.

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Do you accept the testimony of the Father on behalf of His Son?

"If we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is surely greater."  (1 John 5: 9).

Consider the following anomaly:
Many people have no problem trusting the following entities:
%Government
%Doctors
%Scientists
%Teachers
Etc

But they have the greatest difficulty in trusting the Church.  But the Church is by far, a faithful,  trustworthy and credible witness to truth than the above entities.
Consider the following facts:
#1.  2000 years of recorded history.
#2. Sent missionaries to pagan and barbaric Britain and France in the 5th and 3rd century respectively.
3#. Founded the first University in Bologna, Italy in 1088.
#4. Witnessed the birth of all the modern countries in the world.

"The heavens were opened and the voice of the Father thundered:
This is my beloved Son. Listen to him."  (Cf Mark 9: 6).

The Church has borne continuous witness to Jesus Christ by word, miracle and by blood.

"Now the testimony of God is this, that he has testified on behalf of his Son."  (1 John 5: 9).

Do you believe the testimony of the Father on behalf of His Son?

"Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar by not believing the testimony God has given about his Son."  (1 John 5: 10).

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Can anything good come from Nazareth?

“Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (John 1:  46).

The above statement was the disparaging remarks of the future apostle Nathaniel (Bartholomew) when Philip told him about Jesus. Jesus was very gracious when the two men met face to face.  Jesus did not refer to the prejudice. Instead, he complimented Nathaniel:  “Here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him.” (John 1: 47).

There are many prejudices in the world: racial, sex, class, those who come from the North against the South, linguistic prejudices, etc.

No matter your situation, there are people out there who believe you are inferior to them.  How do you handle such situation?
Think of Jesus encounter with Nathaniel.  Be gracious.

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Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the First Friday of 2018.

January 5th, First Friday in 2018.
Start the Year strong by honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus. See yourself stronger by July and finish in December in top form and count your blessings.

Jesus promised 12 special favors to all those who will honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month.

#1. "I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life."

What does Jesus mean by the state of life? Every human being lives in one of two states:  married life for majority of people and single state.  In the single state, there are men and women who have committed themselves to Consecrated life. Look at at the needs below and see that they are not the same always for the two groups.  Wherever you find yourself is your predestined means for holiness and passport to heaven.

In Promise #1, the Lord promises to provide all the graces necessary in all the circumstances of life, viz:
Family, Health, Money, Job, Possessions and Tools, Food, Future.   Please remember that the Lord Jesus knows exactly what you need and when you need it. Trust Him.

Remind the Lord often of these promises.

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Friday, 5th of January 2018.

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For the full list of the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, click the link below:

http://sfjweb.com/?q=content/sacred-heart-12-promises

Let no one deceive you.

"Let no one deceive you."  (1 John 3: 7).

St James gave this grim warning:  "Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly."  (James 3: 1).

There are today proliferation of teachers and teachings about the Christian faith. And there are many contradictions among the teachings.  Are we in the Last Days?  Listen to the Apostle Paul instructing Timothy:
"Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons."  (1 Timothy 4: 1).

What are you to do if Scripture urges you:  "Let no one deceive you."  (1 John 3: 7).  Is Scripture saying that you are responsible for your faith? For what you believe? For your eternal destiny?

The Scriptures also say:
"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world."  (1 John 4: 1).

Do not believe that every teacher with a big church, a long resume, many academic credentials after his name has necessarily the seed of God in him and is begotten of God. (1 John 3: 9).

"By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?"  (Matthew 7: 16).

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What is in the Name of Jesus?

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11).

"She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”  (Matthew 1 : 21)

“I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, rise and walk.”  (Acts 3: 6).
The crippled man rose and walked.

What is in a name?  In Sacred Scriptures, name and mission are always linked.  A special name is often a pointer to one's destiny.

Consider the following:
#1.  "Hallowed be Thy Name." (Matthew 6: 9)
#2.  "Thou shall not invoke the Name of the Lord thy God in vain." (Exodus 20: 7)
#3.  "At the Name of Jesus, every knee should bend.."  (Philippians 2: 10 - 11)

Jesus means Savior (Yeshua).  Jesus Name means what it signifies and signifies what it means.   According to St Bernard of Clairvaux, Father and Doctor of the Church, "The sweet name of Jesus produces in us holy thoughts, fills the soul with noble sentiments, strengthens virtue, and nourishes pure affections.... This name is the cure for all diseases of the soul."

Do you know that the Name of Jesus is a complete prayer?   "Jesus Son of David have mercy on me."  In emergency, you may simply pray: JESUS.  This invocation brings the Presence, Power and Person of Jesus to you.  It is not magic.  You must invoke it with faith.

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Who are you?

“Who are you?” (John 1: 19).

"Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you. If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will remain in the Son and in the Father.  (1 John 2: 24).

At the end of 1986, following a serious career crisis while working for Unilever in Paris, the Lord used Exodus 14: 13 - 14 to assure me of His Presence and help. God wanted me to remain a spectator while He would be the Actor. The problem was resolved with wonders.  As a result of this incident, I vowed to read Sacred Scripture every day of my life.  That was 30 years today.

At the end 1996, 10 years later, the Holy Spirit inspired me to switch from reading the Bible chronologically to reading it with the Church using the Roman Missal. That was 20 years today.

Brothers and sisters, "The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it."  (1 Thessalonians 5: 24).

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Do whatever Jesus tells you.

"Hail, Holy Mother, who gave birth to the King, who rules heaven and earth for ever."  (Cf. Isaiah 9: 1, 5; Luke 1: 33 RM, Entrance Antiphon - Solemnity of Mary).

The Church world-wide celebrates today, January 1st 2018, the Solemnity of Mary the Holy Mother of God).

Mary's chief role in the economy of salvation is that of Intercession.  "Do whatever He tells you."  (John 2: 5).

All the readings for today's solemn liturgy points to how eager God is to bless you and me.  We shall take the First Reading from the Book of Numbers:

"The LORD said to Moses:
“Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them:  This is how you shall bless the Israelites.
Say to them: The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!
So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them.”  (Numbers 6: 22 - 27).

Abba Father is a gracious, merciful and loving Father who wants to give His children the very best of gifts.  Ask therefore for the very best.  Ask for the Holy Spirit. (Luke 11: 13). Plead for Wisdom. (1 Kings 3: 11; 2 Chronicles 1: 11; 1 Kings 4: 29). Ask for Faith (Luke 17: 6; Matthew 17: 20).  Be bold. Ask for great gifts.  Not peanuts.

SeekFirst Community wishes you and all your loved ones a 2018 filled with the Presence of the Holy Spirit, Wisdom and Faith.

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