Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.

"Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I cry to you all the day long.
O Lord, you are good and forgiving,
full of mercy to all who call to you."  (Cf Psalm 86: 3, 5 RM)

It is great to know that God is good and merciful.  I found myself in a distressing situation at work this afternoon.  Then I glanced at the image of Divine Mercy and cried out, "Have mercy on me Jesus."  I sensed these words in my heart:  "Be merciful yourself."  "Lord, whom will I be merciful to?"  "The person sharing this work with you."  OK.  I agreed.  At this point, I completely trusted Jesus for mercy and peace flooded my heart.  NEVER FORGET THE ABC OF MERCY.

Seekfirst.blogspot.com

Our soul waits for the Lord, who is our help and our shield.

"He chose what the world thinks is ·unimportant [insignificant; lowly] and what the world ·looks down on [despises] and thinks is nothing in order to destroy what the world thinks is ·important [something special].  God did this so that no one can ·brag [boast] in his presence."  (1 Corinthians 1: 28 -  29 EXB)

God's ways are not our ways.  God is mindful of the humble state of His servant.  (Luke 1: 48). He brings down rulers from their thrones and lifts up the humble.  (Luke 1: 52).
If you consider yourself unimportant and insignificant, rejoice.  God can use you.

Seekfirst.blogspot.com

Be vigilant at all times and pray, that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.

"Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep."  (Matthew 25: 5 NABRE)

The Second Coming of Jesus is delayed on purpose so that many will be saved.  The End of the age will come suddenly without warning.  Delaying putting your house in order is a severe risk.  A word is enough for the wise.

Seekfirst.blogspot.com

So too, you must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.

"Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come." (Matthew 24: 42 NABRE)

Let us stay awake through daily prayer and feeding on the word of God.  Stay awake through regular fellowship with the Household of God especially on Sundays.
Do not postpone building up your most sacred faith by saying "My master is long delayed."   The Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.

Seekfirst.blogspot.com

Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.

“Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”  (Revelation 21: 9 NIV)

Who is the Bride, the Wife of the Lamb? It is the Church which is becoming for all the nations the Sacrament of Salvation.  As we proclaim the salvation of God day by day and tell people His great glory, we participate actively in ushering the Kingdom of God.
Don’t be left behind.

Seekfirst.blogspot.com

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.

Seekfirst.blogspot.com

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)

Seekfirst.blogspot.com

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.

Seekfirst.blogspot.com

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!

Seekfirst.blogspot.com

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.

Seekfirst.blogspot.com

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.

Seekfirst.blogspot.com

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?

Seekfirst.blogspot.com

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)

Seekfirst.blogspot.com

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)

Seekfirst.blogspot.com

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.

Seekfirst.blogspot.com

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.

Seekfirst.blogspot.com

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?

Seekfirst.blogspot.com

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)

Seekfirst.blogspot.com

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.

Seekfirst.blogspot.com

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.

Seekfirst.blogspot.com